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 Tina’s Video

Read Tina’s Reflection

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

I really wanted to gain new skills, achiever greater clarity around coaching, and grow professionally . A goal I had was to take my teaching experience and merge them with specialized coaching skills.

How did each milestone support you in reaching your goal?

I felt like my tool box was increasing with each milestone. Each milestone gave me a different aspect and a practical use of what could be used in a coaching cycle. The milestones gave me a starting point. It also made me reflect on our own coaching program at my school.

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

I feel I have had a few areas of growth. I gained confidence as a coach after completing one coaching cycle and a mini one. I was able to use the artifacts I created in The Coach. I have a true understanding of what a coaching role entails. Also understanding the different layers of coaching, such as marketing yourself, being intentional when asking teachers to participate in a coaching cycle.

Where do you still have room to grow?

Understanding each type of coaching role and being able to seamlessly weave in and out of each type of coaching role. Feeling comfortable with the coaching questions.

What surprises and/or challenges have you had along the way?

I was surprised at how much preparation goes on behind the scenes of coaching. The Coach was more challenging than I anticipated. I thought it would be easier because I believed I had a basic understanding of coaching, but I quickly realized there was so much more to learn. It surprises me that people are resistant to a coach cycle when it is really someone reaching out to help you get better at your craft.

What would you do differently next time?

I would stay on top of my course work. I would not doubt myself and reach out sooner to colleagues to get some practice in with the question part of the coaching cycle to build that trust.

How did the Coach support you in your learning journey?

The Coach supported me in many ways. It gave me the tools to get started with my coaching journey. Because I created those tools, I am more likely to reflect on them more and tweak them, rather than if I was just handed a tool. The cohort group was very helpful because it gave a practical outlook on the skills we were learning. It also gave us a chance to discuss solutions. It was a supportive group in addition to Diana who is so supportive and models coaching so well.

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

It has made me think more about our coaching program at school and how there needs to be a common shared language amongst the coaches. For my coaching practice, I hope to engage in more conversations around coaching using the tools I created in the program and be reflective about those tools.

What next for your professional learning?

I need to continue to practice the coaching cycle by reaching out to more teachers, requesting them to participate in a coaching cycle. I think I might more willing teachers at the beginning of the year. I would also like to create a needs assessment doc. so that I can be more responsive to the teachers’ specific needs leading to a more successful conversation.

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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!