CSM Directory

Biography:

As a school improvement director part of my role is to align CPL across our ten school trust. This includes co-ordinating and facilitating professional learning for Early Career Teachers, individual schools and supporting with the facilitation of the NPQ's through LLSE as well as acting as a coach for the participants. An additional role I have is as an SSAT mentor in which I support schools to implement and deliver the SSAT formative assessment programme through coaching and training.

Listening and asking questions have always been strengths of mine, driven by a genuine interest in the people I work with and a passion for supporting their development. In 2021, I earned a distinction in my PGCERT in Coaching and Mentoring, and in 2022, I became an ILM-endorsed executive coach. Combining theoretical knowledge with practical techniques, I successfully cultivated a coaching culture at my previous school, offering both group and 1:1 developmental coaching with staff at all levels within the organisation. Changing staff perceptions of coaching and educating them about what coaching is was an integral part of the culture shift to ensure that staff positively contribute to their coaching sessions and are receptive to becoming more reflective and self-aware.

Over the past 7 years, I've gained valuable experience coaching and mentoring ECTs, and in 2023, I served as an NPQ coach. Currently, I'm designing and facilitating an online coaching course across two trusts, aimed at empowering teachers interested in coaching. The course covers coaching demonstration, teaching coaching philosophy, and fostering confidence in coaching skills.

In my coaching practice, I prioritise creating a non-judgmental space that revolves around the coachee and their personal development journey. The cornerstone of my approach is actively listening to coachees and providing the necessary support to enhance their self-awareness, empowering them to set and accomplish their goals. Within this dynamic, I place immense importance on communication, respect, and integrity as foundational elements to establish trust within the coaching relationship.
To cultivate this trust, I strive to be credible, reliable, and empathetic, fostering a safe environment for coachees to openly explore their thoughts and feelings. I believe in the power of clear communication to build rapport and create an atmosphere conducive to growth and learning.
In terms of methodology, I adopt the GROW model, ensuring that my coaching is goal-oriented and solution-focused. Utilising techniques like clarifying, reflecting, and incisive questioning, I guide coachees in identifying assumptions or limiting beliefs that may hinder their progress. By addressing these barriers, I aim to help individuals unlock their full potential and achieve transformative growth in both their personal and professional lives. Through reflection on various options and support in identifying next steps, I strive to empower coachees in reaching their goals.