Teach like a Coach and Coach like a Teacher
The Art of Connecting with Children and Making an Impact
It has been often said that the best coaches are great teachers. Can the same be said for teachers? Are the best teachers, great coaches?
We are going to dive into (pun intended as a former swim coach and teacher) qualities that can be unique to each profession. You will also see that the best teachers and the best coaches demonstrate both set of qualities.
What can make teachers unique?
Child-centered.
Focus on knowledge and skill acquisition.
Relationships are the foundation for development and achievement.
Embrace that there are many different paths to the same end goal.
Believe in “future ready” children - everything in school is to support their success later in life, not just to earn a good score on a test.
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What can make coaches unique?
High expectations and accountability - even for the athletes who struggle the most.
Feedback is a key feature to success.
Belief in the impossible.
Culture is the foundation to everything. A rising tide floats all boats.
It is ok to struggle. Challenges are part of the human experience.
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All of the best teachers and coaches I know embrace the qualities from both lists. So why do these two professions have the tendency to gravitate away from each other and live in silos? How do we change the culture within each profession so teachers feel more comfortable demonstrating coaching qualities and coaches take time to slow down and utilize some of the unique features of teaching?
There seems to be this underlying belief that there always has to be an “or”. I’m a coach OR I’m a teacher. I’m empathetic OR I hold children to high standards. I meet kids where they are at OR we dream of the impossible.
Why can’t it be “and”? I focus on relationships AND I give feedback that supports improvement. I provide appropriate supports for success AND I challenge kids and allow them to struggle. I’m a teacher AND a coach.