PMP424: Principal as Mentor and Coach with Jen Schwanke and Will Parker

Principal Matters: The School Leader's Podcast with William D. Parker

A quick note to listeners:

Before this week’s interview, Jen Schwanke and Will Parker answered a listener question in a 5-minute response.

The question is: What strategies work best when dealing with others who are resistant to growth?

Listen in for our response and thank you for doing what matters!

The Principal as a Mentor and Coach

In this week’s episode, I interviewed Jen about an article she wrote, Principal as Mentor and Coach, published in ASCD’s Education Leadership, September 2024 edition.

Remember what it was like to be a new teacher or educator? You probably can think of the feelings of enthusiasm, anxiety, and adrenalin. Most of us also cringe when we think about what did wrong in those first days, weeks, or months of our new role.

Now, think about how much you appreciated the patience, wisdom, and input of others who took the time to listen or to invest in your growth. Everyone deserves a good coach or mentor in the work they do, and principals have a significant responsibility to provide that kind of feedback to their teachers and teammates.

In the conversation, we talk about what it feels like to be new in the role of teaching or education, and how leaders can navigate the roles of evaluation, coaching, and mentoring.

Then we unpack the ten tips Jen provides in the article by exploring her feedback on the following:

1. Learn what coaching looks like.
2. Focus on new teachers.
3. Provide balance.
4. Don’t assume they know.
5. Listen to their ideas.
6. Highlight the good things.
7. Address small worries.
8. Encourage reflection.
9. Focus on your outcome.
10. Remember patience.

Just as we want to help others reflect on ways they can grow in their craft, we must also be willing to reflect on our own learning. We cannot expect something from others that we are practicing ourselves.

Why You Need Coaching and Mentoring Too

The tips that Jen provides for coaching and mentoring others also apply to you. If you’re looking for someone to provide you with reflection and coaching, Jen and I both offer opportunities for leaders to connect with us. If you’d like to learn more about executive coaching options, visit williamdparker.com/services or jenschwanke.com, reach out to either of us by email at will@williamdparker or [e-mail] to learn more.

Listen to the entire episode for more takeaways or read the article in its entirety for even more helpful tips and ideas. Thank you for learning together, and thank you for doing what matters!

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