While I was in the classroom, I got an email from a teacher who wanted to talk with me about a student issue. As I walked to her class I was thinking to myself, ‘Don’t be a solution listener.’ I listened to the issue, paraphrased what she was telling me, and then proceeded to ask questions of her that led to her coming up with the solution herself. I didn’t have to solve her problem, she did it herself!” ~ Principal who attended CFR Global training.

Are YOU this Principal? Do YOUR teachers solve their own concerns with you as the committed listener and encourager? Do you provide the support and challenge for your staff to be problem solvers?

As learners we are often great at implementing new practices that we have learned through a good learning experience… at least the next day. And then we get busy, and even though we said that we would change, we don’t. Our notes get buried under the pile of must-do’s and the new learning fades without reinforcement or review. The commitment to really do this becomes yet another guilt trip that lays heavy on us.

What to do? Here are a few options to consider for getting back on track:

• Dig out the notes and read through them.
• Call a colleague who was also in the workshop and talk about the new technique that you’re trying to implement. Ask them to be your “accountability buddy” and check back with you to see if you REALLY are practicing and improving.
• Contact the workshop teacher and ask for a quick review or clarification of the fuzzy learning – who wouldn’t be thrilled to think that you cared enough about what you learned to come back to the source for more learning!

As learners we are seekers who don’t always follow a direct path to new learning. We must model that for our staff. Share your struggles about changing habits. Understand and then pull yourself back on track.

By Sue Kidd, CFR Associate
Coaching For Results Global