The Reluctant One and How to Help
Everyone learns in their own way. While this is something we typically keep in mind regarding how we present information for students, we sometimes forget the same idea applies to teachers as well. Teachers who are brand new to the classroom may be more apt to have an instructional technology specialist/coach offer suggestions or ways to improve in the classroom. A veteran teacher may not be as open to the suggestions. As I have provided training and coaching this school year, I have found the above statement to be true.
Everyone learns in their own way. While this is something we typically keep in mind regarding how we present information for students, we sometimes forget the same idea applies to teachers as well. Teachers who are brand new to the classroom may be more apt to have an instructional technology specialist/coach offer suggestions or ways to improve in the classroom. A veteran teacher may not be as open to the suggestions. As I have provided training and coaching this school year, I have found the above statement to be true.
I am working with two teachers for the coaching project. Teacher A is a second-year teacher and eager to continue to improve her instruction and classroom management skills. She is open to any suggestions that are offered and wants to learn new skills to share with her students. Her coaching sessions have not been a struggle.
Teacher B is a little bit different. Teacher B is a 15-year teacher that has seen success in the way she handles her classroom. She attends workshops, training and coaching sessions but has a more difficult time with accepting and implementing these strategies in her classroom. Once she implemented the first strategy and saw some success, she was a little more intrigued by the conversations in other coaching sessions. During the first coaching session, the honor confidentiality technique was implemented. I wanted to make sure she knew that I was there to offer my help and would not critique her or the outcomes.
I know not all coaching experiences will be as easy as these two have been. However, the same mentality will need to be implemented with any coaching situation. The text mentions six techniques for working with reluctant teachers (Marzano, Simms, Roy, Heflebower, & Warrick, 2013, p. 216). These techniques ensure a classroom teacher the instructional technology coach is there to help improve teaching opportunities not evaluate the teacher or critique them. Once this is established and agreed, the coaching conversations should be more enjoyable.
Regardless of the coaching situation, if a teacher's attitude to change is negative, the coaching experience will be more challenging (Marzano, Simms, Roy, Heflebower, & Warrick, 2013, p. 215). Keeping things honest and fun might help the situation. Since I work with elementary teachers, this video could be used to encourage reluctant teachers to at least try to improve their instructional practice. References:
Marzano, R. J., Simms, J. A., Roy, T., Heflebower, T., & Warrick, P. (2013). Coaching
classroom instruction. Bloomington: Marzano Research Laboratory.
Pixar Life Lessons - Disney Top 10 [Video file]. (n.d.). Retrieved from
http://video.disney.com/watch/pixar-life-lessons-disney-top-10-510e036c45743d0e047be35a
http://video.disney.com/watch/pixar-life-lessons-disney-top-10-510e036c45743d0e047be35a
Jaclyn,
ReplyDeleteYou talked about negative attitudes and specifically how to handle those delicate situations. I know that is one of the biggest obstacles I face here at the high school, not necessarily aimed at me personally, but in their situation. The biggest attitude I've experienced is that they don't want to be coached because they don't have time. But that is really the root of their problem. Things are not as efficient as they could be because the most effective strategy is not being used in the first place. And truthfully, I don't have all the answers but I think when we put our minds together and I put my will to make things better, an authentic, productive relationship can be formed.
I know exactly what you mean about having a challenging time working with those with a negative attitude. I am not directly coaching anyone like that now, but I have in the last two years. We implemented a new email system. Many that were barely using our old system did not understand or like having to learn a new one. They have little motivation and even less skill and are difficult to coach, (Marzano & Simms, 2013). I have had to remain patient and remember that I am dealing with adults and not students. Although difficult students can be easier than difficult teachers.
ReplyDeleteMarzano, R. and Simms, J. (2013) Coaching Classroom Instruction. Marzano Research Laboratory, Bloomington, IN.