Reflect on roles and trust
wows and wonders
coaching skills cue card
guiding questions for reflection
wows and wonders
Reflect on Roles and Trust- page 1 -IntroductionWhat roles will you take when coaching? Why is trust-building important in coaching? What coaching communication skills can be used when reflecting about your coaching experiences?
Getting StartedIn this activity you'll begin to answer these questions as you:
Part B: Conflict as a ResourceMost people try to avoid conflict whenever possible, but you learned that conflict can be a resource for highly effective groups who are trying to improve teaching and learning. Conflict can help groups make better decisions if they focus on issues and problems and not people. Coaches can help groups resolve conflict and work more effectively by:
Reflect on Roles and Trust- page 2 -IntroductionWe understand that communication skills are important to building relationships, but you may have wondered why we have spent so much time talking about them in the Peer Coaching Program. Let's take a moment to discuss why.
Part A: Coaching and TrustCharacteristics of successful coaching include respect, cooperation, personal regard and trust. A dictionary might define trust as “reliance on the integrity, strength, ability, or truth of someone.” Previous coaches reported that they were able to do more collaboration activities as the year progressed. They felt this was due to an increased level of trust between the coach and collaborating teacher.
Part B: Behaviors That Build Trust in the Workplace
Scenario:
Ms. Kim works with a fourth grade team at her school. She always leaves her door open to encourage her colleagues to feel free to come in, and if she is busy she acknowledges their presence and arranges to meet them as soon as possible. She sends the team regular emails with Internet resources she feels they may be able to use and then encourages them to have candid conversations about what kinds of skills and support they may need to use these resources in their classrooms. She visits their classrooms often to model lessons, co-teach or just observe. The teachers feel comfortable with Ms. Kim because they know she has knowledge to share and will not be judgmental about their abilities.
Part E: Think AboutThink about and jot down two or three ways you have built trust in your coaching as you have:
Part G: Conclusion
guiding questions for reflection
wows and wonders
Reflect on Roles and Trust- page 1 -IntroductionWhat roles will you take when coaching? Why is trust-building important in coaching? What coaching communication skills can be used when reflecting about your coaching experiences?
Getting StartedIn this activity you'll begin to answer these questions as you:
- Review coaching roles.
- Review a coaching skill: conflict as a resource.
- Learn about trust-building
- Review communication skills and then use them to reflect on your coaching experiences.
- Facilitator- Planning and leading meetings, activities, and staff development in one-on-one, small group, or large group situations.
- Collaborator- Working together with colleagues to plan, implement, and evaluate activities.
- Expert - Acting as a subject matter expert on a variety of topics.
- Catalyst - Helping teachers reflect on and improve their practice by using questions strategies and skills that assist colleagues to become effective instructional decision makers.
Part B: Conflict as a ResourceMost people try to avoid conflict whenever possible, but you learned that conflict can be a resource for highly effective groups who are trying to improve teaching and learning. Conflict can help groups make better decisions if they focus on issues and problems and not people. Coaches can help groups resolve conflict and work more effectively by:
- Using protocols to structure conversations.
- Using communication skills to help members more clearly understand each other.
- Active Listening - The coach monitors and controls his/her behavior, attending to the conversation, using pauses, locking out competitive thoughts, and leaning forward to attend to the speaker.
- Paraphrasing - Lets the other person know you are trying to understand them and value their thoughts. Restating what was said indicates acceptance of the ideas and offers encouragement to continue. Try not to use the "I" word when paraphrasing. Instead use "So." Using "I" means you are taking ownership of the ideas and are not honoring the speaker's thoughts.
- Questioning - Coaches use two kinds of questioning strategies when coaching:
- Clarifying questions: These are factual questions asked to help the speaker be more specific and add clarity to the conversation. These questions do not require a lot of thought to answer since they are basically factual. Clarifying questions ask things like, "How was the information presented? How many students were in the group? What learning standard was used?"
- Probing questions: These questions require the speaker to really think before answering. They are often prefaced with a paraphrasing statement and do not offer a solution. These questions help the speaker focus. Probing questions ask things like, "What might you do next? What did you learn from doing that? How do you feel it went?"
Reflect on Roles and Trust- page 2 -IntroductionWe understand that communication skills are important to building relationships, but you may have wondered why we have spent so much time talking about them in the Peer Coaching Program. Let's take a moment to discuss why.
Part A: Coaching and TrustCharacteristics of successful coaching include respect, cooperation, personal regard and trust. A dictionary might define trust as “reliance on the integrity, strength, ability, or truth of someone.” Previous coaches reported that they were able to do more collaboration activities as the year progressed. They felt this was due to an increased level of trust between the coach and collaborating teacher.
- Why is trust critical to coaches?
- What can coaches do to engender trust?
Part B: Behaviors That Build Trust in the Workplace
- Acts consistently and responsibly
- Listens attentively to others' ideas
- Uses communication skills to promote open discussion
- Keeps promises and commitments
- Is open minded
- Advocates for others
- Communicates accurately, openly and honestly
- Treats others with respect
- Displays compassion for others
- Shows confidence in others' abilities
- Respects others' time
- Maintains a strong focus on teaching and learning
- Strives to be knowledgeable
- Is committed to personal success for self and others
- Listens to and values what others say
- Actively encourages others
- Spend a few minutes considering how the Trust Model and the Behaviors That Build Trust can help to answer these questions:
- Why is trust critical to coaches?
- What can coaches do to engender trust?
- Turn to a partner and share your ideas.
- Return to the larger group and share the suggestions you and your partner generated.
Scenario:
Ms. Kim works with a fourth grade team at her school. She always leaves her door open to encourage her colleagues to feel free to come in, and if she is busy she acknowledges their presence and arranges to meet them as soon as possible. She sends the team regular emails with Internet resources she feels they may be able to use and then encourages them to have candid conversations about what kinds of skills and support they may need to use these resources in their classrooms. She visits their classrooms often to model lessons, co-teach or just observe. The teachers feel comfortable with Ms. Kim because they know she has knowledge to share and will not be judgmental about their abilities.
Part E: Think AboutThink about and jot down two or three ways you have built trust in your coaching as you have:
- Recruited teachers
- Coached teachers
- Presented your coaching plan
Part G: Conclusion
- What did you learn about building trust? What ideas did you gain for your own coaching program?
- How is increased attention to communication skills impacting your conversations?