My new coaching job

 

I started a new job this year. I am really excited for my new position. However, the person I replaced was not clear on her position and now I am dealing with the repercussions from that. Many do not know or understand my job; therefore, I am thrust in many directions as I try to explain that these other tasks are secondary or collateral duties that I am willing to offer support in, but not until I fulfill my tasks properly, fully, and to the best of my ability. 

This experience brings to mind a quote. You know I love quotes and I am sure it comes from all the reading I do. “When you educate one person you can change a life, when you education many you can change the world.” I think this is a great teacher quote by Shai Reshef. So, I coach teachers. I am a student-centered instructional coach that’s purpose is to help teachers be the best they can be. Some of my collateral duties are to support student interventions, I do this through modeling for teachers and other staff as well as what we call a Response to Intervention team. I do not only work with teachers but also with students and I love every minute of this work. I am still working to make the world a better place. I encourage teachers to want to do more and realize that they still can get better every day and that they do not have to settle when things are not working for the best. I am a partner in their educational journey.

So, my new job has made me sit to think about why I am in education, and it brought me back to the realization that even experts need a coach or partner to be their external eyes and ears. We can all get better, and we do have the ability to learn something new every day. Do not give up, if you feel burnout in your job, reach out for support. Know that no one is ever done learning and there is always someone on the job or even a friend willing to offer support that can help you grow and get better. Even surgeons need coaches. Would you want to be under the knife of a surgeon who thought they had already learned everything? Not me. Go forward and be your best self, keep learning and asking for constructive criticism. I know for a fact you will hear what you are doing well, but why not hear what could use some modifications?