COACH. flickr photo by MIKI Yoshihito. (#mikiyoshihito) shared under a Creative Commons (BY) license
This post was completed as part of Eduro learning coaching course taken between January and March of 2017 just adding to blog now.
Hi,
It has been great to look at some readings this week and begin to get my head around how to be a good coach to teachers in my school. This blog from Kim (http://kimcofino.com/blog/2009/08/02/lessons-learned-tips-for-new-technology-facilitators/) was my starting point to considering who to choose to coach for this course. I am currently a full time class teacher as well as the Math coordinator so my time for coaching is unfortunately limited but I still hope to stick tp the principals outlined here. The first point about it all being about relationships helped me to clarify who I wanted to work with. Susan is new to my school this year but is the MAth representatvie for her Year group. This means we have already established a good professional relationship including meetings and observations but we are not close friends which could have made some elements of coaching challenging. Also Kim’s idea of “starting small” works for Susan as I already know her to be a reflective and enthusiatic educator who will be open to the coaching process.
These two blog posts from Edna Sackson: https://whatedsaid.wordpress.com/2014/12/06/coaching-for-learning/
https://whatedsaid.wordpress.com/2015/03/07/teacher-coaching/
Gave me some great tips for what I need to do going forward especially in my earky meetings and discussions with my “coachee”. The improtance of listening and ensuring that this is seen as a “growth process” not an “evaluative one” is very important to me as I know the feeling that teachers have when they feel they are being constantly evaluated. It doesn’t work, doesn’t encpurage change and often results in teachers avoiding or not engaging in the process.
These 5 practices for student-centered coaching (https://dianesweeney.com/top-5-practices-student-centered-coaching/) are something I will keep in mind and strive to achieve over this course.
My goal for the next 6 weeks is to work well with Susan and ensure that this is a devlopmental 6 weeks for both of us. My goal is to helo Susan achiveve one of her goals by the end of this process.
Let the journey begin
Paul