Peer Coaching - Rich Professional Learning in a Climate of Work Intensification
by Ben Calleja & Av Swami
Extracted from GCI Insights - May 2024
Schools are increasing in complexity. Educators report greater diversity in student needs, and higher expectations for teachers to meet standards of good practice, including the use of data to monitor and report on the progress of their students. Added to this are shifts in societal trends and expectations on what role schools should play in supporting young people and families.
Teachers are managing not just ‘workload’ challenges, but also ‘work intensification’, or ‘a feeling of being pulled in multiple directions at once due to the competing and contradictory demands at a given point in time’ (Creagh et al 2023).
We are often asked by teachers and school leaders - how can we engage in meaningful
professional learning in a work environment of increasing complexity and intensification?
Join us for the annual Teaching Leading Coaching Conference taking place in Phoenix, Arizona, or ONLINE in October 2025.
Attendees will gain valuable insights into effective coaching strategies, innovative practices, and practical tools to enhance their coaching skills. Networking opportunities will allow for sharing experiences and ideas with peers from diverse backgrounds. This year features more pre-conference sessions and more leadership-focused content than ever before!
Join host Richard Reid in conversation with Justine Smyth. Justine is currently an executive principal working with the Victorian Academy of Teaching and Leadership based in Melbourne Australia.
A few years ago Justine was tasked with the formidable challenge of amalgamating no less than three neighbouring primary schools and settling them into a brand new build. Change management guru John Kotter states – “In its most basic sense, leadership is about mobilising a group of people to jump into a better future.”
In this episode, Justine is going to share with us how she mobilised three separate groups into one better future that paid respect to all three schools.
In his text An Introduction to Coaching Skills, Christian Van Nieuwerburgh has suggested noticing and giving feedback are key coaching skills. This set me wondering. Is Christian right? What is noticing? What does skillful noticing look like? Can it be learned?
Designed for educators by educators, the Coaching Accreditation Programprovides comprehensive training for educators in the skills, conversational frameworks, and "way of being" of coaching.
Delivered ONLINE by leading experts in the field, this course provides a pathway to industry recognised coaching credentials with the European Mentoring and Coaching Council (EMCC).
Join us at the next cohort!
"The course was a genuinely transformative (even life changing!) learning experience for me. The timing of each element and the strong emphasis on coaching practice and reflection allowed me to reflect, experiment and integrate my learning into my professional practice."
Designed specifically for current and aspiring leaders, Coaching in Leadership is a practical evidence-based course providing in-depth learning and experience of the application of coaching approaches as a highly effective way of leading in schools and other education settings.
"It was wonderful to have our entire Senior Leadership Group involved in this course. It has enabled us to establish a consistent approach to coaching our middle leadership group, whilst also equipping us to be able to encourage that group to use a growth coaching approach and consistent language with their own staff."
Kirsten Hodgson,
Deputy Principal,
Saint Monica’s College VIC
UPCOMING COHORTS: 2 x 2 Day Cohorts - commencement dates below
The Impact Cycle 2-day course is designed to support educators in establishing instructional coaching cycles that lead to improved teaching and student learning.
The course is for anyone who works alongside teachers to help them develop their practice.
"Thank you so much for an amazing 2 days. I have learnt so much and feel much more confident as a leader and to begin engaging in the coaching process with my peers.”
Do you find yourself avoiding difficult conversations - even when you know they need to happen?
The Managing Challenging Conversations 1-day course is designed for leaders and managers who want to enhance their confidence, skills, and understanding to engage in these conversations in ways that maintain high expectations alongside constructive relationships.
"The skills and tools I’ve learned to be clear and concise in my messaging when having challenging conversations - I loved how much time we had to reflect on ourselves and our position in conversations.”
The Solutions Focus Masterclass refines and extends your coaching repertoire by intentionally integrating pragmatic and proven Solutions Focus methods into coaching and leadership conversations.
This is an advanced coaching skills course where participants should have experience applying their coaching skills in their professional roles.
"The Solution Focus Masterclass provided an excellent opportunity to refocus and reset my approach to people management to be more coaching oriented.”
Allyship: Taking a Stand for Fairer and More Equal Societies
Revisit this Curious Conversation where Christian van Nieuwerburgh, Jummy Okoya and Nicky Knight discuss the importance of the role of allies in working towards fairer and more inclusive organisations and societies.
This webinar is aimed toward those who are interested in becoming allies and being more active in diversity, inclusion and equity initiatives. The speakers reflect on the challenges and opportunities of becoming an ally and share practical ideas and strategies for those who want to take on the challenge.
CoachED Update and GCI Insights are our regular e-publications. Sign-up to be the first to hear about the latest Coaching in Education insights, news and events.
✅ '
