Teaching & Learning

Coaching with Classroom Mastery

Yesterday, Sara Wiggins and Kirsten Furness from Classroom Mastery visited our school coaching leaders and teachers in our recent classroom routines. Teaching is a highly reflective profession, with educators following a continual cycle of reflection for feedback, professional learning and practice, growth and improvement. Coaching provides the opportunity and space to observe and develop teachers... it is not about judging them. The staff at STM truly view themselves as lifelong learners, and keenly embraced the opportunity to further refine their skills and practice under the guidance of Sara and Kirsten.

The sessions involved a 10-minute observation of each teacher and their students demonstrating the agreed routines for the coaches. The coaches take this time to document clear examples of teacher skills and routine steps. Once the observation is completed, the teacher and coach participate in a reflective conversation where the teacher shares their thoughts on the skills they have demonstrated, and the coach provides specific feedback by sharing clear examples of excellence and when needed, providing practical suggestions for improved teacher skill and routine implementation. Teachers have the chance to ask questions and further their knowledge throughout the coaching conversation.

Sara and Kirsten were greatly impressed with what our school has achieved so far in implementing our behaviour curriculum and the teacher skills demonstrated by our teachers. I would like to thank Joanne, Katherine, Marcia, Jess, Donna and Jeanette who welcomed Sara and Kirsten into their classrooms and embraced the chance to further reflect on and celebrate their exceptional skills as teachers. Our LSOs did not go unnoticed, with many comments shared by the coaches of the care, encouragement and additional support they provide our students. Thank you to our amazing support staff. Leaders are learners too, so Declan, Belinda and I had the chance to observe and be coached on coaching, so we can continue to implement these powerful sessions within our school. Last but not least... thank you to Sara and Kirsten for their continued support and generously sharing their knowledge and expertise.

I hope you stay safe and well, and have a wonderful week

Danielle