As
a coach or mentor, it feels good to make a recommendation that is just right
for the teacher and comes at just the right time. Even better is seeing that the
suggestion is actually implemented and moves the teacher’s learning forward! In
previous posts we’ve talked about ways for increasing the likeliness of this
outcome; for example, being specific and offering choice can increase the uptake
on your recommendations. Another way to increase implementation is to make the
recommendations part of a conversation.
When conferring
with a teacher who might benefit from your suggestions, it helps to frame the
recommendation within a comfortable context. For example, I’ve been talking with
Kate about writing conferences, but writing isn’t Kate’s strong suit. She has a
math brain and is a natural problem-solver. So it helped when I began our
conversation about writing conferences by thinking with her about how she
provides feedback in math. “I love trying to figure out what they’re doing,”
she said. “If the answer isn’t right, it’s like solving a puzzle to figure out
what went wrong.”
“So
think about using the same approach in a writing conference,” I said. “Just
like when you’re scaffolding in math, you’ll have to first figure out where the
writing process has broken down. Once you solve that puzzle, you can figure out
the support that’s needed.”
I
noted how the light went on in Kate’s eyes when I said the word “puzzle.” It
was an aha moment for her. My recommendation helped her connect with successful
past experiences. Couching the suggestion in a conversation about content Kate
was comfortable with made a difference.
A
recommending conversation will also be more successful if dialogue continues
beyond the initial suggestion. After making a recommendation (or offering a
couple of recommendations as options), let the thoughts simmer for a bit; 20
seconds of silent think-time goes a long way! Then find out how the
recommendation is sitting by giving the teacher a chance to respond. With a
thoughtful look and openness in my voice, I’ll often ask, “What are you
thinking about how those ideas might work with your kids?”
Making
suggestions part of a conversation, with a comfortable context and the chance
for dialogue, can create more Goldilocks moments in coaching, where the
recommendation feels just right!
This week, you might want to
take a look at:
Tips
about coaching language that builds buy-in:
Pictures books about the writing
process:
Apps
that support STEM lessons:
How to
make way for play (in kindergarten and beyond):
Play
in 5th Grade:
That’s it for this week. Happy
Coaching!
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