Coaching Retrospective: What impact have we had in five years? A little over five years ago, I sat across the table from seven or eight of our school’s senior leadership team to be interviewed for a newly-created position: Teaching and Learning Coach. “Tell us about a time you helped others be reflective.” “What do you think about when you are planning instruction?” The questions weren’t hard to answer, but I had no idea what they thought of my responses. At the time, I really didn’t have a clear concept of what the role of Teaching & Learning Coach would entail or whether I would be a good fit. I went home thinking I had quite possibly embarrassed myself in front of the whole LLT. I guess I did okay in the interview though, because eventually I was offered the role, and became part of a cross-school team. The team has ebbed and flowed a bit over these five years, but one thing has been very consistent: the group of people I’ve been privileged to work with has been amazing. Th
Camera Roll Reflections:
The last eleven months on my camera roll are filled with images like these: nature shots taken on my daily walks, artifacts from a year spent minimizing contact with other humans. (Also featuring heavily: photos of my cats, selfies of myself in different masks, and screenshots of lockdown memes.)
I don't think a day has gone by that I haven't gone for a walk. During the endless spring of improbable sunshine, when fear was creeping up my throat and tears frequently threatened to spill over, I walked. When summer finally arrived, and I missed my annual pilgrimage home to see my family and didn't get to meet my new nephew or see my ailing mom, I walked. When school started back up again in person and I wrestled with how to talk about racism with my students, I walked. Even now, with the wind and the rain and the darkness, I walk and I walk and I walk. I also run or ride my bike sometimes, but even on my worst day I can get myself to go for a walk.
On those walks, I take respite in the ducks and the trees who blissfully exist in the present moment, with no inkling of the anxiety of COVID-19 or the pain of systemic inequity and injustice. I do walking meditations. I listen to podcasts sometimes. I try to make sense of the the world.
Actually, as I reflect on this turbulent year, I attribute those walks with keeping me (mostly) sane. They have calmed my frayed nerves and given me the space to do a lot of personal reflecting and meaning-making. Here's a bite-sized podcast I listened to recently that helps unpack the science behind why walking in nature can have such a positive impact.
Other important contributors to my wellbeing have been yoga with Adriene, reading, and quality (sometimes virtual) time with my partner, friends, family and colleagues. (Okay, maybe I've indulged in a bit too much retail therapy as well, but I forgive myself. Everybody needs something to look forward to, even if it's a package in the mail. Right?) These are habits that I know I need to keep going with because it feels like we're in the middle of a marathon here, and I need to be able to sustain and focus my energy. I wouldn't say I'm performing at my best at the moment, but I am happy most days and well enough to be of service to my students and colleagues. Clarity about what makes me happy is one gift this pandemic has given me. However, I wouldn't have made any of these realizations without taking the time to reflect.
We do not learn from experience... we learn from reflecting on experience.
- John Dewey
Last school year I was fortunate enough to receive Cognitive Coaching training, which gave me a much clearer idea of what reflection really is, and how to reflect better. A full reflection has four parts:
- Summarize impressions (How did things go?)
- Analyze causal factors (What caused things to go the way they did?)
- Construct new learning (What have I learned from this?)
- Commit to future action (How will I apply my new learning?)
As a coaching team, we believe strongly in the power of reflection to cause professional learning and to improve outcomes for students. Reflecting together with a thought partner who can help mediate your thinking can accelerate and deepen the learning. Reflecting in writing can also be powerful, as it forces you to organize your thoughts, and stops you from taking mental shortcuts.
We're starting this blog as a space to reflect on teaching and learning here and now, in the current context, with all its challenges and little triumphs. Our hope is that reflecting publicly about what we are thinking about and struggling with will build connections and start conversations. With the social distancing rules, it's really easy to feel quite alone at the moment. But we're not alone; we're part of a strong community of educators with big hearts and a wealth of knowledge and creativity to tap into. We're planning to post weekly on Thursdays for the upcoming term. As long as conversation keeps rolling, we'll keep writing.
So...
If you read something here that strikes a chord, leave a comment to participate in the conversation.
If there's something on your mind that you'd like to share and you'd like to write a guest post about your own reflections, get in touch.
If you'd like to use a coach for a Reflection, Planning or Problem-Resolving conversation, you know where to find us. We've got your back.
As you reflect back over the past year, what has supported your wellbeing? We'd love to read some of your reflections in the comments below.
Tricia
Thanks for your candid reflection Tricia! I can relate to so much of what you wrote here. I have personally had quite a bit of anxiety over the past year. Guided meditations and breathing exercises have been a lifesaver for me. I have found so much value in the practice in both my personal and work life. Today our 6th graders did some deep breathing before the MAP assessment and it truly helped them focus for an extended period of time! My reflections tell me to keep practicing.
ReplyDeleteBreathing exercises and meditation are definitely great tools for getting a handle on anxiety and stress.
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