You are the…Well-Researched Fount of Knowledge!
WELL, ACCORDING TO THE RESEARCH…
You’re happiest when you are learning about something new about how kids learn. You’ve got the knowledge and the research to support it, whether we’re talking about content or instructional strategies, and you’ve read all of the coaching books, too!
People come to you when they need to know what’s the “right way” to do something, and you always have something to share. Your TBR stack is never ending, and you’ve got folders of saved articles you found on Facebook, too, ready for when you have a few minutes between books.
What are your superpowers?
When it comes to education, you’re the go-to. Teachers come to you with their academic questions because they know you’ve got answers. Want to know what we currently think about learning styles? You’ve got it. Ready to change your methods to research-based practices? Done deal! The question isn’t whether YOU know; it’s whether the TEACHER wants to know.
Coaches like you are driven to grow your teachers through growing their knowledge base. The more they know, they better they can do, so hosting book studies, building a professional library, and sharing articles during PD are all things that come naturally to you.
Every coach has natural abilities that serve them well and help them serve teachers in different ways. Knowing your natural strengths as well as those areas that can use some refinement can help you be the impactful coach you are meant to be!
The resources I share below will help you maximize your effectiveness as a coach!
Grow your superpowers with these two podcast episodes of Buzzing with Ms. B: The Coaching Podcast!
I handpicked these episodes for you because they will help you hone your already incredible coaching gifts!
Episode 13: Why and how to build content knowledge and common language
Episode 112: Inquiry as a model for learning and leadership
What traps can you fall into?
You work hard to be well-informed, but sometimes the knowledge you share falls on deaf ears. Teachers are not always in a place to receive information, and coming to you can be like drinking from the fire hose. Giving teachers too much information at once, especially if they don’t have practical implementation opportunities, can doom your efforts from the start.
On top of that, there can be different ways to do things…and they can all be good for different reasons! Honoring that different classrooms have different needs, and that teaching styles might not look like yours but can still benefit students is the first step to supporting all classrooms.
It can also be really hard to understand why teachers still do things that we know aren’t best practice. Daily oral language? Sit & get with no opportunity to share? Round-robin? Whyyyy?!
But the truth is, not everyone is basing their practice on research or even what you might perceive as common sense. While you may be quick to embrace new learning and implement it right away, many teachers take time to process and may need a little hand-holding before they’re comfortable with new and different ideas!
Instead of passing judgment, see if you can build a relationship with the teacher to encourage them to open their doors and try something new! Once the door is open, you’ll be sure to impact their teaching with your new ideas!
Listen to three specific podcast episodes of Buzzing with Ms. B: The Coaching Podcast to help avoid the traps!
I picked these episodes carefully to give you support in areas that can help you round out your coaching approach!
Episode 55: Responding to resistance with Steve Barkley
Episode 74: Building relationships with teachers
Episode 119: Facilitating planning PLCs
And, if you’re looking for a resource to help you start right away, grab this tool from my online store! It will tell you exactly how to build a bridge to teachers who meet all of your support with resistance! Coaching resistant teachers can be a real challenge. Learn how to reach them and make an impact on their teaching!
Coaching Resistant Teachers: A Coaching PD Video
