Final Coaching Reflections

Today, Thursday, June 26, 2019 is my last day as an Instructional Coach with the Thames Valley District School Board. Tomorrow, I will attend the a Professional Development session at my new school East Carling where, in September, I will be learning with a group of Grade 7's.

Before choosing to write this post, I reflected on the words I wrote 22 months ago - my first day in this role. I can remember feeling tremendously energized. I had just attended a day-long PD session with about 60 colleagues. Some were new, like me, and some were entering their 2nd, 3rd or Final Year. I was immediately struck by the level of engagement. It was clear, these educators were positively invested in both the presentations being led by our leadership team and the self-directed discussion opportunities at each table. 

I don't mean to suggest that it was the first time I have worked with deeply, passionately and connected peers - It wasn't. However, it was the first time that I had attended a PD session where every single participant was "all in".

If you've ever attended a day-long meeting or learning session I am sure you are familiar with the following...

• Negativity Nicky - who can only see opportunity as an obstacle. 
• Tell-tale sentence starter: "Here's the problem with..."
• Tired Terry - who arrives exhausted and then pounds cups of coffee like it is a job. 
• Tell-tale sentence starter: Anything punctuated by an aggressive yawn.
• Darcy Doodler - sure, there is plenty of evidence to suggest to support sketchnoting as a method of focusing attention and retaining information ... but, c'mon, a beer bottle mandala before noon? 
• Tell-tale sentence starter: "What's happening later?"
• Laptop Leslie - who starts the meeting by taking minutes; but, is quickly distracted by Level 97 on Candy Crush. 
• Tell-tale sentence starter: "What did they just say?"
• Chris the Contrarian - Who engages in conversation - only to attempt to "game" the evidence, prevailing wisdom or situation for some mercenary reason. 
• Tell-tale sentence starter: "Interesting, you're saying x, but what about..."

I'll readily admit, I have been guilty of being a Nicky, Terry, Darcy, Leslie & Chris. I only offer these five examples because I wanted to make a point about how great it has been to work with this team for two years. 

Being part of the TVDSB Learning Support Services Crew has been a game-changer for me, but it goes deeper. I have been incredibly fortunate to spend time with both my instructional coaching team and so many exceptional colleagues in the schools I supported. I have connected with people who believe they can make a difference. 

This has galvanized the things I have learned from the work of Hattie, Fisher & Frey in their Visible Learning Series. I am returning to class a believer in Collective Teacher Efficacy. I am also an amplifier, who wants to make this approach contagious. I have taken my Nicky, Terry, Darcy, Leslie & Chris costumes out to the trash and will not be wearing them again. I will also do all I can to engage with my colleagues to remind them of the value of...

Self-Efficacy: “The conviction that one can successfully execute the behaviour required to produce outcomes.”

Tell-tale sentence starter:“I am an effective teacher that can make a difference in the lives of all my students and my work will result in success.”

“I can do it!”

Collective Efficacy

“Characterized by an attitude that, together, teachers in a school can make a difference for students.”

Tell-tale  sentence starter:“I am not alone, I am part of a team that is willing to work with me to maximize the success of our students”

“We can do it!”

Fostering Student Efficacy

“Championing high expectations conveys to students the belief that they can attain high levels of performance based on challenging and appropriate goals.”

Tell-tale  sentence starters:“I believe in you.” “You are capable of more.” It’s okay to be where you are … but where are we going today?”

“You can do it!”

If that's not enough to convince you, try this...