Here and Now: Voices from Teaching and Learning at ISB

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 w...

This is a guest post written by Benoit Pernechele, who has been at ISB for six years, and is moving on from his position this summer. During his time at ISB, Benoit has benefited from the novice mentoring program, and completed coaching cycles twice. Here, he reflects on his time at ISB, and looks forward to his next steps. I hope you enjoy what I'm thinking of as a "love letter to ISB". There's an English translation below, so scroll down if you prefer to read in English. -Kristin  Une grande aventure humaine Je me souviendrai toujours de mes débuts à ISB. Pas seulement ma découverte du campus qui m’avait complètement soufflé, moi qui n’avait connu que l’enseignement public belge. Mais en particulier mes premiers jours et premières semaines. Ma situation était quelque peu singulière. Tout d’abord, par mon profil : belge francophone à l’anglais correct mais encore trop théorique et pas assez pratique. Comprendre tout et tout le monde en tout temps me demandait beaucou...