I Am

     I am busy, Where did this year go? Here it is, December 8, and I'm writing for the first time this year. My second year of Instructional Coaching got off to a busy start. My team and I are in the classrooms a lot more this year so we have less time together. I miss our time to learn together, but the fact that we are all busy with teachers is a good sign. This year I feel like teachers are more willing to dig in and do some changing. We have created a strategies playbook and used the strategies to guide our Professional Development. We are seeing new instructional practices being used in the classroom and getting positive feedback about the effects.
     I am hopeful. I get the opportunity to work with 1 first year teacher and 3 second year teachers. I get energized and excited when I have my weekly meetings. These young teachers are already learning how to be reflective, not afraid to try something new, and getting the opportunity through coaching to start their career with some effective practices. Two of my teachers are music teachers. One is implementing sectional practice in band, and another one is undertaking bucket drumming with a group of middle school students. Working through these coaching cycles has proven to be rewarding and effective.
      I am tired and challenged. I also have the opportunity to work in some classrooms with some very challenging behavior. These students have challenged my patience, my temper, and my skills. There are days I am in the room and I feel very defeated because nothing seems to go the way I expect or hope. There are other days that I everything goes right and we have a classroom of learners that aren't disruptive or angry. Those are the days I celebrate.
      I am building relationships. My relationships with the teachers I work with continue to go stronger. We are learning how to collaborate and trust one another. I also am building relationships with students. Especially some of the high school students. One very hard to reach student actually looks at me and smiles when he sees me in the hallway and will speak to me first.
      I am continuing to learn. I continue to build my skills as a coach. I am learning how to listen better and ask the right questions. I am also learning when to push a little and when to back off. I am learning some weeks there just aren't enough hours in the day.
      I am an Instructional Coach.