Put me in coach! The Importance of Mentorship and Coaching through UW ECHO -How to truly build capacity

Presenter Information Gayl Bowser, Lead Assistive Technology Trainer Project ECHO in AT Adjunct Faculty, University of Wyoming Independent Consultant: Assistive Technology Collaborations

3 The New Teacher Project (August, 2015)

Mirage Report Our research suggests that, while understandable and well-intentioned, layering on more support is not the solution. Instead, we believe school systems need to make a more fundamental shift in mindset and define “helping teachers improve” not just in terms of providing them with a package of discrete experiences and treatments, but with information, conditions and a culture that facilitate growth and normalize continuous improvement. 4 The New Teacher Project, page 35 (August, 2015)

facilitate growth Facilitate growth Normalize continuous improvement

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When we take on the responsibilities and issues to be solved by others, our real message may be that we do not fully trust them to have a good solution or that we know a better way to handle challenges. 8

Empowerment Whenever people are asked to change without their buy-in, we create resistance. Dale Carnegie Institute 9

My goal is not to get you to think the way I think, but to think more than you thought before.

Coaching Active Listening Reflective Feedback Dialogue to Empower 11 Cheliotes & Fleming-Reilly (2010), p. 10

I think I'll learn more from listening. Anything I would say I already know. — Anonymous student explaining while she did not wish to participate in a discussion 12

13 Can you be still enough to let the muddy waters clear? Tao Parable

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Feedback – Appreciation – Coaching – Evaluation What do you need? What does the other person need?

Coaches are skilled at constructing and composing questions with the intention of engaging and transforming thought. 16

Let’s practice! Practice isn’t the thing you do once you’re good. It’s the thing you do that makes you good. Malcolm Gladwell

What about the situation has left you puzzled? How do you describe the participants in this situation? How do you describe yourself?

One person will be the story teller. – The listener will let you know through body language, eye contact and other non-verbal cues that they are listening – The listener will restate the situation with phrases like "Let me see if I understand the situation....“ – The listener will ask open-ended Coaching questions. – You may add or clarify anything that the listener has missed or misunderstood. Do not try to solve the problem!

What was it like For you as the listener? For you as the story teller?

“If you enter conversations with the positive intent that those with whom you speak are competent, dedicated and want to have a constructive influence on the world, the other person is much more likely to hear your message and respond in a positive manner” 22

To strengthen others, leaders place their constituents, not themselves, at the center of solving critical problems and contributing to key goals. This is not always easy to do: leaders must deliberately back off so that others can figure out for themselves what needs to be done. James Kouzes and Barry Posner (2002) 23