I’ve said many times that you can’t change a culture in a school through emails, newsletters, or memos. Those are all necessary, however, to keep the communication going but it doesn’t really change anything. I think the same thing is true about providing resources and tools… they don’t really help to make long-term changes in thinking although they may add another small dimension to something that is happening in the classroom.

Culture is changed through conversation and communication. And, conversation is dependent on building relationships that are established through ongoing communication.

Think of your own family… does anything really change in the long term unless you talk about “it” in person? (And many times, the talking about “it” must happen frequently and consistently to make sure whatever you are trying to change gets heard! 😊)

Relationships change culture. But how are those relationships built?

Instructional coaches are incredibly adept at understanding adult learners and their needs. Coaches are trustworthy, respectful, understanding, experienced, deliberate, reflective, and focused on helping teachers reach their full potential and take ownership of their actions. One conversation at a time is how coaching starts and it continues by supporting teachers and keeping the lines of communication open. These conversations, even in the time of COVID-19, are confidential and non-evaluative, encouraging teachers to make data-driven decisions that will make a difference in their students’ learning.

So, instructional coaches, even though you have spent from March until June in the distance learning world and you may start the year in a remote environment again, you’ve learned a tremendous amount about helping teachers meet the needs of their students. Some things will remain the same either in a F2F environment or a remote one. One of those things is to keep that communication going via phone calls, Zoom calls, GoToMeeting, Microsoft Teams, or other modes of remote F2F communication. Do not let the environment make you forget what helps to create a culture… talk, talk, talk!

What is your communication plan as you work with teachers this coming school year?

In a recent Edutopia issue (June 26), the topic is about mentoring new teachers in a remote environment. The author offers six tips to build teacher capacity, promote teacher agency, and support the classroom focus. I think we all recognize that these three goals are critical in supporting teachers either virtually or in person. Are they really that different in a virtual environment? Haven’t instructional coaches always worked to help teachers grow and take ownership of their own learning? I think these goals are the same; how they are implemented is the difference.

While the six tips are essential for establishing a culture of collective growth, building and sustaining relationships is probably the most important, especially since many of us feel disconnected to our students and to each other during this unprecedented time. It’s a lonely place to find oneself only connected through a digital platform; the loss of control and fear of the unknown fuels the stress levels.

So, here are the six strategies for mentoring (and certainly for instructional coaching) remotely:

1.   Meet weekly in a live platform; it’s helpful to see each other in real time.
2.  Continue to plan your meetings consistently; keep your routines.
3.  Take time to reflect on the year’s action plans; how will they need to change for next year?
4.  Let videos be your friend…direct instruction videos can be uploaded to UTube and reviewed with the coach. Or, schedule the “during” to visit and view a part of the teacher’s class lesson, especially one where the coach and teacher planned together in the “before.” Feedback through videos can be very helpful.
5.  Focus on building and sustaining relationships; it is difficult to start coaching virtually if you and the teacher have not established a trusting relationship. One word of caution…contact many but do not expect to establish a relationship virtually that you have not done in person.
6. Reach out to the teachers you coach and/or mentor to remind them that although you are practicing social distancing in a remote environment, you are there to support teaching and learning wherever they occur.

What tips can you add to this list?