Let the Conversation Do the Work

Instructional coaches make recommendations to share insights, offer options, and help teachers think through next steps in their instruction. One way to increase uptake of coaching recommendations is to make the recommendation part of a dialogue in an extended conversation. The recommendation is not the first sentence in the conversation or the last. Offering time for teacher reflection gets us off to a good start, giving the teacher control of the conversation early on. When it’s my turn to talk, I can lead with positive comments, offer a suggestion, and follow up by asking the teacher’s thoughts about the idea,
 
That’s what happened in my conversation with Ariana, an early-career teacher who walked into my room full of frustration about how the day had gone. After she vented for a moment, I asked her to tell me about some things that had gone well. That question gave her pause, but then she shared a few celebrations, which seemed to steady her a bit. She took a breath. Then she circled back to her initial concern:
 
“It was still so frustrating that kids weren’t paying attention during the game!” she said.
 
“Why do you think that happened?” I asked.
 
“I’m not sure,” she said, and paused thoughtfully. “Maybe they didn’t understand the procedures. I just shouldn’t have tried that game so early in the year, before procedures were in place.
 
I didn’t want her to give up on the game so easily! I said, “I’ve noticed that when teachers are clear in giving directions, students are more engaged.”
 
“Yes, I definitely could have been more clear with the directions,” she answered.
 
“Modeling could help,” I suggested, and added, “I noticed when you were clear in describing the purpose at the beginning of the lesson, students seemed very focused. I wonder if they didn’t see how the game connected to that purpose?
 
Ariana sat up straight and seemed reenergized. “Yes,” she said, “that makes sense.”      
 
“So, being clear with directions and tying each part of the lesson back to the purpose might help,” I said.
 
“Yes! I can do that!” she confidently responded. We then talked about what that might look and sound like in an upcoming lesson. When I’m careful not to dominate the dialogue, an exchange of ideas solidifies the recommendation.
 
The ongoing conversation that comes after a recommendation allows for meaning-making and encourages ownership of ideas. After making a recommendation (or offering a couple of recommendations as options), we can let the thoughts simmer for a few long seconds. Then we can find out how the recommendation is sitting by giving the teacher a chance to respond, asking the teacher to give her perspective. 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?”
 
What the teacher says is ultimately more important than what I might say as a coach, so I’m prepared to prompt, encourage, and listen. Making suggestions as part of a collegial conversation with back-and-forth dialogue increases the likelihood that recommendations will be used. When we make space for teachers to process and respond to recommendations, they can take the lead in their learning.
 
This week, you might want to take a look at:

My podcast that launched this week! (You can also find it in your favorite podcasting app):
 
https://mycoachescouch.podbean.com/
 
How to keep going:
 
https://choiceliteracy.com/article/keep-going/
 
 
Using narrative video games to enhance reading skills:
 
https://www.edutopia.org/article/integrating-video-games-literature-lessons/
 
 
How acting boosts learning:
 
http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/how-acting-out-in-school-boosts-learning/
 
 
A podcast about substantive conversation in the classroom:
 
http://www.idra.org/images/stories/CN-130.mp3
 
That’s it for this week. Happy Coaching!
 
Want more coaching tips? Check out my book, Differentxiated Mentoring & Coaching in Education: From Preservice Teacher to Expert Practitioner, available from Teachers College Press!  I’m so excited to share it with you! You can use the code: FDNF25 for 15% off. Click  here  and I’ll email you the free Book Group Study Guide that includes questions, prompts, and activities you can use as you share the book with colleagues.  I hope you’ll love this book as much as I loved making it for you!