Use your smile to change the world. Don’t let the world change your smile.—Unknown
How do you keep yourself so positive in your coaching role? This question has been posed to me a time or two recently. Each time, I find myself chuckling in response. Why the chuckle? one might ask. It’s because early on in my coaching role, it felt as if my infamous positive vibes were being put to the test. The daily stresses and pressures of meeting state standards, enhancing the professional practice of a variety of teachers, and growing my own professional practice all at the same time presented me with a new set of challenges. How was I to navigate through those challenges and maintain my positivity?
The consistent smiles and excitement of trying new ideas with students was getting lost in this new set of challenges, and I missed them dearly. And then, while sharing Carol Dweck’s growth mindset philosophy with teachers during a professional development experience, it hit me. I had been getting stuck in the fixed mindset of my new coaching role. Somehow the growth mindset that I had embraced as a classroom teacher and reading specialist had vanished. My positive energy and comforting smiles were ready to make a comeback!
I began searching for ways to nurture my growth mindset in my coaching role. Through listening intently and asking colleagues, I discovered a few hidden gems that brought positivity and smiles back to my coaching role.
Here I share those hidden gems and encourage other coaches, when feeling their positivity fading, to consider trying one of them.
Hidden Gem 1: Inspirational and Informative Podcasts
Flashback to Coaching Year One: I spent most of my lengthy commutes listening to the same playlists of songs over and over again. Sure, I did spend a lot of that time reflecting on the day that had passed and wondering how I could make sense of the ideas moving forward. Yet, by the time I got home, a part of me was still dwelling on what could have been from that day. In addition, I found myself becoming overwhelmed with trying to keep up with all the latest research and innovative ideas.
The Here and Now: I fill my afternoon commutes with podcasts. Listening to others as they engage in reflective practice and share up-to-date research on how to enhance our instructional practices gives me just what I need to close out a day of learning: reflecting on what has been and entering a new day of exploration with them. My commutes are now home to the infamous time I was seeking to build my confidence and grow my own professional practice through research and mentors.
Consider This: We all have a commute. Whether it’s a five-minute drive or a 45-minute trek, consider using this time as an inspirational information boost. Remember, think smarter, not harder, about your time!
Below are some of my favorite podcasts to listen to on the commute:
Hidden Gem 2: Mindset Change-Up
Flashback to Coaching Year One: I thought a coach had to have all the answers. Any question that was placed in my court, I thought I needed to answer right then and there. And because of that, I put a lot of pressure on myself to be the bearer of all the answers. I remember being anxious right before meeting with teachers, for fear that I would not know how to respond to their needs or address their concerns in the moment.
Here and Now: I realized that it is impossible to have all the answers at my immediate disposal. After all, we are always learning. Through my transparency in being a learner with my teachers, I am modeling continuous improvement in our professional practice. The following are phrases that I use in my coaching sessions to exercise my own growth mindset:
- This is a puzzle! Let’s work on figuring it out together.
- What is our challenge to collaborate on this week?
- Let’s try this idea and see what happens!
- I’ll look into that idea further and get back to you.
Consider This: “Strive for progress, not perfection.” This quote, from an unknown source, will bring you much comfort in celebrating the progress you are making on a daily basis. Consider stretching your mind and embracing a growth mindset. Remember, you are always growing!
Hidden Gem 3: Process Partners
Flashback to Year One: I was fortunate to begin my coaching role working alongside another coach. This coach was my mentor and friend, the one I celebrated with, laughed with, and even cried with while in this new role. We started each new day by reviewing what was to come and ended each day reflecting on what had occurred. This coach became my process partner, and our coach-to-coach collaboration led to the discovery and growth of my ever-present reflective practice.
Here and Now: I enjoy the consistent collaboration of a few process partners. These process partners listen. They assist me in navigating through coaching situations and scenarios. We consider possibilities and continuously put things into perspective before moving forward with any decisions.
Consider This: We all have that person we can count on. Consider finding the person or people who will be your process partner(s), helping you navigate through scenarios and situations together. Remember, you are not alone!
Hidden Gem 4: Coaching Is Customizable
Flashback to Coaching Year One: Coaching seemed like a one-size-fits-all idea. I thought every teacher needed to be coached in the same way, and for the same amount of time, in order to be “fair.” It seemed to me as if there was only one “right” way to coach. And that only led to frustration when that “right” way felt impossible for some to grasp.
Here and Now: My coaching is customizable. I embrace the notion that everyone benefits from engaging in the coaching experience when it is personalized to build on their strengths and support their current needs. Some teachers I coach through a team collaboration, to support their professional collaboration, whereas other teachers I coach within the classroom setting, trying out new ideas to support student learning. Coaching opportunities for teachers have become more like a menu of options to explore.
Consider This: Explore the different ways coaches can customize their experiences with teachers. Make a list of all those opportunities. Use the list as you determine how best to support the teachers you work with throughout the school year. Remember, coaching isn’t one-size-fits-all!
Hidden Gem 5: Smile File
Flashback to Coaching Year One: I found myself consumed with negative energy around that one teacher refusing to have me in her room, the one teacher not responding to my emails, or the one teacher resisting new ideas in our PD experiences. These professional struggles suppressed all the individual daily successes with teachers.
Here and Now: I continuously add to my Smile File. The Smile File is where I compile all that makes me happy in my role and reminds me why I do what I do. I have collected meaningful quotes and emails from teachers, celebrating our work together.
Consider This: Start your own Smile File. Collect emails of appreciation, pictures of student and teacher successes, and motivational quotes (to name a few items). Open up your Smile File often to celebrate your progress and purpose as a coach. Remember, smiles are contagious!
“The trick to having happy students is to first be happy yourself.” I discovered this quote from WeAreTeachers the other day and instantly felt the connection to our work as coaches. If we are to have teachers embracing positivity in their daily work, we as coaches must first be positive ourselves. As coaches, we must be mindful of when our positivity is fading and search for hidden gems that will refresh our positive vibes. Coaching with positivity turns the impossible into possible!
