There
are some weeks when I have a very short amount of time to spend in classrooms,
and recognizing the power of positive feedback, I want to be sure I notice something
positive in each class. Especially at those times when things get busy and more
extensive coaching work gets squeezed out of the schedule, I focus on finding
something that is going well so that I can provide affirmation. Building on a
strength provides a firm foundation for coaching.
So
when I did quick walk-throughs recently, I was intentionally looking at the
world through rose-colored glasses. The lens through which I was viewing
instruction allowed me to find opportunities for affirmation. When I walked into
a room, I stood quietly to the side. Sometimes I immediately noticed something
I could affirm. So I made a quick exit, stepped into the hall, and used my
phone to record an audio-memo to myself about what I wanted to applaud. Then I
stepped into the next room and repeated the process. Sometimes I told myself, “Wait
for it….wait for it….” And with a little patience and the right attitude, I
found something encouraging in each classroom. Then I went to my computer,
retrieved my memos, and sent a brief email to every teacher whose classroom I’d
visited. Teachers responded quickly and positively. “I appreciate the
affirmation!” one teacher replied.
When
using the GIR coaching model, affirming is the dominant coaching move near the
end of a successful coaching cycle. But that doesn’t mean that the end of a
cycle is the only time it is used. Affirming becomes the dominant coaching move
as the need for other types of coaching decreases, but effective coaches use
affirming all along the way to maintain a positive climate for coaching.
So
go ahead – make someone’s day!
This week, you might want to
take a look at:
Ideas
for finding another way into coaching:
Taking a conference approach to
professional development by offering choice:
Talking
during writer’s workshop:
Discussing fairness and kindness to
close the achievement gap:
Ideas for vocabulary instruction across
academic areas:
That’s it for this week. Happy
Coaching!
No comments:
Post a Comment