Good teachers today are good coaches.
Schooled before the days of equal access to sports, I never had the privilege of being a part of a sports team. Yet now as the mom of three boys, I witness extraordinary coaching and the positive effects of that practice regularly.
What do good coaches do?
Know Your Team
Good coaches know their team--they know the individuals and the collective group. Good coaches make the time to know the children they are coaching with breadth and depth. Good coaches ask the team to share their needs, questions, and concerns, and then the coaches respond effectively.
Set Goals
Good coaches are goal oriented. They know where they want to take the team.
Strategize
Good coaches strategize. They thoughtfully create personalized maps of training, practice, and performance that leads to the ultimate goal.
Analyze and Revise
Good coaches analyze and revise strategy. They look at the efforts at play and make changes to optimize the journey towards the goal.
Encourage and Inspire
Good coaches encourage their team. They know the team needs regular inspiration, acknowledgement, care, and support to meet the challenges in front of them.
Seek Support
Good coaches seek mentors themselves. They know they can't do it alone and rely on the support of their colleagues, staff, mentors and professional learning to do the job well.
Understand Learning
Focus
Good coaches keep their focus on what's right and good for the individuals and team. They know that winning isn't always the most important focus.
Create Community
Good coaches create community. They foster team.
Celebrate
Good coaches celebrate a job well done regularly.
My overarching goal as a teacher this year is to be a good coach. That's a goal I believe in, and one that I'm excited to invest in.
If you have links, thoughts, ideas, and questions about this, please share. I look forward to your inspiration.
