Coaching
The key to empowering a
Professional Growth Cycle
Effective coaching creates an atmosphere of trust where practice can be explored, options for improved performance can be considered and actions for trial can be determined. Effective coaches actively listen, develop rapport, and build capacity through effective and personalised professional conversations.
What we offer
A confidential and safe environment for teachers of all levels to focus on their unique professional development needs.
An online full year professional coaching process.
A 60 Minute initial conversation that determines the focus of the years work.
7 follow-up reflective and next step conservations.
An emergency contact process that, if required, enables the teacher to seek support outside of the scheduled meetings.
Why we believe this
Developing capacity as a teacher is critical. However, generalised professional learning and support does little to transform practice and provide the meaningful support that teachers require to navigate an, at times, difficult and demanding job.
The Ministry of Education claim, that the most important influence on students’ learning, within school, is attributable to what teachers know and do. However, the variance in impact is significant.
Professional development has the capacity to improve teacher performance, this in turn can lead to improved learning outcomes for students. However, Care is required to create contexts in which motivation for engagement exists. This, occurs when teachers are involved in the design of their own learning.
Effective professional development is predicated upon recognition that teachers bring theories with them, and that they need a good reason to do things differently. Models of professional learning, that engage teachers collaboratively, reflectively and are informed by data appear likely to contribute to improved learning.
The importance of quality coaching
Sustained professional development, that is supported by experts and is responsive to individual needs, offers teachers what they need to develop their practice. There are three crucial elements to the coaching relationship: trust, knowledge, and control. Relationships which empower teachers to take control over their own development, by constructing knowledge through an inquiry process with a supportive expert embodies this perspective.
Skilled coaching leads teachers to find their own solutions it focuses on shared planning, observation and reflection. Competent coaches use active listening, rapport building and effective questioning to build capacity in those they coach. It enables a collaborative process for teachers to critically reflect on evidence of their practice and the impact this has on student learning.
Professional development takes time. For teachers, if learning is to impact their practice, an extended timeframe is required. Models of professional development that recognise the importance of time, provide teachers with an environment where they can work collaboratively, reflectively and affords them the space to examine the evidence of the effectiveness of their own professional practice.