If you are new to the idea of coaching, here is a short description for you to decide if it’s right for you…
What is Coaching?
If you could wake up tomorrow and begin living your life the way you want to live it, what would be different?
Whatever you just thought of – THAT is the change I can support you to make through the process of coaching. Whether you would have more time for your hobbies, more work/life balance, or to use more of your leadership abilities at work – I am here to support you in those goals! The International Coaching Federation (ICF) defines coaching as partnering with clients in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires you to maximize your personal and professional potential.
I also like this definition from the book, Co-Active Coaching (Whitworth, Kimsey-House, Kimsey-House, and Sandahl):
Coaching is not about solving problems, although problems will be solved. It is not primarily about improving performance, attaining goals, or achieving results, although all of that will certainly happen in an effective coaching relationship. We believe that coaching is chiefly about discovery, awareness, and choice. It is a way of effectively empowering people to find their own answers, encouraging and supporting them on the path as they continue to make important choices.
Coaching assumes that our clients are naturally creative, resourceful, and whole. This isn’t about fixing you. This is about supporting you to unlock your own wisdom and possibilities while exploring new ways of thinking so that you can attain your highest potential.
Why do Teachers Need Coaches?
Teachers are leaders. Teachers are extraordinarily high-functioning people. Teachers also are especially prone to improper work-life balance, stress, overwhelm, negativity, and a far-too-full schedule. These things put teachers on a crazy cycle of fighting to survive. I know because I was there. I was a teacher fighting that same battle (read more about me here).
I want to help you get out of survival mode and into thriving mode!
Read a full explanation on the value of coaching for teachers in this blog post.
What Outcomes Could I Expect?
First off, there are no guaranteed outcomes with coaching because you own the end of your story – not me. If I could, I’d write the story in the most amazing way possible for you, but you will have to be the one to do the work! For a lot of my clients, they have found that small tweaks (especially to their mindset and mental focus) have transformed the way they teach and live. Typically, teachers ask me to work with them on the following:
- Improving Work-Life Balance
- Stress Reduction
- Prioritizing Self-Care
- Finding Peace Amid the Politics and Drama of Schools
- Managing the Overwhelm
- Staying Organized
- Developing Leadership Skills
- and more!
How Much Does a Coach Cost?
I have coaching packages that work for most budgets. Read more about my packages for one-on-one and group coaching.
Who Leads the Coaching Session & What Do We Focus On?
If you think about coaching like a sports team, a coach is the guide who helps you as the player develop your skills, keeps you accountable, and reminds you to remember the “end game”. But you are the one playing the game! YOU are living your life – thus, coaching is entirely led by YOU! You set the agenda for what you want to accomplish through coaching (the “end game”), and I come alongside you and support you in discovering, reflecting, and staying focused on your agenda, and ultimately attaining your goals.
While my coaching services are directed at teachers, we will not solely focus on your career as a teacher, your practices, or your students. Instead, our work together will focus on YOU and what you feel is missing, broken, or just plain overwhelming for you to manage your WHOLE LIFE – including your calling as a teacher, the other hats you wear in your life, as well as your personal well-being.
Just like a best friend would do, I care about YOU first and foremost. But more than a friend, I will push you at times, challenging you to examine patterns of behavior and thought that may be getting in your way.
I care about you having a life you love, are energized by, and feels authentic to you.
I hope to work with you soon!