Cultivate a Supportive Coaching Culture

As coaches, change agents and embracers of new technology, we have a positive relationship with change. However, not everyone is happy with necessary changes, and coaches need to create a supportive coaching culture where people are not afraid to fail or to ask for help in order to learn.

ISTE explains that the coach should ‘model best practices and behaviours; lead, mentor and support others, and create a supportive culture including building relationships with educators and leaders, where the coach is approachable, accessible, available and non-evaluative.  The coach should encourage educators, leaders and other educational stakeholders to work together with common purpose and foresight, to visualise the full potential of technology to transform learning and teaching, and to meet individual goals.’ 

Coaches require many skills including being a good communicator, and the ability to build trust and develop empathy with the coachee. The coach should be approachable, accessible, available and non-evaluative. The coach should encourage others in order that technology is embraced to improve teaching and learning, and to help meet individual goals.

Celebrating achievements, even if they are small wins is important. Praise is important for both educators and for pupils. Praise in Teams can be used to celebrate both successful teaching and learning. This could be linked to any efforts or improvements, or could be linked to praise for professional development on Microsoft Learn. Microsoft Learn is an excellent platform for professional development, and staff can be encouraged to share the transcripts of their achievements so others can help them celebrate.

In an environment where people feel that their efforts are being recognised, and the environment is supportive, people may be more likely to consider their weaknesses and opportunities for development, as well as their strengths and achievements. Technology can help support educators when they are looking to learn and develop. For instance, channels in Teams can be used for collaborating on different teaching and learning goals, or for sharing professional development, including videos of technology tips.

Teachers may need perspective on how to develop and Iris Connect filming can be used for self filming and reviewing for improving practice. As teachers develop it can be helpful for their small wins to be noted, to motivate them further.

Power Apps is an excellent tool to create an online skills record and coaching platform. In coaching, deciding on a goal may be the easiest part, and the harder part may be considering the best plan for achieving it. More time spent on the creation of the plan to follow may lead to greater success and Power Apps can help through allowing the creation of a bespoke platform for goal-setting, skills recording and plan creation for both pupils and teachers alike.