Unanticipated Gifts, Unexpected Treasures

We are not likely to receive an invitation in the mail to attend a training session on Coaching that is being sponsored by the National Staff Development Council and think, wow…what a gift ! Yet, in reflection, the letter that came to me from Dennis Sparks some 6 years ago was just that. Time has proven that many gifts come to us in forms not easily recognizable. Five years later, I recognize many unanticipated gifts and unexpected treasures that have been a part of this learning process, and I have chosen to share a few that may cause you to think of others, or even to view the coaching process from a different vantage point.

We can’t always determine the importance of a gift by the packaging, nor the treasure that awaits us in opening the gift. In fact, it may be that we don’t recognize the gift at all and in so doing, miss out on a wonderful opportunity. For me, the opportunity that was presented offered more than strategies, and new learnings, even though they were readily available. The doors were opened to introspection, looking deeply at issues and seeking multiple solutions. It offered an experience that changed the way I viewed my four corners of the world, and opened the possibilities for creating a new day every day! What a gift ! What an unexpected treasure!

The gift was wrapped in the ribbons of authenticity, honesty, non- judgmental conversations, and confidentiality. Few of us have experienced a gift of this proportion in our daily lives. Another important gift was the gift of time. As pointed out to me by a client, one of the most important things that occurs during the coaching process, is that we set aside time for ourselves. The gift of time offers hope for school leaders as they struggle with the daily issues and storms of the job. Time to explore, time to construct, time to think new thoughts, and search out possibilities that will carry us in our daily commitments.

To have a person to be there for you in the form of the coach, and listen and really listen and hear you is an awesome gift. For many of us, we know that the listener is already thinking of an answer before we even get to have our side of the conversation. Not so in the Coaching process …the coach is the listener for as long as it takes the client to process their thoughts, their ideas, and begin to formulate a plan.

Which brings to mind another unexpected treasure. This is not just about conversation that makes me or you feel better, but it is about action planning and results. The confidence that builds in this setting, the empowerment of the school leader, and the new energy for the tasks at hand become gifts that benefit the entire school.

One of the greatest gifts is the network of friends, and school leaders that becomes a part of every day. Real people, doing real work together in a climate that allows for risk taking, joyous celebration, and the knowledge that none of us is alone in our pursuit of a better life, and a better opportunity for our children. The gift of hope, the gift of acceptance as a person of worth, and the gift of encouragement become the final packaging for the treasure that comes in the form of coaching.

Well, you get the picture and you can make an even longer list, I am sure. But wouldn’t it be magic if all educators could experience these unanticipated gifts, and unexpected treasures through the coaching process?

By Janice Shelby, Board Member

TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES

NOTABLE QUOTES

The world cares very little about what a man or woman knows.
It is what a man or woman is able to do that counts.

Booker T. Washington

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