A New Path to Progress: Coaching for Educational Leaders
As professionals, we’re deeply devoted to student engagement – but isn’t it equally important to nurture our own level of engagement? We owe it to the students we serve to commit to the path of continual improvement. What’s more, we owe it to ourselves to stay connected with our passion.
When we, as leaders, feel positive, energized and enthusiastic about our work, so do those we influence. Yet, in the heavily structured environment that we work in, it’s all too easy to feel inspiration and initiative fade.
Everyone needs the freedom to discuss the unique challenges of their work in a safe environment, but in my experience, most educational leaders are completely lacking this dimension of support. In a time of dwindling resources, it’s a relief to realize that perhaps the best and most efficient way to develop our capacity for leadership is by leading and teaching each other.
Individual and group coaching is emerging as a viable and promising way to meet many objectives at once. It creates a framework for dialogue, self-reflection, skill development and personal responsibility for growth. These benefits impact far more than just those being coached; coaching is internalized, which had a direct and positive impact on future relations with staff and colleagues.
In a pilot program for educational leaders in the Coquitlam School District, participants will experience the power of strategic and emotional support through a combination of group work with peers and one-on-one coaching. Connecting by phone or webinar on a weekly basis, participants will work together in self-selected groups of three peers. With the guidance of a professional coach and experienced administrator, participants find the clarity, support and encouragement to set goals and achieve real, measurable change.
People are often surprised to realize just how much they can accomplish with a clear objective, a simple plan, and a reliable source of support. Coaching is designed to provide all three.
One of the benefits of coaching is help identifying small goals that will have the biggest impact – and the easiest ways to achieve them. Whether it’s taking action on a professional growth plan or developing better relationships with staff, participants are encouraged to choose professional objectives that are personally meaningful.
By setting small, compelling and achievable goals, and developing a stronger understanding of their personal strengths, clients gain a sense of momentum, satisfaction and capacity to effect change.
As a former principal, I have great respect for the work of educational leaders and a deep commitment to supporting them. I’m all too familiar with the whirlwind of issues and concerns calling for your attention, and I understand the frustrations of trying to balance them all.
I am both honored and excited to offer a coaching program that meets the specific needs of educational leaders, one that delivers consistent support, genuine recognition, simple strategies and effective solutions.
There are opportunities to expand this program to other districts as well, and I encourage interested parties to contact me to discuss the potential for coaching in your region. I can be reached at 778-397-2233 to discuss this further.
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