In Learning Forward’s Coaches Academy, I explain that even the most successful coaches may find that some teachers are hesitant to engage in coaching cycles or even coaching conversations. Here are three questions that have proven successful in opening a coaching conversation with some of our most hesitant teachers:

  1. What difficult to teach or learn concept is coming up for your classes in the next few weeks? Asking a teacher to try something new in an already challenging situation may be perceived as more helpful and inviting than asking them to change something they don’t perceive as problematic.
  2. What aspect of your day is most stressful? Offering to partner with a teacher to address an aspect of classroom management they find stressful will benefit not only the teacher but will also foster development of a more supportive learning environment for students.
  3. If you were watching this lesson being taught in Utopia ISD where all students are strong and capable learners and all student needs can be met, what would you see? (Ask this question with a smile and a light attitude for best results). Asking teachers to let go of barriers and challenges and focus on a vision of successful learning they would like to see can open the door to expanded possibilities, what’s possible with support, or what’s happening in other classrooms on the same campus.

 

While there is no perfect question that “unlocks” coaching conversations, having a repertoire of possible questions increases the likelihood of finding one that fits the current situation or the needs of the person you’re speaking with.

I thought this topic might be helpful now because I’m hearing from many coaches that they are feeling pressure to reach more teachers and deepen the impact of their coaching. Unfortunately, telling coaches to reach more teachers ignores the fact that some teachers are naturally hesitant to engage with a coach. Because effective coaching requires a true partnership, coaches need a variety of ways to invite teachers into conversations focused on solving problems of practice for which the teacher feels a genuine sense of urgency. The three questions offered here should make a nice start to your personal collection of coaching invitations.

Coaches model lifelong learning and one way to do that is to continue pursuing development of our own expertise towards highly effective coaching. In addition to classic Learning Forward coaching resources — Taking the Lead: New Roles for Teachers and School-Based Coaches and Coaching Matters — here are others where you can learn more about enrolling hesitant teachers:

Learning Forward coaching resource collection

Read about Learning Forward’s Coaches Academy–Where Coaches Learn to Coach