Today’s
coaching conversation was about wedding dresses, reception venues and color
choices. That may not sound like a coaching conversation to you, but it got me
farther than most of the previous discussions I’ve had with Abby.
Last
night, I was thinking about each of the teachers I’m currently working with.
Allison – check. Alyssa – check. Cammi – well, I think our trajectory has
improved recently. Julie – ready to fly! Kelly – so much growth in recent weeks!
Abby – wait. I paused in my mental check list. Abby’s instruction didn’t really
seem to be changing in the ways we had talked about. Why?
As
I walked into school this morning, I realized that the most important thing I
could do today was make a personal connection with Abby. I thought about the
time months ago when we had exchanged high-fives after an awesome lesson.
Things had somehow derailed since then; I didn’t feel like we were really
connecting. Recommendations seemed to be bouncing off, and asking questions
wasn’t getting the ball rolling, either. I had a sneaking suspicion that a more
personal approach was needed.
I
headed down the blue hall thinking about Abby. Her room is at the far end, so I
got caught up in other conversations before I got there. But there was still
plenty of time before students arrived when I walked into Abby’s room. While
catching up on yesterday’s lessons, Abby’s engagement ring caught my eye. “I
know you got engaged over the holidays, but I don’t even know when you’re getting
married,” I said. “When’s the special day?” That launched a conversation that
included details of her winter-blue decorating theme, the perfect chapel she’ll
be married in, and their search for a reasonably-priced location for the
wedding party that will follow. Abby even pulled out her phone and showed me
pictures of her in her gorgeous princess dress.
What
did that five minute conversation have to do with coaching? Not much. But
judging by her engaged smile and the warmth of her tone, I’m guessing that the
next time we talk about instruction, those ideas will also be warmly received.
Sometimes
sequins and beading are the stuff coaching is made of.
This week, you might want to
take a look at:
This
video about using questions to develop understanding:
Teaching
young children self-regulation and other executive function skills pays off
with improved academic performance:
Math
lessons on proportions:
A
multimodal autobiography project lesson plan (grades 9-12):
Now
here’s a great idea: Give politicians and business leaders first-hand
experience of education:
That’s it for this week. Happy
Coaching!
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