by Dr. Robert Biswas-Diener & Prof. Christian van Nieuwerburgh
Extracted from GCI Insights - December 2024
All around the world, people delight in holding a seashell to their ears and hearing the sound of the rushing ocean. Of course, the ocean waves are not hiding in the shell, and the sound is just the reverberation of ambient noise. It is a great example of the ways that people listen. Listening is more than being receptive to sound; it also includes listening with a specific intention and making sense of the sounds we come across.
In human-oriented professions such as teaching, management, psychotherapy, and coaching, listening is a vital tool. Unfortunately, listening - as a communication technology - has not improved much since the advent of “active listening.” The term was introduced in 1970 in a parenting book by Thomas Gordon, who was a student of the legendary psychotherapist Carl Rogers. Gordon advocated for a form of listening that was empathic and non-judgmental. He, and other early proponents of this form of listening, encouraged people to paraphrase in order to demonstrate listening, maintain eye contact, avoid interruption, and ask clarifying questions. For the last half-decade, this has been central to the way we have taught listening as a coaching skill.
Gain an understanding of the beliefs, skills, strategic knowledge, and processes for effective instructional coaching based on the research conducted by Jim Knight and the Instructional Coaching Group spanning more than 20 years.
The Instructional Coaching Institute is a comprehensive foundational course that gives coaches and educators everything they need to know to become successful coaching partners.
Led by Dr. Jim Knight, we look forward to welcoming educators to this professional learning opportunity in our upcoming cohorts in Melbourne and Bangkok!
"This has been truly transformational! Evidence-based, practical, nuanced and wise. This kind of investment in educators and how to keep improving is life-changing for students and teachers"
A unique and practical learning experience spanning 3-days, The Impact Cycle in Action includes a variety of 'in action' learning, including:
✅ Classroom visits
✅ Coaching demonstrations
✅ Coaching practice
✅ 'Ask Me Anything' session with current instructional coaches and leaders
Proudly delivered in partnership with the Crowther Centre at Brighton Grammar School. Join us at the September cohort in Melbourne!
Instructional Coaching with Independent Schools Tasmania
In this episode Richard Reid is joined by Simon Matthews, Deputy Executive Director of Independent Schools Tasmania and host of the Learning Landscape podcast.
They explore how instructional coaching is being embedded across a wide variety of independent schools - from rural campuses to city-based boarding schools. Simon shares how coaching is impacting teacher practice, professional learning and school culture, as well as the challenges and successes along the way. Whether you're just starting or looking to deepen your coaching culture, this episode offers practical insights and inspiration.
Coaching in the Age of AI – What Do Coaches Really Offer Now?
By Dan Steele, Director
Not long ago, a school leader I deeply respect asked me this:
"With all these AI tools now doing what coaches do - asking questions, generating insights - what’s left for us?"
I paused. Not because I didn’t have a response - but because I realised it was the right question. One we all need to be asking.
AI is reshaping our world - fast. Coaching platforms with embedded AI can now suggest questions, summarise conversations, and even prompt next steps. Some are impressive.
They’re helpful. But they’re not human.
And in that difference lies the heart of coaching and mentoring.
Designed for educators by educators, the Coaching Accreditation Programprovides comprehensive training for educators in the skills, conversational frameworks, and "way of being" of coaching.
Delivered ONLINE by leading experts in the field, this course provides a pathway to industry recognised coaching credentials with the European Mentoring and Coaching Council (EMCC).
Join us at the next cohort!
"I am so grateful for the opportunity to have participated in this course. It was a bright spot in a time when there was so much stress and uncertainty. I looked forward to participating each week. I appreciated the flexibility to do some degree of self-pacing as necessary.
I felt deeply connected to my partners and small group. Thank you!"
Jennifer Miller-Arsenault
Washington Central Unified Union School District, USA
Designed specifically for current and aspiring leaders, Coaching in Leadership is a practical evidence-based course providing in-depth learning and experience of the application of coaching approaches as a highly effective way of leading in schools and other education settings.
"The skills and concepts learnt during the course all apply directly to my role and hopes for my team and my school. I am excited and motivated about how I can use this new learning."
Angie Christoforou,
Assistant Principal,
Peakhurst South Primary School NSW
UPCOMING COHORTS: 2 x 2 Day Cohorts - commencement dates below
The Impact Cycle 2-day course is designed to support educators in establishing instructional coaching cycles that lead to improved teaching and student learning.
The course is for anyone who works alongside teachers to help them develop their practice.
The Impact Cycle also provides educational leaders with a model of instructional leadership that enables teacher agency.
"I have a much clearer idea on how to implement the impact cycle in my school. I especially found the coaching opportunities and Growth questions very useful. I’m so so excited to take what I’ve learnt and put it into practice.”
The December edition of GCI Insights features many thought provoking articles from a wide variety of voices in our education space. As in previous issues, it has been created as an interactive Flipping Book.
CoachED Update and GCI Insights are our regular e-publications. Sign-up to be the first to hear about the latest Coaching in Education insights, news and events.
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