Going Cold Turkey

Usually, I talk with mentors and coaches about the meandering walk they take among the coaching moves. Although one move is usually dominant at any given point in the coaching cycle, often two or more coaching moves are part of the scaffolding being provided. A recommendation might be followed up with a question that helps the teacher to make a strategy her own, for example. But at times it’s important to intentionally let go – completely – of a coaching move that has held on for too long.

This week I talked with Leslie, a coach who is working with an over-reliant teacher. Marie sought recommendations frequently, even though Leslie felt this teacher was more than ready to go it on her own. Leslie decided it was time to call off the recommending. When the teacher texted and said, “You haven’t given me any recommendations about.....,” Leslie replied simply, “I know.” Marie texted back, “Oh, okay.” And then Marie went about designing the lesson.

When Leslie told me the story, she said, “Marie was just too reliant on me. Even though she could make these instructional decisions on her own, she didn’t have the confidence. I had to let go. No more recommendations. She had to go cold turkey.”

When Leslie checked back in with Marie later in the week, she could actually see Marie’s new confidence. Careful to make no recommendations, Leslie instead coached with questions that gave Marie the chance to examine her own knowledge and experience.

“Going cold turkey” probably isn’t necessary for most teachers. But Leslie’s story is a good reminder that the coaching process should be unique and differentiated to meet the needs of the teacher – just like the instruction for students in their classrooms.

This week, you might want to take a look at:

Three short videos on teamwork:

http://www.teamworkandleadership.com/2015/07/3-teamwork-videos-your-teams-will-love-and-relate-to-team-activity.html#sthash.zjRycIzz.dpbs

Getting the most from district full-day inservice:

http://www.teachingquality.org/content/blogs/jessica-cuthbertson/all-day%E2%80%99s-work-maximizing-inservice-structure

A video about teaching theme:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9H6GCe7hmmA

Tips for effective classroom discussions:

http://corkboardconnections.blogspot.com/2013/03/the-core-of-effective-discussions.html

I’ve seen a graffiti wall in action – with black paper and colored chalk. Students loved sharing their new learning across multiple academic areas. Read all about it here:

https://www.choiceliteracy.com/articles-detail-view.php?id=1978

That’s it for this week.  Happy Coaching!

Like on Facebook at: facebook.com/mycoachescouch for more coaching and teaching tips!