09+Coaching

= **Coaching** =


 * Text Support & Personal Experience:**
 * Lambert introducing coaching by stating, "Coaching stems from the same principles as dialogue, but entails an even more personal approach, since it usually occurs one on one" (2003, p. 34). For the past few years I have been serving as a technology coach in the district. I have really enjoyed to opportunity to get to know fellow staff members better and help them find ways to effectively integrate technology into their curriculum. Oftentimes by working one on one or in small groups with staff, I learn to understand more about the staff as a whole. Lambert also mentions that "questions are meant to expand the respondents focus from being a reflective practitioner to being a leader" (2003, p. 34). I find questioning can be a two-way street. I have certainly learned as much from the peers I have coached as I hope they have learned from me. ~Kate


 * Lambert also states "coaching is an invaluable aspect of leadership development." (2003, p. 36). Where would any of us be without expert coaching? From the first student coop experience to all of the professional development that teachers experience, coaching is invaluable to our growth as teachers and professionals. Lambert reminds us that "because student learning and adult learning are parallel ideas, leadership coaching can be linked with instructional coaching quite easily" (2003, p. 36). As we teach we are learning. ~Laura


 * After reading Lambert’s text, I understand the difference between ‘coaching’ and ‘mentoring’. Coaching is included in leadership mentoring. In Lambert’s text, it states ‘This mentoring process involved coaching, feedback, modeling…’ (2003, p. 34). Coaching also entails a more personal approach. It often occurs one on one, in which coaching questions are asked and ideas are shared. In Lambert’s text, it specifically points out ‘in leadership coaching questions are meant to expand the respondent’s focus from being a reflective practitioner to being a leader.’ (2003, p. 34). Definitely leadership coaching helps with expanding the leadership base. -Jingfang


 * From my coaching experience at a different job, where I was a teller for a credit union, we were required to have coaching meetings with our boss once a month. This was a positive experience for me, because my boss would ask me questions, about how things are going, is there anything that I am having difficulty with, do I have any ideas for changes, etc. My experience relates to what Lambert says about a principal to a teacher to a leadership prospective, "...often coached her by asking what she was noticing and experiencing about her emerging role as a leader." (2003, p. 27) Many times my questions weren't about my leadership role, but sometimes they were. I understand the importance of coaching, and that if you are coaching someone to be a leader the focus of the questions will change. This also stems back to listening...and that a good coach listens to the person they are coaching to gain a true dialogue. -Kelly