Multi-Classroom Leadership
Leading Effective Coaching Conversations
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Do Now
From your experience being coached or from
coaching others, how would you define coaching?
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Learning Objectives
During this session, participants will…
• Define what coaching is and learn how to use
the GROW coaching cycle.
• Practice leading coaching conversations.
• Explore ways to follow up coaching
conversations with practice activities.
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Coaching: A Definition
Coaching is partnering with individuals in a thoughtprovoking and creative process that inspires them to
maximize their personal and professional potential.
(International Coaching Federation, 2005)
Feedback
Help individuals be aware of
strengths and areas of growth.
Leads to acceptance that
something needs to change.
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Coaching
Help individuals achieve the
new goals that feedback
helped them set.
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Coaching: GROW Model
Source: Whitmore, John. (2009). Coaching For Performance. Boston: Nicholas Brealey Publishing
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A Few Golden Rules
“People don’t usually resist change, they resist being
changed.”—Peter Senge
• Coach side by side.
• Question before you tell.
• Offer suggestions when needed.
• Next steps are theirs and must be detailed.
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Coaching Demonstration
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Preparing for a Coaching Conversation
• Read the GROW model handout.
• Select questions you like.
• Record them in graphic organizer.
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Let’s Practice!
• For this activity you will be working in coaching tripods
to resolve a challenge you currently or may face:
– An MCL (coach)
– A team teacher
– An observer
• Each of you will have an opportunity to play each of
the roles.
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The Cycle and the Way Forward
• GROW model is cyclical.
• At the W stage (Way forward), followup sessions will often be needed.
• Role playing, modeling, co-teaching
are coaching tools.
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Pop Quiz!
1. What is the difference between feedback and
coaching?
2. Name the four steps of the GROW cycle and one
question you can use for each step.
3. Extra Credit: If you were working with a teacher
with a fixed mindset, what adjustment would you
make to this cycle?
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Sources
• Whitmore, John (2009). Coaching for
Performance. Boston: Nicholas Bealey Press.
• http://management.about.com/od/managem
entskills/fl/70-Awesome-Coaching-QuestionsUsing-the-GROW-Model.htm
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