Steve Barkley Ponders Out Loud

Coaching From Strengths

One of the elements of a Positive Psychology framework to coaching is the use of a strengths- based approach. Explore the value of coaching from strengths, spotting strengths, and times that our strengths can limit our success. Consider the strengths that you have that guide your coaching skills in building from strengths. How do you practice prowling for strengths?

"Want to Bring Out The Best in People? Start With Strengths"
"Positive Psychology in Coaching and Professional Practices"
"S is for The Strengths Coaching Approach" (Questions to Identify Strengths)

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Identifying and Supporting Students’ Sparks

Sparks are skills, talents, or interests that one finds deeply motivating. Students who get joy and energy from using their sparks and learn valuable life skills from their sparks are more likely to do well in school, be more engaged, and be more hopeful about the future. Identify a process that you can use to engage your students in sharing and building upon their sparks.

Read the article, "Finding the Student Spark: Missed Opportunities in School Engagement" here.
Read the article, "Anchor Activity: Identifying Sparks" here.
Watch Peter Benson’s Ted Talk here.

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Ongoing Coaching for Instructional Coaches, Teacher Leaders, & Administrators

When leaders leave workshops and return to the “real” world, they often are overwhelmed by tasks, making it difficult to convert what was learned in a program into actions that address real problems. In workshops, coaches may practice the verbal skills of coaching: questioning, paraphrasing, providing empathy, feedback and support for differing views. But when the pressure is felt in that reluctant teacher conversation, the freeze often sets in.

Debriefing conversations with a coach around what one could have said builds the likelihood that next time, I will. Or, prepping for the conversation with a coach ahead of time builds a confidence that allows for better listening and increases the odds of connecting with the teacher. Explore leadership coaching possibilities.

Read "Vertical Leadership Development:Developing Leaders for a Complex World" here.

Subscribe to the Steve Barkley Ponders Out Loud podcast on iTunes or visit BarkleyPD.com to find new episodes!

Supervision/Coaching Confusion

Some teacher leaders and administrators have job descriptions that include what I would call elements of coaching and elements of supervision. In an effort to be efficient, these leaders sometimes approach the two roles in a single observation and conferencing session. Confusion can arise when the roles mix. Supervisors can be coaches if the teachers believe they can separate the roles. As you listen to this podcast, consider if some of the forms, processes, or practices in your system can be confusing.

View the Evaluation-Peer Coaching Continuum here. 

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Switching Students’ Focus: From Grades to Learning

Many teachers get frustrated with students’ questions such as, "Does this count in my grade?” or "What can I do for extra credit?" Middle school math teacher, Crystal Frommert, shares strategies that teachers can implement to encourage students to focus on learning rather than “getting a grade.” Crystal’s goal: making grades more accurate, collaborative, and much less stressful.

Find Crystal's article, "Five Ways to Help Students Focus on Learning Rather Than Grades" here.

Find Crystal on Twitter: @mrs_frommert

Subscribe to the Steve Barkley Ponders Out Loud podcast on iTunes or visit BarkleyPD.com to find new episodes!

 

Coaching and Program Fidelity

The implementation of new curriculums and/or instructional strategies should create an opportunity for increased team building across a school system. Fidelity is important and unlikely to be built through supervision. Reminding teachers of fidelity in statements rather than in discussions and telling them to “trust the program” may not have the desired impact. Engaging teachers in a partnership with school leaders to learn from the implementation of a new program with integrity should be our goal.

Read the Iris Center article, "Understanding Fidelity of Implementation and Its Importance" here. 

Read Jim Knight's article, "High-Quality Teaching High Fidelity Teaching" here. 

Parents, Caretakers & Kids: Yay for Yoga

Listen in as experienced teacher, founder of Mari Fox Wellness, and author of "Yay for Yoga," Mari Irwin shares her passion and beliefs in the joy of yoga for families.

Visit Mari's website here. 

Find Mari's book here.

Subscribe to the Steve Barkley Ponders Out Loud podcast on iTunes or visit BarkleyPD.com to find new episodes!

A Gratitude-Based Approach to Problem-Solving

What changes if we approach problem-solving with a focus on love instead of a focus on fear? Hear how students have become engaged in exploring change by starting with gratitude rather than beginning with “What needs to change?” Adam Fishman, the founder of Onora, a company with a focus on impacting climate change, shares how his change to a gratitude approach reshaped his company’s approach and how he is sharing that possibility with students.

Visit the Onora website here.
Contact Adam: adam@onoraglobal.com 

Subscribe to the Steve Barkley Ponders Out Loud podcast on iTunes or visit BarkleyPD.com to find new episodes!

 

Psychological Theories and Principles Connected to Coaching

Explore how five different psychological theories or frameworks appear in a coach’s practice: person centered, solution focused, self-efficacy, self-determination, and positive psychology. Steve shares how he sees elements of each in his coaching work.

Read "Creating Coaching Cultures in Schools," here. 

Watch Daniel Pink's video on Motivation here. 

Subscribe to the Steve Barkley Ponders Out Loud podcast on iTunes or visit BarkleyPD.com to find new episodes!

 

Encouraging Students to Slow Down, Breathe, Unplug, and Have Fun

Listen in as Steve talks with experienced teacher, Founder of Mari Fox Wellness, and author of "Yay for Yoga," Mari Irwin. Mari provides yoga workshops at schools and for participants of all ages throughout her community. Explore what teachers can take from an understanding of Yoga to create positive experiences for students that are empowering.

Subscribe to the Steve Barkley Ponders Out Loud podcast on iTunes or visit BarkleyPD.com to find new episodes!