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Coaching has been depicted as: “as a means of raising an individual’s awareness, getting them to take responsibly for their development, and supporting them in designing and implementing targeted actions and thereby getting results.” (The power of coaching for school improvement- Gary R O’Mahony, Robin Mathews and Bruce Barnett)

“Coaching involves:  A process of planning and change over time  Learning by taking a series of small steps in order to master and achieve an agreed set goal.  Involved learning not through trial and error but through trial and learn, using continuous feedback and support to help make corrections and changes to achieve the desired results.” (The power of coaching for school improvement- Gary R O’Mahony, Robin Mathews and Bruce Barnett)

 A teacher  A colleague  A co-inquirer  A facilitator  A questioner  A learner  A listener  A resource locator  A juggler  A data analyser  Someone who is reflective, asks questions and strives to improve and learn more. A coach is not the expert with all the answers, coaching is team effort with shared learning and discovery.

The coaching process can take a number of different forms. However, it should be:  Tailored to the needs of the Coachee  Confidential  Targeted  Timely  Reflective and  Supportive

Stage 1- Meet with coach to discuss goal/s or wondering- these are questions, concerns, puzzles that you may have.

Stage 2- (a) Classroom visit to:  Observe and collect data specific to ‘wondering’  Key points or notes may be taken at this stage but only to help with coaching conversation later on  Work with teacher on specific goal or wondering  Coaching may take all of a period or it may be longer or shorter it depends on the ‘wondering’ Stage 2- (b)  Observation of Modelled lesson  Team teaching Stage 2- (c)  Planning together, guided reflection, Professional Development

Stage 3- Coachee personally reflects on teaching and learning and goals set. Example questions:  What have I learnt about my teaching practice or about my students?  What were the successes of my lesson?  Were there any challenges during the lesson?  What would I do differently next time?  Now that I have this information, where to next?

Stage 4- Meet to have coaching conversation  This is where Coachee reflects on the goal through discussion with the Coach  The Coachee reflections on what was observed in classroom visit through discussion with the Coach  Questions are posed - Could it be? I wonder... I’m wondering… What if…Talk to me about…  Future direction discussed  Resources to support future direction shared or discussed.  No praise no blame

Stage 5- A new goal arranged.  This new goal could build upon previous wonderings  Or there could new goal that is sparked from the coaching discussed.  A time for classroom visit is organised.  Cycle starts again.

 During, between and after coaching sessions the coachee can access coach via; phone, and coaching conversations. Please don’t just wait until your next session. If you have a question, a query or a wondering; find time to DISCUSS IT and ASK!!

REMEMBER we ask, question and reflect on our teaching to improve our practise for the benefit of our all our students.