Assignment #2 "Send Me in Coach!"

I connected with the article "Send Me in Coach!" in two ways.  The first connection is as a mentor teacher.  As lead teacher for my campus I was assigned four new teachers to mentor last year and continuing this year.  Last year I met with them weekly, observed them in the classroom, provided feedback and generally supported them with any needs. This year we have scaled our meetings back to just once a month, with the understanding that they may come to me at any time with any questions or concerns.  I have really enjoyed getting to support and encourage these new teachers by watching them grow with confidence.  The second connection I made with the article is with my educational coach.  I teach Head Start and we meet monthly with our coach.  I love getting to meet with her and get amazing feedback on things I can do to improve my teaching in my classroom.  I feel like there is always room to grow.  She has helped me grow in my understanding of Head Start regulations and to prepare me for the federal review that we will be undergoing in the near future.

The article talked about how important it is to build relationships.  I found this to be so true when meeting with my new teachers.  In the beginning they were very quiet and hesitant to ask questions or for help. It took several meetings of encouraging them to open up and talk.  Once we got to know one another they felt so much more comfortable asking for and hearing advice.  I think that the support offered to new teachers is so important in the first couple of years.  This ties right back into the article when it says we need to listen.  By listening we build relationships and therefor will be better able to support others needs.

My "aha" moment came at the end of the article with the quote " Helping the teacher to persevere and not give up and celebrating their success, no matter how small, is very satisfying.  It is hard work but ultimately it is worth it.  I have to keep believing that I can and will make a difference." (Oliver, 2007)
This really summed up my experience with coaching.  It is so easy to feel lost and like you are the only one feeling that way.  We need to remember to tell each other great job and to acknowledge what great teaching is going on around us.  We do this for our students so easily, we need to do it just as easily for each other.  We are all a team and we need to support each other.

Oliver, B. (September, 2007) Send ME in Coach! Just for the ASKing! IV(IX),