Coaching: "The Process"

Anyone who really knows me knows that I am an Alabama fan and I love college football. Being a fan of Alabama football, it is natural for me to admire Coach Nick Saban. My admiration for him comes as a result of what he has done as the head football coach at The University of Alabama. Not only has he produced successful players, he has mentored other coaches who have since moved on and received head coaching positions. I mention Nick Saban because of “The Process” that he follows as a coach and the buy-in he gets from his players. In education, coaching is a process and it requires buy-in.

According to Marzano and Simms (2012), “With a complex endeavor such as teaching, it is extremely difficult to reach and then maintain the highest levels of performance without help. The most effective help commonly comes in the form of coaching” (pg. 3). As previously stated, coaching is a process that requires buy-in. As an instructional coach, I understand the importance of buy-in. Teachers want to know that you care, and you are present to assist them in becoming the best. Coaching supports teachers to improve their capacity to reflect and apply their learning to their work with students and in their work with each other (Aguilar, 2016).

My reason for becoming an instructional coach was/is to have the ability to positively reach more students through coaching teachers. There is not a lot of research regarding coaching and the impact it has on student achievement; however, there is research pertaining to coaching and the impact it has on teachers. Joyce and Showers (2002) found that coaching helped teachers transfer their training to the classroom (Marzano & Simms, 2012, pg. 5). Additionally, Aguilar states in her blog that “Coaching is an embedded support that attempts to respond to student and teacher needs in ongoing, consistent, dedicated ways. The likelihood of using new learning and sharing responsibility rises when colleagues, guided by a coach, work together and hold each other accountable for improved teaching and learning.”

So, when we think about coaching and the research regarding the effect it has on teaching and learning, we cannot ignore “The Process”. For effective coaching to take place, it must be properly implemented. Implementation begins with building a relationship grounded in trust.  Secondly, is to provide teachers with timely feedback that is nonevaluative. Lastly, providing the opportunity for teachers to choose what they work on. Coaching enables others to see things in themselves that they once could not see. As you watch the video below, think about “The Process” and what this coach does to motivate all players. Is this not what coaches do in schools every day? They are in the trenches (they understand), they push teachers, while letting them know that they understand their frustration, but they are going to keep moving.Watch the video two or three times, so you can notice something different each time.

                                                            References

Aguilar, E. (2016). The Art of Coaching Teams: Building Resilient Communities that Transform Schools. Jossey-Bass: San Francisco, CA.

 Marzano, R.J. & Simms, J.A. (2012). Coaching classroom instruction. Marzano Research Laboratory: Bloomington, IN.
[Workout Naturally]. [2011, July 15 ]. Motivational Coach Teaches How to Overcome Our Limits! [Video File]. Retrieved from https
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VaEgT0hVuS0