Common Coaching Scenarios to Navigate as a Teacher Leader
Discussing common coaching scenarios with teacher leaders before the actual obstacles arrive increases the likelihood an effective strategy is used. This can decrease anxiety and better prepare leaders for the struggles they may face in the future. Also, collaborating with others while brainstorming possible next steps solidifies knowledge, strengthens skills, and builds relationships.
Preparation
When training to become a teacher leader, much of the focus is on logistics of the job. Where will you work, what will you do, who reports to who, where to access materials, etc. Although this is helpful training, teacher leaders tend to struggle with the actual work they are doing every day. Therefore, make sure training is thorough and practical. Try talking through common pitfalls of the job to ensure teacher leaders are prepared and ready to be effective immediately. This means there is less learning on the job employing their best effort strategies. Preparation is key to being effective quicker, leading to a more productive outcome for yourself and those you lead.
Critical Thinking
Many teacher leaders do a very good job at their day-to-day tasks. However, some struggle when it comes to obstacles arriving without warning paired with no prior experience. When discussing common coaching scenarios with these leaders, they are able to strengthen their critical thinking skills. Brainstorming and prioritizing most effective strategies builds muscle memory. Consequently, the next time critical thinking is required, the brain can jump right into that mode and solve problems easily. Great leaders don’t avoid problems; they are just great at thinking critically through them.
Collaboration
Our ideas become better when we enhance each other’s original ideas. This means we have to sit in collaboration with others and share our ideas. Through discussion, our original idea is built up to a better version. Using the group’s prior knowledge and experience, an idea can blossom into an effective solution quickly. This is hard to do if you are only thinking on your own. Therefore, surround yourself with others in similar roles to discuss common problems and potential solutions. This will allow you to share ideas and make them better. This positively impacts each leader and the campus full of staff and students they support.
Next Steps
Want to know what some common coaching obstacles are? Grab this PD resource of common coaching scenarios so that you are prepared and ready when they come! (Don’t forget to grab some colleagues and engage in this learning experience together!)
GO BE GREAT!
What is a common coaching scenario you have witnessed?
About the author, Gretchen
I am a teacher trainer and coach. Working elbow to elbow with teachers and teacher leaders to ensure instructional proficiency and student achievement soar lights me up. We have a real need in our nation for strong educators to remain in the field. My blog, book, podcast, courses and instructional materials are geared towards empowering teachers (and those that lead them) to receive the support needed to grow and thrive today, tomorrow and always.