“Instructional coaches are onsite professional developers who teach educators how to use proven teaching methods. They employ a variety of professional development procedures to foster widespread, high-quality implementation of interventions, providing ‘on-the-job learning.’ …they respect teachers’ professionalism and focus their efforts on conversations that lead to creative, practical application of research-based practice.
Instructional coaches see themselves as equal partners with teachers in the complex and richly rewarding work of teaching students. More than anything else, instructional coaches work in partnerships to accelerate teachers’ professional learning through mutually enriching, healthy relationships. Instructional coaches are colleagues, friends, and confidants who listen with care and share valuable information with teachers at the time when teachers most need it.”
I love this definition because it shows that we are professionals with high expectations who truly care about our co-workers.
Coaches should work as partners with teachers; even when left “in charge” during staff development sessions, coaches need to respect the boundaries of partnerships to ensure that everyone is respected and treated professionally and courteously.
I am currently reading Jim Knight’s “Partnership Learning Fieldbook”. (This is free at the link I’ve embedded here.) Knight explains how equality, choice, voice, dialogue, reflection, and praxis are inherent to working together as partners in a coaching relationship. He provides practical applications and thoughtful reflection questions to guide coaches into deeper consideration of whether they are working as partners with their teaching colleagues. He reminds us that if someone dominates, partnership is lost and along with it, learning and coaching opportunities. Knight reminds us, “When you see the world through partnership glasses, you come to understand human relationships in new ways.”
Knight’s work, coupled with that of the Kansas Coaching Project, dovetail with what Deepak Chopra, an Indian-born American physician and spiritual guru, says about creating happiness in any moment:
- Give someone your attention--LISTEN
Knight says, “Facilitators have to listen authentically, empathetically. For Stephen Covey, empathetic listening is ‘listening with intent to understand ... seeking first to understand, really understand … Empathic listening gets inside another person’s frame of reference. You look out through it, you see the world the way they see the world, you understand their paradigm, you understand how they feel…’”
2. Appreciation someone-- NOTICE A STRENGTH
“The more deeply you understand other people, the more you appreciate them, the more reverent you will feel about them. To touch the soul of another human being is to walk on holy ground.” —Stephen Covey
Keep appreciations sincere and specific; I think this can be done through positive, objective feedback.
3. Show affection by TELLING someone that you care
Without a sense of caring, there can be no sense of community.
--Anthony J. D'Angelo
***
Chopra says that if you do these things, those around you will feel happy—and so will you. Maybe that is why I love instructional coaching and feel so happy in my work.
I find Chopra’s list compelling because of the connections conferring strategies in the reading and writing workshops—and, of course, instructional coaching.
In both conferring and coaching, I think many times we omit #3 (telling someone we care). Instead, we substitute an “instructional move” to help guide and stretch the learner, followed by encouragement “have a go” with the new learning. In both teaching and coaching, the person doing the instruction will likely scaffold assistance and feedback to help ensure, sustain, and further stretch the learner.
It stands to reason, though, that we should be more intentional about including Chopra’s third strategy for creating happiness by telling our learners that we care about them. This is helpful in developing and sustaining “mutually enriching, healthy relationships”. So how might this sound in a conferring situation with students?
- I really care about how you are doing with this. I will be back to check on how this is going before class ends today.
- You are really learning and growing! I am proud of you.
Can we tell teachers that we care and still remain objective?
I believe we can, as it shows your vestment in their success as a professional—and as a human being who is worthy of being cared for.
So how might this sound in a coaching situation? I think we can be guided particularly by this line from the Kansas Coaching Project’s definition, “Instructional coaches are colleagues, friends, and confidants who listen with care and share valuable information with teachers at the time when teachers most need it.”
I can imagine this sounding like this—with all of the things from Knight’s work, The Kansas Coaching Project’s work, Deepak Chopra’s work, Rick Warren’s work…and many more. Deepak says to TELL people that you care; I would add a plethora of ways to SHOW you care.
To me, showing that I care about co-workers often comes easier than saying it… though many can also fall under the categories of “listening” and “appreciating”:
- Co-planning
- Co-teaching
- Providing thoughtful, timely, constructive feedback
- Reflecting
- Sharing resources
- Doing an unexpected kindness, such as bringing a treat or small gift or card
- Giving a handshake, a touch on the arm, (or even a hug) in the right moment
- Work at least as hard as the teachers—maybe harder
- Assume the positive, if anything at all
- Always be on time and respectful of time
- Go out of your way to help in a crisis
- Be thoughtful about holidays, birthdays, weddings, etc.
Work-Focused Caring Words:
- I really care about you and want to help you realize your goals.
- GREET co-workers when you see them; if you’ve greeted them before, you might just look into their eyes, smile, or wish them a good day.
- Ask for and care about their opinions.
- Return calls and emails promptly and thank them for their communication and time.
- Thank people—work with gratitude
- Notice if someone is out of sorts; listen if it’s appropriate.
- Choose calming words, focused on solutions.]\
- NEVER gossip.
What would you add to this?
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