Today I came across this quote when I was looking at my Twitter feed and I realized this is what I am asking teachers to do. I am asking them to try something new and perhaps there will be failure. But as educators we need to look at failure as an opportunity to grow and learn.  We can learn from failure-what part of it was good? what part didn't go so well? what can I do next time that will make it better? And here's an idea...ask the students for their feedback. For elementary students this could be as simple as a thumbs up/thumbs down, or a smiley face, straight face, or frown face. In middle school and high school I think students can give more effective feedback as far as what did you like about what we did in class? Did it help you learn? What would you do differently if you were the teacher? Just because we have always done things a certain way doesn't mean we should continue, or worse yet if we do a certain way because that is the way we were taught it is time to try something new.  My challenge as an instructional coach is how do I best help those teachers who are afraid to fail, afraid to step out of their comfort zone? How do I assure them it will be ok. How do I let them know I can get you through this if you just trust me and take the first step?

I don't have the answers...yet. I'm working on my skills as a coach. I'm working on establishing relationships. I'm reading and learning. I will fail along the way. But I will learn and I will get better. And I will try again.