What are the best ways to communicate with teachers you are coaching or mentoring?

The best ways to communicate with teachers you are coaching or mentoring include being approachable, actively listening, providing constructive feedback, and maintaining open and regular communication channels, which can include in-person meetings, email, or virtual platforms like video calls. Tailor your approach to the individual needs and preferences of the teachers you are working with.

I believe in talking to people the same way I would like to be spoken to as an individual and professional. Effective communication goes a long way in building a strong rapport and trust with the teachers we are mentoring. I believe in being objective and not confrontational when dealing with people. This has helped me to win more teachers to my side due to my style of working with them. I ask them open-ended questions to make them think critically to solve problems and create.

When we talk of expectations / goals, one often forgets the other big A in SMAART. This A stands for agreeable. While setting goals, the manager must ensure that the goals being set are agreeable to both parties. That’s the first step towards intrinsic ownership. If we are able to do this well, there is a high chance that follow up will not be needed as the individual would do their best to chase and achieve the goal.

The first thing I do with new teachers is to conduct a SWOT analysis with them to understand. identify and differentiate between their areas of strengths and weaknesses to turn their weaknesses into opportunities. This has helped me to move further by creating a working plan to work with them. Plan a SMART goal as much as possible for more effectiveness.

The first thing I do with new teachers is to conduct a SWOT analysis with them to understand. identify and differentiate between their areas of strengths and weaknesses and turn their weaknesses into opportunities. This has helped me to move further by creating a working plan to work with them. I make my plans SMART as much as possible for more effectiveness.

Self-reflection helps to challenge and support both newly qualified and experienced teachers to examine their beliefs, assumptions, and actions, and to explore alternative perspectives and possibilities. The art and act of reflecting on my practices has helped me to improve my social, emotional, and professional well-being.

Feedback and Feedforward are supremely important in any coaching / mentoring relationship. The key is to get to these pointers through intentional self reflection exercises which help the individual take ownership of their actions, and future development as well.

Because every learner is different same as the teacher. Giving room for individual differences and seeing every teacher as a unique being who learns differently is key to motivating them to learn according to their strengths and accept who they are. Every child is different just like their teachers. Mentors should be flexible enough to accommodate all learners with their learning capabilities and styles. The success of every teacher lies in their mentors' style of teaching and support system. Mentors should integrate technology, play, songs, and other teaching methodologies to help achieve raising teachers who would make a difference.