Rory Courlander
Associate Certified Coach (ACC)/ Leadership Performance Coach/ Coaching Facilitator/ Teaching and Learning Coach/ IB Psychology
Embarking on my Coaching Journey: Transforming Education Through Coaching
My first encounter with coaching was in 2018 when I was given the opportunity to participate in the CoachU Coaching Clinic for Leaders. This two-day training introduced me to the process of coaching and allowed me to experience its benefits firsthand. Following this training, I became convinced of the need to transition from a system of mentorship to one of coaching for students, teachers, and leaders in education.
Peer Coaching for Educators
As I implemented various coaching tools with my students, I had an "aha" moment. How can the success of peer coaching in my classroom serve as a strategy to enhance the impact of teaching strategies on student learning outcomes? With the support and guidance of reading materials such as Cognitive Coaching, Jim Knight’s instructional coaching books, and the GROWTH Coaching model in education, I began collaborating with our superintendent and head of teaching and learning to create a vision for embedding coaching in our school.
One approach was to develop a professional development program focused on using the peer coaching model to provide a collaborative and supportive framework for our educators to reflect on and gain clarity regarding how best to support their students' learning. I facilitated five sessions for each division, with a focus on developing the coaching skills of all our educators, assigning coaching partners for professional support and reflection, and conducting peer coaching observations. The purpose of peer coaching is to benefit the observed teacher, with the teacher being viewed as the expert in their students’ learning.
Read the full story here .
Rory's Strategic Steps and Outcomes
Introduction to Coaching (2018)
Step. Participating in the CoachU Coaching Clinic for Leaders.
Outcome. Became convinced of the need to transition from mentorship to coaching for students, teachers, and leaders in education.
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Coaching in the Classroom (2018-2023)
Step. Implementing coaching strategies with IB psychology students, including shifting communication from telling to asking, integrating peer coaching, and utilizing tools like the 'wheel of revision.'
Outcome. Enhanced student engagement, academic success, and psychological safety in the classroom; presented teaching strategies at the GEMS IB Conference in 2023.
Peer Coaching for Educators (2019-2023)
Step. Developing a professional development program focused on peer coaching for educators, aligning with Steve Barkley's work on student production behaviours.
Outcome. Enhanced collaboration and support among educators, improved teaching strategies, and increased focus on student learning outcomes.
Leadership Coaching in Education (2022-2023)
Step. Pursuing accreditation with the International Coaching Federation (ICF) and creating a coaching role at the school.
Outcome. Became an Associate Certified Coach (ACC) and licensed CoachU Coaching clinic facilitator, offering leadership coaching to senior leadership team members, leading to increased goal attainment and psychological well-being.
Expansion of Coaching (2023-present)
Step. Facilitating the CoachU Coaching clinic for all members of the senior leadership team.
Outcome. Cultivated a coaching mindset among leaders, fostering effective communication and positively influencing others.
Overall Outcome.
Leveraged coaching for personal and professional growth, serving as a model for others in education to embrace coaching as a transformative tool.
These strategic steps and outcomes demonstrate a progressive journey of integrating coaching into various aspects of education, from the classroom to leadership roles, with a focus on enhancing student learning outcomes, teacher effectiveness, and overall school culture.