Tips for Coaching Teachers

Hi Teacher Friends!

Want to try your hand at coaching? I have been working at developing the content and coaching that I share with teachers. So far this year, I have worked with 10 teachers individually to support their classrooms and trained 45 new teachers through my summer training work. Coaching/helping teachers is my true passion. In my new vision board, I outlined my vision of being a full time teacher coach/TPTer #dreamjob!

In that time, I have learned a bit about problem solving and trouble shooting with teachers. The tips below have helped me to be more purposeful and strategic when working with a new teachers and their needs. 

Conduct a self-assessment

Have teachers conduct a self-assessment of the problem before  you begin working together. Many of the teachers I worked with wanted help but didn't know what their core problem was. For example, one of the teachers had behavior problems during centers. She thought it was the grouping of her students. Going through the self assessment revealed that it was the content of the centers and clarity of expectations which were the true root of her problems.

 The problem solving sheet  also saves some valuable time for coaching and helps to put a limit on venting. While venting is cathatic and freeing for the teacher, it is not often solutions oriented and further mires the teacher in negativity. For your part,  you don't want to spend your whole debrief period hashing and rehashing everything that happened in the past. This sheet gives you concrete information about the core problems of a teacher's practice. After they complete the self assessment, be sure have them send you a copy before the appointed meeting time so you can begin thinking about solutions and necessary resources before you begin the coaching process.

Below is the needs assessment I give to my teachers to self assess before we begin working together.

Assessing past solutions

Spend time focusing in on their solutions that they have tried before. Ask them what they have already tried first before jumping to giving them solutions. Nothing is worse that cutting someone off with one of your brilliant ideas, and see their eyes glaze over as they check out and say "did it, and it didn't work" look. A part of this is also understanding that they have tried to fixed the problem and they may be a point of frustration/hopelessness. Fully understanding their unique situation and past efforts is critical to their success as a teacher and your success as a coach.

That leads me to tip 3.

Minor tweaks are the best tweaks

When talking through what solutions they have worked through in the past, try to identify what parts of the solution didn't work. One bad lesson or center time leads many teachers to throw the baby out with the bathwater. Ask them what aspects of the solution did work and help them on the connection between cause and solution. Keep these ideas in mind as you begin to think of solutions for that teacher.

Listen and Affirm

Most of the teachers I work with hold the key to their own solutions. They mostly need a thought partner to help them think through systems and how they will work in action. You might find that talking through the assessment, past solutions, and simply listening will be key to your success.
Along with listening, affirm them when ever possible. This is done mainly through body language. Be an active listener, turned towards them, and be jotting down notes. If you have questions, write them down, so that you can address them in a systematic manner when they are done explaining. Asking one of your "urgent" questions may actually just get them off task and onto a tangent.

Create next steps and follow plan

Be clear on what is required from both parties.

 I use the sheet (as of September 2015) in my coaching conversations. 

(It has to be colorful of course! When things are pretty, I work better lol). 

                    

Also, establish a firm timeline for the completion of items. I reserve the last 10 minutes to rehash our plan of action and get clear on my responsibilities.

After the meeting, I write my actions items on post-its and add it to my project management board. I make sure to include the due date so it doesn't get added to my huge pile of to do items.

I hope these quick tips helped you be productive when helping teachers!