Compassionate Coaching

<p><strong>When we embark on a journey every action revolves around the destination. Of course not all trips are smooth sailing. We inevitably hit distractions obstacles and detours. These challenges threaten to blow us off course but when we stay focused on the destination rather than the barriers we can move forward.<p>The same is true in education.</strong> Barriers to effective teaching are neither permanent states nor character traits. Rather they are temporary challenges successful coaches help teachers overcome by connecting them with the right methods and keeping them focused on the destination.<p>In <em>Compassionate Coaching</em> Kathy Perret and Kenny McKee identify the six most vexing challenges teachers face--lack of confidence failure overload disruption isolation and school culture challenges--and the six corresponding ways that coaches can help teachers surmount them dubbed the compassionate coaching focus areas.<p>Coaching with compassion is a process focused on partnership empowerment prioritization routine connection and openness. Done well it can result in transformational improvements to student achievement and teacher work satisfaction. In some cases it can even shift the trajectory of whole schools.<p>Roadblocks and detours can get in our way when we are coaching just as they can during any journey. Instead of grumbling about the setbacks we can open our eyes to the possibilities of a new and better route. That's what compassionate coaching offers. Let's go!</p>