“I have found that when you inspire others they inspire you
right back.” via @NicholasFerroni
Instructional coaching is tough work. It is valuable work. It is work that inspires. When I was hired to be an instructional coach
at my new school, administration presented me with the challenge to grow
relationships and build trust in my first year.
They said that once the trust was there, I would be able to do the real
work that needs to be done which is to support and help teachers grow
professionally. Professional growth will
lead to gains in student achievement. Thus,
the stakes are high.
In the first quarter of my new job, I have found teachers
within my district to be open to change.
They are driven to find solutions that are in the best interests of
students. Teachers within my district
are blessed with the ability to really know their students. Teachers are active
outside of the classroom and attend meetings outside of their contract day on a
regular basis. Teachers meet and
strategize to implement interventions that will make a difference. Teachers ask questions of their students and
genuinely get to know them. So, it was
no surprise to me that they also embraced the idea of working with an
instructional coach.
Building relationships is a never-ending job so I am
continuing to purposely do that in a variety of ways. However, this week I felt like I had
succeeded in the short term. Two different
teachers ended our meeting by saying, “the wheels are turning!” And isn’t that what instructional coaching is
all about? It’s about inspiring others
to come up with new ideas of their own and working to implement those ideas so
that we can meet the ever changing needs of our students.
Thank you, Boone Central teachers, for allowing
me to take a ride on your bus when your bus gets moving! Your inspiration is my inspiration and it is
a true joy to be working with you.
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