Jenna Moller, instructional coach in Illinois, 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.
Topics: Guest Blogger, PD, Your Coaching Toolbox, Coaching Relationships, Relationships, Building Relationships, Empathy, Bitmojis, Affirmation, Teacher Appreciation
As the coronavirus pandemic forces states and districts to suspend instruction, leaders are adapting with a shift to distance learning. Stephanie Affinito, literacy education professor at the University at Albany in New York, offers four ways coaches can support teachers during their transition to a new reality: working remote.
Topics: Guest Blogger, Your Coaching Toolbox, Instructional Coaching, Coaching Relationships, Building Relationships, PLCs, Teacher Support, Empathy, Video Coaching, Virtual Coaching, Distance Learning, Crisis Skills
Are you and your teachers tired of the same old "sit-and-get" professional learning initiatives? If you said "yes ✋," then it's time to shake things up by adding some fun to the mix. Amy Storer, instructional coach in Texas, shares a few different ways to include fun as part of your upcoming professional learning sessions.
Topics: Tips and Tricks, Guest Blogger, PD, Your Coaching Toolbox, Instructional Coaching, Coaching Relationships, Building Relationships, PLCs, Coaching PD, Professional Growth, Making Coaching Fun
Do you ever find yourself feeling lonely as a coach? If so, you're not alone! Coaching can be really tough at times, especially if you're the only one in your building or new to the role. Check out our (very shareable) infographic below to learn three quick fixes from your peer, Fiona Hurtado. Bonus points for printing it out and hanging it up! 🙌
Topics: Guest Blogger, Your Coaching Toolbox, Instructional Coaching, Remixed Content, Infographic
Kelli Schiltz, instructional coach in Wisconsin, gives her staff fun (and funny) treats throughout the school year to remind them of all the different ways she can support them in their work.
Topics: Tips and Tricks, Guest Blogger, Your Coaching Toolbox, First Year as a Coach, Instructional Coaching, Coaching Relationships, Building Relationships, First Year Coaching Tips, Making Coaching Fun
Are you a coach looking to hit the ground running with new teachers? Paige Bergin, instructional coach in Oklahoma, shares how she focuses on building relationships with new staff right away, and some tips to make that easier.
Topics: Tips and Tricks, Guest Blogger, Your Coaching Toolbox, Instructional Coaching, Coaching Relationships, Building Relationships, Coaching Conversations, Teacher Support, Student-Focused
Lauren Smith, instructional coach in Noblesville Schools in Indiana, shares how collaboration built on ongoing relationships, learning, and feedback helps improve student and adult achievement within an organization.
Topics: Guest Blogger, Feedback, PD, Your Coaching Toolbox, Instructional Coaching, PLCs, Collaboration, Culture of Coaching, Social Media, Communication
Brandy Alexander, elementary instructional specialist in the Houston, TX area shares four ways to publicize and promote your coaching role—a must for any coach working in a less-than-perfect coaching environment.
Topics: Tips and Tricks, Guest Blogger, Your Coaching Toolbox, Instructional Coaching, Coaching Relationships, Building Relationships, First Year Coaching Tips, Goals
How can you bring friendly competition to your organization that supports professional learning, you ask? Lindsay Zilly, Director of Professional Learning for Illinois Digital Educators Alliance, relays how she created an environment that promotes risk-taking through gamification as a fun alternative to standard professional development.
Topics: Guest Blogger, Personalized Professional Development, Your Coaching Toolbox, Instructional Coaching, Teacher Development, Goals, Risk-Taking, Gamification
Naomi Ward, UK-based Certified Professional Co-Active Coach, 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.
Topics: Guest Blogger, Your Coaching Toolbox, Instructional Coaching, Teacher Support, Self-reflection, Self-awareness, Teacher Retention