This week we learned how a sense of purpose and self-worth can help improve teacher well-being, how video can support coaching cycles, why a growth mindset is valuable for all educators, and more. Enjoy!

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Helping Teachers Find Their Purpose through Self-Awareness

Naomi Ward explains how important it is to teacher well-being and retention that they hold a sense of purpose and self-worth, and how coaches can help foster that.

"Loss of self. That's a high price to pay. All teachers have essential qualities that make their presence and impact unique, and when they are inhabiting such qualities, there is flow, fulfillment, and meaning. If we lose this sense, we lose direction, our sense of worth, and connection to what brings us joy. Why would we stay in an environment where our sense of self is undervalued and eroded? Therefore understanding and articulating our identity and purpose is an urgent task."

Thinking About Feedback

Stephanie Affinito provides the benefits of video tools to support coaching efforts, plus a few guidelines to consider when providing feedback.

"While in person observations are powerful, I have found that video observations are particularly important as well, especially in virtual coaching. By recording and sharing, teachers are in full control over what I see and provide feedback on, lessening the angst that some teachers feel when inviting coaches into their classrooms. The feedback provided on these videos is incredibly important to the coaching process as it is living and in print. Forever."

"Appy" Hour

Amy Storer adds some playfulness to her PD sessions with different themes, puns, and props! See how she promoted new technology tools this month.

"One of my goals this year was to transform professional learning on my campus and in my district. . . . Each week or every other week, I would open my room for teachers to CHOOSE to attend various sessions such as Tech and Tailgate, Snacks and Strategies, and 'Appy' Hour. My goal with each of these sessions was to expose the teachers to various tools, strategies, and applications that would support high impact learning and teaching."

School Leaders as Coaches

Amy Foley overviews why using a coaching mindset and a culture of reflective practice sets an organization up for success.

"While my instructional coaching role requires me to be a collaborator or consultant at times, I truly believe that instructional coaches and school leaders should embrace a growth mindset and prioritize building capacity and supporting reflective practice in others. A coaching mindset should be the preferred way of supporting others. . . . On numerous occasions, I have experienced the power of having a colleague coach me when I need to clarify my thinking or get some perspective. Having someone ask me a question that challenges my thinking while simultaneously helping me to make sense of something is very up-lifting."

So What Do You Actually Do?

Lori Donatelli shares how she explains her coaching role and what her coaching cycles consist of.

"The coaching cycle is a structured procedure in which a teacher works with a coach to set a goal they have for their classroom. . . . EVERY single teacher, even the absolute best, can benefit from coaching! Do pro athletes still go to practice? Yup. And who do they see when they get there? Coaches."

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