Coaching: A Good Model to Support Growth

“A Coach is Someone that Sees Beyond Your Limits and Guides You to Greatness!” — Michael Jordan

For me when I heard the word coach my mind automatically went to sports. I do not know the history of coaching in the educational arena or business world but I am glad that they are using this model as a way to invest and grow employees.

When I was consulting with schools, I had a window into effective leadership practices and ineffective practices. As I have mentioned in previous posts, my career has been completely in the public district school model. As a consultant I worked with many charter networks nationwide. Each method has pros and cons. Today I am going to discuss coaching as it relates to growth.

Let’s start where I came from as a district school employee. My experience was to have three observations a year. This was especially needed the first three years to achieve tenure. What an ineffective model. I spent hours trying to plan the perfect lesson which we all know is impossible. There is nothing about this model that builds trust or relationship between the observer and the person being observed. Thankfully I was growth minded and looked for every opportunity for professional development trainings to help me grow in my career. This method has a very different feel than a weekly growth or coaching model.

Every charter school that I worked with used a weekly coaching model for teachers. I personally worked with several colleagues that worked in charter schools before becoming University level literacy trainers that were only in their late 20’s early 30’s. When we worked together, they were already highly skilled and knowledgeable literacy trainers at such a young age. I kept asking myself, how did they get to be so good so fast? They don’t have the necessary life experience to support schools effectively. Boy was I wrong. What I soon learned is that each of them were fortunate to have worked for organizations that believed in and invested in weekly coaching. This model ensures teachers have support to learn new skills quickly, set weekly growth goals that are constantly tracked until achieved or revised and are fully prepared for upcoming lessons. It also provided teachers with support to troubleshoot areas of concern and build their ability to analyze student data to help keep the class on track as well as making sure struggling students are supported.

Teacher coaching often follows one of these methods: observed by coach and provided with written feedback, deliver in the moment feedback, observed modeled instruction or lessons, engaging in co-observations with the teacher and coach watching videos or observing an exemplar teacher. In addition, weekly professional development was provide. Often I had the privilege of providing that professional development training. In some instances, teachers received coaching twice a week along with the two hour a week professional development training. Additionally, they had a weekly 1:1 meeting with their coach to help unleash their potential so their students as well as themselves can reach their full potential. Contrast all these learning opportunities with three observations and some trainings. Logically where is intentional growth going to occur? Through the coaching model.

Sometimes the future looks so daunting and unattainable. As in the photo above, the goal is attainable with guidance and support from the coach. I am fortunate to have a personal coach that encourages an nurtures me but also pushes me to do uncomfortable things that I don’t want to do. I find it interesting that in the moments when the doubts and discouragement set in there he is to provide unsolicited words of encouragement just when I need it to help me keep going. The coaching model allows for relationship to develop as well as a level of trust that is not usually present during the three observation a year model.

Tomorrow I am going to discuss 5 ways that coaching can support growth.

Please take a moment to click this link and share your information with me. I would LOVE to hear from you.

Information coming soon about the FREE Learning For Life Summit Event that is taking place February 24 & 25!

“Once you learn to read, you will be forever free.”

― Frederick Douglass

The joy is in the journey!

Blessings and Peace,,

Mary