What kind of teacher wears a pink shower cap in class?

My Belief

I believe that teachers are coaches too. When teachers learn to use coaching strategies they quickly realise the benefits for themselves and their students.

Teachers are professionals. We know our subjects in depth and we write effective lesson plans. We also adapt our teaching to reach as many students as possible. When we meet students who find it difficult to remember what we are teaching them, we look for ways to make our lessons more memorable. We grow as teachers when we respond to the needs of our students. We are curious, adventurous and courageous, and that means we are willing to go to extremes in service of our students. When we do so, students notice that we are reaching out to them, and they reach back. The connection is beautiful to behold.

Here is an activity that grew out of a 'students are difficult to reach' situation.

Activity: Dress for the Occasion

• Wear different clothes for each topic. 
• Be sure to explore what you are wearing and why you are wearing it.

Rationale: Some students use coloured pens to highlight their notes. They use them to colour-code the information. They are successful in learning large amounts of information. Colour-coding makes it easier for them to recall the information when they need it. 

Martin’s Story

I wanted a way of indicating to my students that we were starting a new topic. I used coloured pens to write the title on the board, but that was not enough. There was too little difference between this lesson and the previous one. 

I created different introductions for each topic, and found that wearing different clothes helped a lot. I got a lot of comments when I changed my clothes.

The breakthrough came almost by accident. I tore my jacket. I always wore my lightweight jacket during the Spring and a heavier one during the Winter. On this day I was wearing the wrong jacket. The students were quick to notice and ask me about it. By accident, I had found a way to capture their attention.

Realising that I had found a source of ideas, I knew I needed a source of materials, literally.

I bought a handful of second-hand jackets and hats from the local thrift shop. Initially, I chose hats and jackets at random, but later I put more thought into the choices - making connections with the topic I was teaching. The idea evolved as I bought caps, sunglasses, handbags, umbrellas and wigs.

You can be sure that, when you turn up for a lesson wearing a bright pink shower cap, your students will have a wonderful time; and remember that lesson, forever.

When the pink shower cap is integrated into the lesson in some way, the pink cap becomes a visual label for the lesson.

Connection to Coaching

• Coaches adapt to the coachee's communication channel. Teachers do that too.
• When teachers explain, they can choose a verbal, visual or physical way to do that.

There are many guiding questions that a coach can ask in order to guide the coachee in reflections, visualisations, setting goals, learning from resistance, etc. Most of those questions are open-ended, and almost always they are asked and answered in a coaching conversation.

And then there are more powerful guiding questions that you learn as you become a certified coach. You are focused on the coachee's world and take your inspiration from them as to which questions to ask. Questions can be made more powerful by asking them in the way the coachee's prefers to communicate. Most people are verbal communicators. They could also be visual or physical (there are others).

If they are more visual. Ask:

• "What does this look like?"
• "Draw what this is like on this sheet of paper."
• "Where are you in relation to you goal? Draw me a picture."

If they are more physical. Ask:

• "Show me (using your body) what this means to you"
• "Using these Lego-bricks, put them where you are and where the goal is, and what's in between."
• "Put me in a pose that shows what it's like to reach your goal... now you do it!"

If you are looking for even more coaching ideas and activities to bring the benefits of coaching to your classroom, they are available online here and in paperback here.

INTERESTED: Speak with Martin about the 12 Steps, or other coaching questions, book your personal meeting here. (no fee)

EDUCATORS: Become certified as an Empowerment Coach in the classroom or school, check out the nonprofit i.b.mee.

COACHES: Provide pro-bono coaching to educators as a part of a coaching in the classroom certification, join a Rountable here.

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