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.

Watch Tim’s Video

Read Tim’s Reflection

What goals did you set for yourself at the beginning of the program?

At the inception of the course, my primary objective was to acquire comprehensive knowledge about coaching in general and to understand the historical context of coaching at my school. As a novice in the realm of coaching, without prior experience, I aimed to engage extensively with seasoned coaches in our bi-weekly chats and leverage all available resources to enhance my learning.

How did each milestone support you in reaching your goal?

Each milestone functioned as a critical focal point, ensuring that I remained aligned with my overarching objective. The beauty of these milestones lay in their adaptability, allowing me to tailor my accomplishments to my specific circumstances. This flexibility was pivotal in facilitating my success within the program especially due to the health issues my family encountered.

What has been your biggest area of growth in the program?

My most significant area of growth has been in recognizing the value of relying on others for assistance. This realization became evident when plans for meetings had to be repeatedly adjusted due to unforeseen events. It’s been profoundly encouraging to know that I’m part of a school with such a wealth of talented educators.

Where do you still have room to grow?

I still need to improve my proficiency in utilizing data effectively. This shortcoming was evident in my roles as both a program leader and a coach this school year. Understanding the importance of measuring our impact through both quantitative and qualitative data is crucial. Without concrete evidence, it was challenging to substantiate my claims of effectiveness.

What would you do differently next time? What did you learn?

Reflecting on my experiences, the four key lessons I’ve gleaned are: embrace flexibility, plan proactively, seek collaboration, and collect clear data. To prepare for the upcoming school year, I’ve already created a comprehensive calendar, which I hope will provide a clear roadmap and establish milestones for the colleagues I coach to follow.

How did the Coach support you in your learning journey?

The Coach provided unwavering support throughout my journey; from well-structured courses and outlines to cohort meetings and personal interactions with Kim at EARCOS, I consistently felt supported. The Coach offered specific strategies tailored to my personal situation while granting me the autonomy to be creative and innovative.

How has your learning inside the Coach impacted your coaching practice and program in your school setting?

The Coach has transformed my school into a more collaborative community. By fostering stronger relationships with all involved parties, this collaborative spirit is set to grow exponentially. Teachers I’ve worked with are now better equipped to share their expertise with new and incoming educators, further enhancing co-teaching and the implementation of brain frames.

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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!