by IU PIIC Mentors Jen Herncane and Diane Hubona

PIIC nourishes collaboration and communication in every aspect, so when we were asked to co-author this blog, we brainstormed, “What are three purposeful steps to foster success in coaching programs in schools?” We both agreed, without much debate, to thrive in coaching there are three key goals:

1. Establish a clear coaching focus.

2. Focus on student learning.

3. Develop collaborative professional learning opportunities for coaches as well as teachers.

Ah, February. The month when love is in the air. You may appreciate or despise or even be indifferent towards Valentine’s Day, but there is no denying that our society makes February synonymous with the four-letter “L” word.

Classical mythology blames love on Cupid, the winged child armed with bow and arrows, who mischievously casts his arrows to make people fall in love. In the world of the instructional coach, though, there is no Cupid to make teachers fall in love with instructional coaching. That job falls on coaches and their mentors, who often find themselves in a marketing role, selling teachers and administrators on the benefits that instructional coaching can have on teaching and learning.

When I was a classroom teacher, I would have loved to have a colleague to support me as I tried out something new with my students. Someone to help me brainstorm ideas and co-plan, co-teach or maybe collect data on my students, and then reflect after the experience? Yes, please!

Unfortunately, not all teachers are quite so enthusiastic. In order to have teachers fall in love with instructional coaching, coaches need to play Cupid for themselves and market their coaching offerings. It all starts with creating a clear understanding of the role of the instructional coach. Just like in any relationship, both partners need to get comfortable with each other while they learn what the other has to offer. 

Coaches can fulfill many different supportive roles as they build relationships with teachers, but the highest impact coaches have on teaching and learning is by working side-by-side with teachers in a before-during-after cycle.

By building positive, supportive relationships with colleagues, instructional coaches can invite teachers into the BDA cycle without coming off as pushy or evaluative. In fact, remaining non-evaluative is a must. Simply using terminology such as “strengthen your students’ performance” instead of “improve your teaching” helps a coach build comfort by keeping the focus on student learning.

Coaches can use a number of “Cupid arrows” to get teachers to fall in love with the BDA cycle. Needs assessment surveys, exit tickets following a professional development workshop, data meetings, providing resources, and offering to model or co-teach can all be low-pressure entry points to invite teachers into the BDA cycle.

The very best way to ensure that teachers keep coming back is to make their BDA cycle experience positive. Deliberate planning on the part of the coach for each phase in the cycle is essential so that you exude the characteristics of someone with whom teachers want to collaborate. Perhaps the most essential characteristic is to be a good listener. If all relationships had partners who REALLY listened to one another, wouldn’t it make the relationship even stronger?

Once enough teachers have fallen in love with instructional coaching, it becomes an indispensable part of the culture of the school. By working to establish, grow, and strengthen professional working relationships with teachers, coaches can be their own Cupid. No bow and arrow necessary!

By IU PIIC Mentors Carol Adams and Jamie Pitcavage

 “I didn’t ask the right questions.”  “I tried too hard to get to a solution to the problem.”  “We don’t have enough time to do a BDA.”  “I don’t think that Teacher A really cares about her students and doesn’t seem open to trying anything new. I can’t get through to her.”

What do we do when self-judgments stream into our consciousness before, during and after the coaching conversation?

By IU PIIC Mentors Alicia Hull and Andy Gavalis

Since this is the season of giving, we will explore two important aspects of mentoring/coaching that give educators the opportunity to build on their practice.  These two aspects of mentoring or coaching are listening and reflecting.  Both are rare, valuable gifts.  Independently, each of these will improve practice and result in improved student learning.  However, both together will improve practice exponentially.  So, how do listening and reflection help coaches and teachers?   

By IU PIIC Mentors Donette Porter and Lori Ceremuga

November is the month when we take the time to acknowledge all that we have to be thankful for in our professional and personal lives. Take time between the turkey and the pie to reflect on all that you have to be thankful for. In coaching we have a lot for which to give THANKS- especially in the coaching relationships we all build.