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What makes the difference between coaching that sticks and coaching that makes no difference at all? Teacher development guru Pete Hall, co-author of Creating a Culture of Reflective Practice, says thoughtful self-reflection by teachers is the critical element. In this episode of Sibme’s Coach Replay, Pete describes the importance of self-reflection in instructional coaching, the reflection cycle and the ultimate goal of a reflective habit.
Download the Episode SummaryWhen Pete and Reflective Practice co-author Alisa Simeral researched what differentiated successful and unsuccessful teachers, they found that teachers with better results were able to frequently, accurately and deeply reflect on their practice. And video can be an important coaching tool that empowers teachers in the reflection process.
Pete likens in-person observation of a teacher in action to watching a performance from a balcony seat. The teacher is hyper-focused on the activity—or chaos—in the classroom and just can’t see what the coach sees. With video, the teacher also has a seat on the balcony, and together the coach and teacher can witness and reflect on the same recorded moment.
During his time as a new principal in Reno, Nevada, Pete recalls observing teachers and then providing them with a list of suggestions for improving their practice, often with no input from the teachers themselves. Coach Replay hosts Cory Camp and Kim Ramadan recounted similar top-down approaches to instructional coaching. Like Pete, they found that coaching that “happened” to teachers often produced lackluster results. To be fully engaged in their professional development, teachers need to be partners in the process. They need to be co-owners of their coaching. Rather than simply giving teachers a list of suggestions and to-dos that might catch them off guard, they should be probed with the right questions. Doing so helps teachers formulate their own goals that with regular follow-through—on the part of both coaches and coachees—can be a game changer.
Pete recommends four steps in the self-reflection process, which he explains more fully in the podcast:
Like any good practice, whether it’s meditation or a morning jog, creating a habit of continual self-reflection is the goal. Ultimately, a great education for students is what all teachers and instructional coaches try to achieve. A crucial element of high-quality education is a stellar lesson plan and the ability to modify that plan as needed. Self-reflection, made easier and more efficient with the use of video, helps to build that skill. It’s part of the “secret sauce” that makes coaching stick.
The Sibme Coach Replay Show is a weekly show featuring top-notch instructional coaches and leaders who join our hosts, Cory Camp and Kim Ramadan, to discuss instructional coaching topics and strategies that will enhance and transform your instructional coaching. Episodes air LIVE every Friday on the Sibme's social media channels at 1 P.M. EST and on-demand here or on your favorite podcast platform!
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