Sydney Edu-Coaches

COMPASS POINTS

Yesterday we hosted a meeting of staff from four schools to discuss education coaches in schools. We used the Compass Points thinking routine to commence the meeting:

Considering the idea, question, or proposition before you:

E = Excitements. What excites you about this idea or proposition? What’s the upside?

Seeing teacher practice change and to see that change maintained
Space to take creative risks in teaching practice
In-house is more effective
Staff development
Staff can access others that they connect with – not hierarchical – coaches can explore/become experts in their passions
Team building
Relational personal
Non-threatening
Personalised learning
Partnership respects the experience of the coaches
Volunteers select into the programme
Formative feedback
Opportunities to implement good ideas that would otherwise go by wayside

W = Worries. What do you find worrisome about this idea or proposition? What’s the downside?

Coachees feel threatened despite all communication saying otherwise
Downside is lost time when coaching doesn’t work out
Cost in teacher allowances, – training the trainers
Cost
Large scope
Staffing
They won’t come back!
What happens if a coach leaves?
Staff perception of coaches
Training
How do we evaluate the impact?
Time
Teachers are too overrun with day-to-day survival to really engage with coaching wholeheartedly and creatively.

N = Needs. What else do you need to know or find out about this idea or proposition?

Scalability and sustainability
Finding enough good coaches
How much is required for it to be effective – Can it be linked to appraisal – What levels of teachers is it effective for?
Revisit much of what I’ve learned to see how things have moved on
Training for coaches
Who coaches the coaches?
Process
How should we handle recalcitrant staff?
Consulting/counselling skills
Time
How it works
How do I reorganise my load or priorities so that I do this well? (I do a lot admin and putting out spotfires)
I need to think about those teacher ideas that don’t “fit” the “normal”
Best structure

S = Stance, Steps, or Suggestions. What is your current stance or opinion on the idea or proposition? What should your next step be in your evaluation of this idea or proposition? What suggestions do you have at this point?

Strictly voluntary
What happens after? Emotional dip
One of the best school based ways to support the growth of teachers
Waiting for staff feedback at end of 2013
Build existing coaching relationships – Start some new ones
Watch others
Has potential for staff engaging and ongoing professional learning and reflection –
Convinced
Help others
Network
My new approach is to create videos demonstrating new ideas (e.g. an app), to give to teachers as invitations to try something new (and ask for help with it)
I think it is a fantastic way to integrate PD and encourage new modes of thinking/acting

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