Coaching

Coaching

I am here to help

What is Coaching?

“Coaching is a relationship-based process led by an expert with specialized and adult learning knowledge and skills, who often serves in a different professional role than the recipient(s). Coaching is designed to build capacity for specific professional dispositions, skills, and behaviors and is focused on goal-setting and achievement for an individual or group.”

– Early Childhood Education Professional Development: Training and Technical Assistance Glossary (2011)

Why Garden of Learning?

I am a child development specialist with a BS in Human Development and Family Studies and an M. Ed. in Organization and Management, specializing in non-profits and learning theory. Beside certification in 2 states as a public school teacher, I am certified by Oregon Center for Career Development in Childhood Care and Education as an Oregon Registry Master Trainer. I am qualified to train in all 10 Core Knowledge Categories.

My profession provides me almost daily opportunities to work with children of all ages and adults in instructional roles. Since 2001, I have provided over 250 hours of training all over the State and almost as many hours teaching credited courses at community college. Many workshops have filled to capacity. My workshops are dynamic and interactive, full of clear information, fun activities and individualized trouble-shooting. This carries through to my one-on-one interactions, where I can provide insight, compassion and guided encouragement for growth.

How does one set up a coaching relationship?​​

Early Childhood Education Professional Development goes on to outline Additional Characteristics of Coaching:

  • Supports the development of specific skills and practices; it is focused on a performance-based outcome(s).
  • Should be embedded in the recipient’s broader professional development plan that provides the theoretical foundations related to the specific skills being addressed.
  • Requires interactions that build trust and respect.
  • Results from a person selecting a coach, being assigned to a coach, or the coach may be assigned to an individual or group.
  • Should be distinguished from supervisory processes; however, its findings and conclusions may contribute to job performance evaluation. In these instances, the recipient of the coaching should be made aware of this possibility.
  • Begins with a collaborative agreement between the coach and the individual to set the guidelines and goals.
  • Includes various combinations of questioning, listening, observation, reflection, feedback, prompting, modeling, and practice.
  • Is likely to occur through planned onsite contacts.
  • Concludes when the specified goal has been achieved.
  • Can occur one time or in a series of sessions, dependent upon the successful achievement of the goal.
  • May be provided face-to-face or through distance, technology-based, or hybrid methods.

What do I have to offer?

I would be honored to coach you and/or your staff regarding infant and child development and education.

My expertise and specialized knowledge and skills are in child development, learning styles and curriculum and instruction. I teach both children and youth as well as adults. So, I am highly qualified to help you analyze and evaluate your program — your environment, interactions, and instructional techniques and provide constructive, practical feedback based on recent research and personal experience.

In particular, I would be most helpful in the Core Knowledge Categories of:

  • Human Growth & Development
    • Knowledge of social, emotional, cognitive and physical growth and development. Using developmentally appropriate practices and principles in programs for children and youth.
  • Learning Environments & Curriculum
    • Knowledge of the relationship between physical space, activities, experiences, and materials with child behavior, growth and development. Creating developmentally appropriate and culturally appropriate learning environments and curricula to foster optimum growth and development of children and youth.

 

If this interests you, please contact me in order to work out a plan that would best suit you and/or your staff. This is a very flexible service and is structured in the way that best suits you.