The Art of Coaching - Beliefs by Elena Aguilar

Which beliefs help a coach be more effective?

The next chapter of "The Art of Coaching" by Elena Aguilar is about our beliefs and how they affect our actions.  To understand our beliefs, we first must understand where our beliefs come from.  The author tells about The Ladder of Inference which helps us see how our beliefs were formed and how they can build to misguided beliefs.  Through the beliefs we construct for ourselves, we begin to think of them as truths.  If our beliefs, such as believing that the teachers we work with are not good teachers and will not ever be, we allow this belief to guide our actions in a way that won't be the help they need.  To keep this from happening, we have to reflect on what our core values are and if our beliefs match these core values.  This process includes "privately clarifying, publicly articulating, and consciously acting on" the core values we hold.

The author goes on to tell about writing her manifesto, outlining her core values so they help her stay aligned to her vision of coaching.  She tells about the 10 beliefs in her manifesto:

1.  Everything is connected.  We are all connected and share responsibility.
2.  Meet people where they are.  In meeting people where they are, we can understand why they are where they are.
3.  There is no coaching without trust.  Trust takes time to earn and is one of the most important parts of coaching.
4.  "Words create worlds."  A. Hartman, Social Work.  We have to listen carefully.
5.  Be here now.  Be in the moment. This will help us be better listeners.
6.  Transformation takes time.  Understand change won't happen overnight; be patient.
7.  "Justice, justice shalt thou pursue." Deuteronomy 16:20.  Our work must be driven by a pursuit of justice.
8.  The journey is the destination.  We must understand it is the journey that is what is important not the ends.
9.  Be unattached to outcome.  We want transformation, and we must be open to whatever that transformation is.
10. We can transform our education system.  We have to believe it can happen and always work toward it.

This have given me a lot to think about.  What are my core values regarding coaching, education, and transformation?  I have a lot of thinking to do and a manifesto to write!!

Coaching as an Art

Coaching as an art is an interesting idea that Elena Aguilar writes about in her book The Art of Coaching.  I am beginning a book study of this book and right from the beginning it is challenging my thinking about coaching.  In her book, Elena Aguilar talks about coaching being transforming.  Transforming, wow!  I hope I'm up for the task!  She says that for coaching to be transforming it includes improving teacher practices, addressing systemic issues, and improving outcomes for children.  I like to think I'm doing all of these great things, but it has made me take a close look at my practice.  If we equate instructional coaching to the ancient practice of apprenticeship, then I should not only teach, but learn.  I sometimes feel like I get more out of a coaching meeting than I bring, but I'm finding it's okay.

The first couple of chapters have already made me think deeply about what my purpose is when I go into a classroom.  I know I want to encourage, support, and cause forward movement, but I also want this to happen in a safe and productive way.  The author says the art of coaching is doing, thinking, and being.  That we not only need to help change the doing, but the thinking and being as well.  It is an interesting and challenging thought.  Can I help to change the way of being in the schools where I work?

At this point I have more questions than answers, but I am hopeful I will get a lot of them answered.  I'll keep you posted.