Academic Coaching as a Creative Process Presenter Leslie Cabrera Vanessa Cabrera Kamille Harris

Pioneer Center for Student Excellence Location : Blagg-Huey Library, suite 220. Serving the Denton, Dallas, and Houston campuses, the Center provides free programs and services that enhance the student academic experience. Center has been open for about 4 years Services: Education Abroad QEP (Quality Enhancement Program) Internships Terry Foundation Scholars Advising Academic Coaching

What is Academic Coach? An on-going, peer-to-peer partnership that is focused on the process of learning.

Academic Coaching is a Game with one rule: HELP STUDENTS SUCCEED!

Why is Coaching important? Improves student performance and engagement levels Encourages self-management and self-regulation Helps students decrease stress Helps students think through obstacles

What is creativity? The basic definition of Creativity is… The use of original ideas, especially in the production of an artistic work.

How is Academic Coaching a creative processes? IDEATION: Development of ideas, connecting patterns, envisioning solutions; imagination; no boundaries FLEXIBILITY: Unstructured, freedom EXPLORATION: Discovery; traveling through the unfamiliar; freedom; positive movement AUTONOMY: Independence; agency; seeing students as capable; confidence; choice; self- actualization; freedom INTUITION:  Ability to trust the self and take risk without need for conscious reasoning; vulnerability ORIGINALITY: Recognition of students’ uniqueness; utilization of “new” knowledge, presenting new ideas, combining prior knowledge/experiences  with theory, RELATIONAL: Emotional, trust, bi- directional, vulnerability, freedom, semi-structured, accountability

IDEATION Student: Coach: Looking for ways that best fit the student Critical thinking Designing a process in academics Plan ahead Develop goals Coach: Communicating new ideas Team work Coach to Student Coach to Coach

FLEXIBILITY Student: Coach: Self directed Goals Time(student schedule) Prepared or not prepared Student decides direction Goals Student self-directed Coach: Intentional approach (Coach decides how to approach the session) conversation interaction questions backup Supplemental Materials Intake Form Academic Success Plan (one, two or three obstacles) Goals For the student needs Plan ahead

EXPLORATION Student: Coach: Learning new strategies for academic success Cultivating strengths in school/life Finding out what works for YOU Embracing the unfamiliar Coach: Learning strengths and weaknesses Finding your passion Being able to have a larger role Mentorship Programming Resources

AUTONOMY Student: Coach: Empowerment Independence Build a positive mind set Coach: Empowerment Building accountability Independence in session

INTUITION Student: Coach: Being yourself Trust (self, process) Risk Weakness Coach: Being yourself Vulnerable Trust Aware Prior Experience Learn by doing (instinct)

ORIGINALITY Student: Coach: Coaching session is tailor-made Coach-student bond is unique Coach: Difference in coaching styles Using your strengths and prior knowledge to your advantage in coaching sessions Freedom

RELATIONAL Student: Coach: Open-minded Willing develop relationship Accountability Coach: Impression management Practicing empathy Vulnerable/ authentic Accountability  

Issues in Academic Coaching A battle that demands a high level of emotional and intellectual labor; a mental battle that demands coaches to wrestle with our own worldviews, knowledges, and implicit biases.

Issues Logistical Relational issues Scheduling Returning Students https://meetme.so/VanessaCabrer a Relational issues personality/identity (differences) Emotional vulnerability Learning curves for Academic Coaches Being okay with not having THE answer Identity as students working with students (typically a position for faculty/staff; challenging traditional power hierarchies) Structural differences between jobs Learning and knowing when and how to use new information quickly Using skills that may not be a strength to you (instincts)

Group Activity: As a group, discuss what are some best practices and strategies that you use in your tutoring or supportive services space?

Q&A

Contact Info: Vanessa Cabrera VCabrera@twu.edu Leslie Cabrera lcabrera4@twu.edu Kamille Harris kharris19@twu.edu