In our experience with Real Time Teacher Coaching , if teachers feel they have all the answers and are resistant to change , they will never grow at the same rate as a teacher who is willing to receive feedback openly , and who listens to what they can do to get better . Great teachers must not only want to get better , they must understand what they must do to get better , and then be willing to do it .
Why is this quality hard to find ? “ Growth mindset ” is a buzz term that is often overused and underachieved in the education world . We have seen teachers who claimed to have a growth mindset , only to say in a coaching session , “ I ’ ll take your feedback if I think it will work .” A teacher who is truly coachable for a growth mindset will say , “ Okay , I will try this because I trust you and I want to get better .”
How do you interview for it ? Put this concept in motion during the interview , and shift the focus from “ what ” the candidate says to “ how ” she responds when there is pushback :
• Provide the candidate with feedback about any answers that are not optimal . Give him the opportunity to think and change his responses . Notice the non-verbal cues you observe when you provide feedback . What difference did you hear in the second attempt ? Receiving feedback and adjusting in the moment are critical .
• At the end of the interview , leave five minutes to ask the candidate to reflect upon her three strongest responses and her one area of weakness during the interview . The candidate ’ s responses , if accurate , will inform you that regular reflection is part of her professional identity . If candidates struggle to recall answers and information they shared during an interview , chances are they may struggle to reflect when they interact daily with hundreds of students and parents .
The ability to build life-altering relationships
What is it ? It ’ s easy for each of us to think we ’ re good at building relationships . We all have strong relationships with our spouses , children and friends . It ’ s a tall order , however , to build a relationship with someone with whom you don ’ t live or have much in common . It ’ s even more challenging when you only see a child for an hour or two a day , or when he or she struggles to open up to you .
The key to building a life-altering relationship with students is to discern what they need emotionally , and then deliver that in a genuine and trustworthy way . Our CT3 team works with one teacher who has memorized and practiced a different handshake for each of his students . Yet another goes to football practice to ensure her student-athletes see and hear her cheer them on . The secret to building life-altering relationships is intentionality .
Why is this quality hard to find ? Many teachers have the desire to form these quality relationships with their students , but they struggle with prioritizing their time . Building a life-altering relationship does take a significant period of time , but it doesn ’ t have to take a large quantity of time . Knowing how to build such a relationship is about a long-term commitment and understanding what it takes to meet a student ’ s needs . The student might need tutoring after school January | February 2017 37