Coaching Can Help Teachers At A Crossroads In Their Careers


Teachers enter the profession with the desire to help others, but after years in the field it can lose its luster. If it's no longer offering satisfaction the way it once did find out how you can get the joy back.

Have you ever wondered why some people like what they are doing more so than others? Or what unknown factors contribute to a colleague's success? Could it be these folks have a coach who guides and cheers them on the court and sidelines of their professional life? But isn't a coach just for athletes? No. Everyone can have a coach.

Coaching is a tool which can help enhance career satisfaction and performance. It is a shared responsibility between the coach and the teacher.

What are the many benefits to having a coach?

* Discover and utilize skills in an untapped area. You don't have to wait until burnt out to consider career alternatives.

* Set realistic goals in sync with your schedule and begin to work towards achieving future aspirations.

* Create a roadmap for success. Some teachers are confused about what career path to consider after working for many years in their profession. They often ask: is there anything else I can do? Yes, of course there are other career avenues available. When you set a roadmap for success you have a plan to work towards for future growth and development.

* Learn how to trust yourself. Some teachers lack confidence in their own abilities, which makes teaching difficult. A coach can help a teacher rediscover a sense of self and well-being.

* Build self esteem and be proud of the work you do. How many teachers get a chance to show off their work?

* Become an active learner. With coaching a teacher charts their own path to success. This learning arena is a place to find or rediscover a career path.

* Work on teaching objectives. This process helps clarify and focus key areas for teaching.

* Develop classroom management skills. New teachers often lack management skills. A coach guides teachers and helps them organize the classroom for optimal learning and teaching.

Annmarie Edwards is a certified International Job & Career Development Coach. She works with individuals and businesses on career development. She is the author of 50 Ways to Maximize Your Potential and 50 Ways to Maximize Your Job Hunting. She has a BSC degree in education and also a MA degree. Presently she is a doctoral student at the University of Phoenix. For more information check out her website at http://www.ariacareerservices.com or call her at (877) 645 -7670

Copyright © 2005 by Annmarie Edwards. All rights reserved. Author gives permission for the use of this article as long as full credit is given.