We want to give you a peek inside our Coach Certificate & Mentorship Program. Coaches taking part in this academic-year-long journey have graciously given us permission to post some of their learning and reflections from the private coursework they are undertaking during this program. Where possible, we have shared the course and the action task to give context for the guest post.

The Topic: Phase 3: Grow Community

The Task: Share your artifact and a written reflection on your learning during this phase.

What were your key “aha” moments during Phase 3: Grow Community?

The article 8 Common Leadership Styles brought me to a few “aha” moments. Understanding your leadership style is important because it allows you to be more effective and make improvements where necessary. Each style has its own unique pros and cons. As a technology coach, creativity and innovation are critical elements of my position and it was interesting to reflect on how creativity and innovation may be stifled in rigid, transactional environments. Creating a space that is trustworthy and safe is an environment I strive to create when partnering with teachers.

The biggest aha moment for me was after reading the article, “Stop Talking Tech: 3 Tips for Pedagogy”. Focusing solely on technology can be alienating for teachers. Most teachers don’t care about technology as much as they care about creating authentic learning experiences. Coaches should approach teachers as learning partners and ask questions about specific learning activities and areas where the teacher might be interested in collaborating.

What artifact did you choose to create and share?

I am sharing two artifacts for my Milestone 3. The FIRST ARTIFACT is a graph of data showcasing the various coaching interactions that I have had with teachers. I have separated the interactions into categories such as consulting, coaching conversation, classroom visit (observe), co-planning, co-teaching, and modeling. After reflecting on the data, I have set a personal goal for myself to increase the number of teachers I co-plan with. This goal aligns with my focus on best instructional practices and creating authentic learning experiences for students.

The SECOND ARTIFACT is a year-long plan that shows the instructional practices I will be focusing on, which are tied together by a theme for each marking period. I have identified three ways to share information with teachers, including newsletters, podcasts, tech tips, and I have also included gamified professional development opportunities. This approach provides multiple avenues for teachers to engage with the content, and it is designed to give teachers multiple entry points to grow professionally.

Overall, these artifacts demonstrate my commitment to improving teaching practices in my district. By focusing on best practices and creating authentic learning experiences for students, I am confident that I can make a positive impact on the educational outcomes of the students in my district.

Why did you choose to create this artifact?

I created these artifacts to demonstrate my progress and growth as a coach. The graph of coaching interactions shows my coaching practices and helps me set a goal to improve my co-planning with teachers. The year-long plan will keep me focused on the instructional practices that will truly create change.

What did you learn in the creation of this artifact?

I learned it is important to track and analyze data. I was able to identify an area of focus and set a personal goal.

How has this artifact moved you closer to growing a community in your coaching role or program?

By sharing the graph and year-long plan with teachers and administrators, I am demonstrating my commitment to improving teaching practices and creating meaningful professional development opportunities.

Where are you at in terms of community in your coaching role or program right now?

By creating a cohesive and accessible professional development plan, I am fostering a sense of community and collaboration among teachers. Our opportunity for gamified learning creates a relaxed, fun atmosphere for teachers to engage in professional conversations.

What are the next steps you need to take to further grow your community in your coaching role or program?

I need to foster more collaboration among teachers by creating opportunities for them to work together, share their experiences, and learn from each other. This can include creating online discussions, scheduling collaborative planning sessions, or facilitating peer observations.

Read more from The Coach participants as they share their learning from the certificate & mentorship program…

Kelly: Seeing Yourself as a Leader

Tracey: Tracking Coaching

Amber: Conversation Resources

Nicola: Coaching Cycle Roadmap

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Level Up Your Coaching with The Coach!

If you are ready to dive deep into your coaching practice, to help you #coachbetter and build a thriving coaching culture in your school, please join us for our next cohort of The Coach!

Wherever you are in building a coaching culture in your school, The Coach will give you the strategies, skills and tools you need to make coaching a success and will empower you to confidently apply instructional coaching strategies in any situation – from building a coaching program, to having coaching conversations, to being a leader in your school community. We facilitate only one cohort each academic year so we can offer individualized support for each participant.

Coaches of all levels are welcome: you’ll start the program with a self-assessment to determine exactly what the next steps are for you!