I am a firm believe in conferences to help with professional development. I think you can gain so much insight at conferences as well as rejuvenate yourself by being around others that are doing the same thing you are day in and day out!
In the readings I wasn’t able to find a whole lot on conferences but in the article Job-Embedded Professional Development: What It Is, Who Is Responsible, and How to Get It Done Well on the topic of What is Job-Embedded Profession Development I felt they hit on some very similar concepts. The 2 keys ones I felt in the Table 2. Formats for Job-Embedded Professional Development and Related Research Findings where Professional Learning Communities and Study Groups. I really liked these 2 strategies for the group setting and discussions. I think hearing new innovative ideas triggers your own thought process of how you can improve.
I have personally attended multiple conferences over my 4 years of professional work. Each conference I have been able to bring back at least 1 concepts and implement that to improve our department. On top of bringing back information I personal always feel rejuvenated after getting away even if it was just for a day. I am excited to get back to work and work on the improvement for he future.
On top of conferences or inservice I really believe having support at your school/department are key. Before some of the articles I read for this assignment I would have said mentor and coaches played the same role. I feel now each play a very critical role that has it own set of important factors.
I have a sports background so I apologies but this helped me identify the difference between the two. In sports your coach is still your coach in the educational setting. Your coach draws up the plays and integrates them at strategic times and places. They are open to your suggestions but in the end they are their to lead you and your team to success.
Your mentor I see as your captain of the team. You go to this person for advice and help adjusting to what your coach puts into place. They are your seniors members of your team. They are their to help you adjust to the environment, as have tricks and suggestions to easy into the strategic plan set in place by your coach.
I think teachers and administrators can hold both of these roles it will just depend on your schools setting. Both are a key part of any successful team and identifying who these people are will be key.
I recently moved to a very small department where I might have to wear both of these hats for certain team members. Though I feel I am going to mostly have to wear the coach hat now which is a big new role for me. I think my biggest struggle in the next few month is going to be figuring when I am supervising/coaching to when I am mentoring. Finding the balance and being able to clearly make the difference for my staff so I am not confusing them.
The article Supervising or Coaching — What’s the Difference? strategy give some great insight on how I can effectually work on differentiating between mentoring and coaching. The strategy of Clarify When you are Supervising verse Coaching was very helpful for me. I am currently working on my expectations for my staff as well has how to guide them to further grown in their own careers.
In the end I have a different approach to leadership then the traditional educational setting. There are however a lot of similarities that I can relate to.
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