4.3a: Establish trusting and respectful coaching relationships that encourage educators to explore new instructional strategies.

ISTE standards for coaches

Establishing Trusting Relationships

The core of coaching, like the core of teaching is establishing trusting and respectful relationships. No one does well when they don’t trust their coach or feel as if their struggles and successes are not respected.

In a post from February 2022, I discussed ways to ensure that professional development succeeds over time (PD For the Long Run). In this, I highlight the importance of developing long term relationships between coaches and coachees that include frequent check-ins, and repeated collaboration. A key element in insuring these relationships are successful is to build strong relationships based on mutual respect and shared goals.

Another aspect of building trusting relationships is maintaining a realistic view of each teacher’s specific strengths, needs, and comfort with technology. This can sometimes be difficult on hot button issues where a monolithic culture is assumed but where staff backgrounds are diverse. While not specifically technology related, I addressed this concept as an important aspect of coaching in a post regarding supporting staff in their journey to supporting students in marginalized communities. In October 2021, I wrote about staff coaching and training to help make schools safer, more welcoming environments for LGBTQIA+ youth. In this post, I addressed ways in which coaching skills can effectively be implemented to support staff no matter the background from which they approach this challenging issue as they in turn support students.