On December 2, 2006, the Houston A+ Challenge hosted a follow-up session for the coaches trained in 2006. We gathered together for the opening moves and an ice breaker where we shared books that had changed our practice. You can read about the special titles here.
The participants then split into two groups. The summer cohort stayed with me, Tim, and Mary, while the fall cohort went to another room with Michaelann and Carolyn. Michaelann and Carolyn mostly recreated the agenda that we did with newly trained coaches at our first meeting on September 9, but added some different readings.
The group that I worked with started with a text-based discussion about stages of team-development, a chapter called “Understanding Group Dynamics and Decision Making” from The Facilitator’s Fieldbook by Tom Justice and David Jamieson. This helped push our thinking about where our groups are and how we can push them forward. After a break, we looked at a dilemma with a student that Paul brought.
The two cohorts reunited for a group debrief and written reflections. Here are excerpts from the written reflections.
What did you learn today?
“I learned how difficult it is to be objective about a dilemma brought by a colleague when I ‘know too much’ about it.”
“A new protocol—actually one we were exposed to but more in depth today.”
“Chalk Talk was great. I am going to try it. I hope every teacher, administrator and professor could attend your meetings. I feel my assets are increasing.”
“The refreshment of the consultancy protocol was needed. The protocol actually led to a more intense discussion. The protocol could have been modified to meet individual needs.”
“I learned that CFG is a process we can place into groups we already have going—all set now to get started.”
“The article on ‘peer-coaching’ presented a different style of coaching. I intend to share this with our content managers at [my high school]. This may be easier and more comfortable for them to use.”
“I learned how well the implementation team can plan and provide a smooth, seamless support.”
“I learned some really great book titles to add to my book collection. I enjoyed hearing the different insights and point of views that were given for the various books.”
“I learned to stick to the protocol, be flexible, stay persistent, work through other avenues, I am not alone. . .
To think like a LEADER!”
“A list of books as resources that I could use in working with my group.”
“I learned that it is important to listen completely when someone is talking. I have a habit of thinking and beginning to formulate an action/statement while someone else is talking. (I am a victim of multitasking)”
What do you need to be a better coach/facilitator?
“3 things: time, time, time”
“To set up our ‘non-negotiables’ our bottom line in terms of supporting our work.”
“Practice”
“A push to just jump in and try it out.”
“I need the support (like I get here) from other coaches.”
“In order to be a better facilitator/coach, I need to be more consistent with trying to implement a CFG and getting people to buy into it.”
“Refresher courses on our campus, possibly.”
“Initiative, risk-taking”
“Take the initiative and stop relying on others. I have the support; I just need to take the lead.”
“Practice, practice, practice.”
“I need to be consistent with my reflections.”
“Continue to read. Continue to dialogue with my peers”
What are your next steps?
“to restructure the CFG’s on our campus”
“meet more often as coaches and maybe roleplay our CFG Coach meetings as a mini CFG. Also, rethink how our CFG groups were formed. (We were grouped artificially by personality inventory) and re-form them.”
“Develop a new approach to implement the CFG philosophy. Continue developing trust within the CFG.”
“I plan to present a CFG to the district counselors in my school district in the 2nd semester of the school year. *I really enjoyed the CFG meeting today! It felt good being back.”
“Go back, talk to principal about what I can assist w/ the implementation of protocols.”
“Use the NSRF website more. Half days are fun, still informative, invigorating--a word we heard a lot today.”
“Utilizing protocols in meetings, classrooms. To engrain in my daily practice w/ groups.”