This is the third in a three-part series of posts examining my evolving understanding of the “transformational/instructional coach” role that is new in our district, based directly on conversations I have had.
Teacher Friend: You’ve never taught in my (grade/subject/building/classroom) and I’ve done it for years, but now you’re the expert coming to “coach” me?
Me: Hardly.
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The title coach is rooted in athletics. While I’m not athletic, or even that competitive, I realized the significance of the different roles in sports that apply here. A coach is not the star player, but is a person who brings out the best in his or her team. A coach can go to virtually any team or sport and be as effective because they are in the business of helping others be their best.
Did you ever hear of a top-notch athlete who was forced to be awesome? It doesn’t happen. No one can impose “coaching” upon someone who doesn’t want to collaborate and look for something better. That just doesn’t make sense. Athletes come to coaches because they share a love for playing and improving the game. Likewise, without a team, there’s really no need for a coach.
The coach is hardly the expert. That’s why great teachers are working, because they are the experts! Most experts don’t readily claim that recognition because they’re just too busy improving themselves and their craft. The coach is someone who gives experts a good listening to, then helps the expert identify the awesome they may not have seen within themselves. Teachers do this all the time with their students. It’s called maieutic teaching and is essentially the Socratic method. (Socrates may have been the first instructional coach.)
Teaching is coaching; coaching is teaching. We’re all in this together. After the previous three posts, how do you perceive the role of “transformational/instructional coach”?
Come on down here—I’d love to have you as a coach! I love collaboration and new ideas. I bet you are great at your new role! They picked the right guy for the job of not only coaching but easing the teachers into accepting this new role in your district.
You can coach me anytime!
One of our “Charter Schools” here in Charlotte-Mecklenburg NC is the Socrates Academy. What a potential name, or sub-name, for every school in America! Would that the Socratic Methodology would be made available to each learner in any school! IF very little is learned, then chances are good that very little was taught…
Consult the Quakers on this–Parker Palmer is a good interpreter of investigative, interactive learning. With this style, coaching becomes individual and team building and NOT a competitive ordeal! Try it; youll likely LIKE the style and the results!