Leadership Skills to Master

Attempting to reinterpret an emotion-eliciting situation in a way that alters its meaning and changes its emotional impact. It involves looking at a circumstance from different angles to find a positive or less distressing interpretation.

BENEFIT FOR COACHES: Teachers’ attitudes of using technology (or a particular strategy) may be negative based on prior experiences. Practice active listening as you are coaching a teacher and consider if cognitive reappraisal may be necessary. Be patient. Reappraising may challenge their beliefs about a strategy, a student, or even themselves.

TIP: Be careful not to come across as Pollyanna or with toxic positivity.

SCENARIO: You notice that a teacher is visibly upset after a classroom observation in which her lesson didn't go as planned. You sit down with the teacher and use cognitive reappraisal by reframing the situation, saying, "I understand this was a challenging observation, but let's view it as a learning opportunity. We can identify areas to strengthen and work together to enhance your teaching strategies, ensuring future success." This approach helps the teacher shift her focus from self-doubt to constructive growth.

The concept that attitudes and behaviors can mutually influence each other. A person's attitude can shape their behavior, while their behavior can also reinforce or alter their attitude.

BENEFIT FOR COACHES: Recognizing the interplay between teachers’ attitudes and behaviors allows you to encourage positive actions that can reinforce a supportive attitude towards implementing new strategies or tools. For example, helping a teacher experience a small success with a new approach can improve their willingness to embrace more significant changes in the future.

TIP: Begin with achievable goals to foster early wins and build confidence, leading to more favorable attitudes and a willingness to adopt further change.

SCENARIO: You notice a teacher is hesitant about using a new assessment tool, believing it will be too time-consuming. To foster a positive attitude, you guide them through implementing the tool with a small group, ensuring they have support and time to familiarize themselves. The successful experience shifts their attitude, and they become more receptive to using the tool with the entire class, which further solidifies their new positive view.

The Double Bind Technique involves presenting a person with two positive options, both of which lead to a desired outcome. It creates a sense of autonomy while subtly guiding the person toward a particular decision.

BENEFIT FOR COACHES: This approach can empower teachers by giving them a sense of choice while steering them toward effective teaching practices. It’s particularly helpful for reducing resistance to new strategies by framing them within a selection of attractive alternatives.

TIP: Ensure both options align with desired goals, making the choice beneficial regardless of the teacher's decision.

SCENARIO: While coaching a teacher hesitant to integrate cooperative learning, you present two alternatives: "Would you like to start with a structured peer review session, or do you prefer introducing think-pair-share activities first?" The teacher chooses the peer review session, and the successful implementation reduces their reluctance to cooperative learning. The subsequent shift in attitude makes them more open to the think-pair-share strategy later on.