This week we learned why affirmation and acknowledgement fosters strong coaching relationships, a few quick tips for remote coaching, the value of vulnerability and trust between a teacher and coach, and more. Enjoy! 🐰

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The Power of Affirmation

Jenna Moller shares why affirmation is important—both in our personal and professional lives—and how taking a moment to acknowledge others every day fosters strong coaching relationships.

"This profession is tremendously rewarding and challenging at the same time, making it crucial to affirm others in small ways to ensure teachers feel appreciated and connected—and remain in the classroom. . . . I leave these affirmations in mailboxes, on computers, or hand-deliver them depending on the teacher's schedule. Teachers continue to partner with me with the desire to learn and grow because of the positive relationships built on affirmation."

Fostering Connectedness During Remote Learning

Kim Cofino passes along six tips from coaches around the world for supporting teachers with remote learning.

" One thing all coaches can do, regardless of circumstance, is be a human connection, personalized social support, a caring listener, and help educators focus on their overall wellbeing, mental health and ability to cope with the world right now. . . . This gives us a great opportunity to not only support our colleagues in the ways that are most relevant and useful to them, but also advocate for their needs with our school leadership team."

3 Quick Tips for Remote Coaching

TeachBoost's own, Dave Reid, provides a few ways for coaches to support teachers during their distance learning transition, and how TeachBoost Coach can help.

"Educators are being flooded with new tools and practices right now. . . . With so many new tools being introduced, you might notice there's a large influx of teachers who have questions and need your support. You can use informal coaching to quickly share a resource, schedule a meeting, add evidence and more, without needing to set a goal for them first."

Distance Vs. Classroom Coaching

Steve Barkley explains the importance of vulnerability and trust in a relationship between teacher and coach.

" Building trust increases vulnerability. Crisis creates vulnerability. People will respond to that vulnerability by either stepping forth and welcoming (even requesting) input from others or pulling back seeking safety in being invisible. . . . An empowered teacher who senses autonomy is more open to vulnerability."

Learning Along the Way

Christina Podraza offers five of her takeaways for what's quickly becoming a new educational norm, distance learning, and the impact of staying connected with peers and the community.

"Reflection is an important skill at any time, but during this unprecedented time in the world, taking time to reflect is more important than ever. . . . What has really stood out to me so far is the home school connection and how much this has brought us all together. I actually feel so much more in touch with our families as a result of this experience because I’m seeing or hearing about home life so much more. I see possibilities for more creation of a shared vision and a greater partnership with the home when we return as a result."

A Coaching Orientation: Three Key Questions

John Campbell explores how every conversation or interaction can reinforce a culture of coaching.

" Bringing a 'coaching orientation' to each conversation in which we participate provides critical, incidental support for the establishment of a coaching culture. . . . So if you would like to make those "Have-you-got-a-minute, I'd-like-to run-something-past-you?" type conversations more energising, more focused, more productive and more coaching-like, you might try this approach."

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