Thoughts on Coaching
Have you ever heard of Chris Como? How about Toby Perlman, Tom Martinez, Martha Beck, or Gildo Dinunzio?
Como is Tiger Woods’ personal swing coach. Perlman is the coach for her husband, Itzhak. Tom Martinez served as personal quarterback coach to Tom Brady. Beck is the personal life coach for Oprah Winfrey. Dinunzio served as a voice coach to Pavarotti and many other world-class singers. The best have coaches.
What is a coach and why be coached?
- It helps the school leader become the best they can be.
- It is more transactional than mentoring, and more subtle than teaching. But as indicated by the examples, it is a powerful.
- Coaching has been shown to improve effectiveness on the job and enhance overall personal well-being off the job.
- And it’s not just for people who are struggling. Coaching is a growth model, not a deficit model. Everyone has times when they are struggling, and coaching helps.
At the University of Rochester’s Center for Professional Development and Education Reform, we have provided high-quality leadership coaching since 2008. Our coaches are experienced, highly successful school leaders who are either in a second career or still actively working in schools.
What do we do?
- We listen, learn, and help leaders reflect
- We share best practice, but don’t impose our views.
- We sustain a confidential highly focused relationship intended to support the school leader in front of us.
What can you expect?
- An outstanding and experienced school leader who works with you directly once or twice a month.
- Additional access to your coach via electronic communication.
- Access to U of R user forums built around issues you are facing as a school leader.
The Center provides this program through a partnership with the Wayne-Finger Lakes BOCES, so it is usually aidable for your district. We provide coaching for individuals, full teams or individual schools.
Call one of our senior coaches or our director to learn more.
Steve Uebbing, Director (585) 489-5461
Lynne Erdle, Senior Coach (585) 739-3019
Jeff Linn, Senior Coach (585) 488-5496