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Don't Use Coaches as "Fixers"

 


"It is tempting to ask coaches to work only with teachers who seem to be having difficulties with instruction or classroom management. We discourage this "fixer" approach to coaching for several reasons. First, if coaches are perceived as working only with those who struggle, other teachers may not reach out to coaches for support. Second, the coaching relationship becomes less about providing support for all teachers and more about remediation, in which only "struggling" teachers are assigned to the coach." - Jacy Ippolito and Rita M. Bean

Based on the conversations I've had with coaches, this seems to be a common challenge. Coaches often struggle to get teachers to volunteer for coaching cycles because teachers don't want to be viewed as someone who needs coaching - like it's a negative thing. However, the truth is that ALL educators can benefit from good coaching. I think this is why it is important to try to create a diverse coaching roster, with teachers at various skill levels. This will help communicate that coaching is a partnership in which both educators are learning and growing through their collaborative work together.

As a coach, how do you avoid being seen as a "fixer"?


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  1. TPIICJune 24, 2021 at 9:51 AM

    It's all about the role out of an effective instructional coaching model, the expectations, and transparent communication from the onset! Instructional Coaching is not a deficit model!

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