The phrase, “It’s a marathon, not a sprint” has meaning in many different contexts. When it comes to instructional coaching, this phrase holds great meaning. In the systems coaching model that our district currently employs, we are assigned to teacher teams based on student data. A level of proficiency has been defined that deems instructional coaching support, and coaches have been deployed.
Instructional Coaching
In some cases, this means that teachers who have never worked with instructional coaches are suddenly working with them. As you might guess, this doesn’t always make for the warmest of welcomes… understandably so. On a side note, I whole-heartedly believe in coaching based on student data versus coaching by invite. I also whole-heartedly believe that doing so takes a host of instructional coaching skills. Topping the list of skills is the ability to connect. It’s all about building relationships, which doesn’t happen overnight. It’s a marathon, not a sprint.
Adding to the list of challenges when it comes to instructional coaching is the fact that in many cases, coaches are working with burned out teachers. Chrissy Beltran, instructional coach and host of the podcast Instructional Coaching with Ms. B, recently covered this very topic. In episode 206, guest Amber Harper reminds us that instructional coaching is often a marathon, not a sprint. She explains that there are three types of teacher burnout, with multiple reasons for burnout.
The number one best approach to supporting burned out teachers is no different than the number one best approach to supporting students: “…build relationships and trust…”
Whether coaching 1) teachers who are open to instructional coaching, 2) teachers who have no choice in working with an instructional coach, 3) teachers who are burned out or 4) teachers who fall in multiple categories, little to no progress will be made without first building relationships and trust. It’s a marathon, not a sprint.
Teaching is full of adversity. Instructional coaching is full of adversity. Life is full of adversity.
Adversity and Habits
I have been fortunate enough to build connections, near and far, with people who employ practices to strengthen resolve during adversity. These connections have helped build a “protective armor” of sorts. The armor includes building and maintaining habits that focus on the positive. That armor is not fool proof: I do experience plenty of struggle; I do revert to words and actions that are not productive; I do falter. However, working on building that positive “protective armor” proves to be worth the daily effort. And it is absolutely, 100%, a daily effort.
In April 2021, I wrote the following post titled, Gratitude: “Adopting a gratitude mindset is one thing; nurturing it is another. One can easily adopt a gratitude mindset, just to fall into old habits with the passing of time. As with anything else, maintenance is key. For me, that maintenance comes in the form of heeding the recommendations from others in the form of books, webinars, articles, and blogs. I’ve built an arsenal, and look forward to continually adding to it. One of the most powerful habits that was recommended in one of the above mentioned formats was the habit of waking each morning and before getting out of bed, taking five deep breaths, thinking of something I’m thankful for with each breath. The most challenging part of this routine is that I sometimes fall back asleep mid-“thankful thought!” Starting the day off with thoughts centered on gratitude sets the tone for the day. I think of this routine as putting on my armor for the day: there are sure to be challenges throughout the day; meeting them with a positive mindset (armor) in place assists in being a “solutions-oriented and forward thinking” person, as opposed to getting bogged down with the trials and challenges of daily life. Maintaining a positive mindset is tough to do during challenging times, all the more reason to establish and nurture the habit.”
Goal-Setting
My latest habit, inspired by folks like Marie Forleo and George Couros, includes writing down short-term and long-term goals. I attempted a “Summer 2024 Reading Goal” by doing just that: I wrote down the titles of nine books that I planned to finish over the summer, including page numbers and “finish-by” dates. I failed miserably, but have no regrets. I finished reading three of the nine books, I’m still working my way through the original list, and I strengthened the skill of committing to goals by writing them down.
After listening to a recent episode of Literacy Talks, hosted by : “The Trifecta:” Lindsay Kemeny, Donell Pons, and Stacy Hurst, I committed to recording daily, weekly, and monthly goals. Most of the things I’ve written are already-established habits, a few are new. All are a part of committing to personal growth.
On a Personal Note
As I opened this post, the phrase, “It’s a marathon, not a sprint” has meaning in many different contexts. When Mom was diagnosed with Stage 4 melanoma two years ago, we quickly recognized that her cancer journey and all that comes with it would, at times, feel like a marathon. As much as we hoped and prayed it would be a sprint with a cancer-free win at the end, it was instead a marathon filled with highs and lows. The same was true in January of this year when, after Mom’s death, we recognized the need to provide better care for Dad by moving him to an assisted living facility.
Sometimes I think of Dad’s journey as a sprint because of his short four-month stint in assisted living before his death. At the same time, that four months often felt like a marathon as we experienced Dad’s struggle with dementia on the heals of Mom’s death.
Each day that I go out for a run (and at MANY other times throughout the day), I feel Mom and Dad’s presence. I feel them cheering me on; not just through the early morning run (that can very often feel like a marathon!), but through the challenges that work and that life bring. I reflect on the blessings that they bestowed, the lessons that they taught, and the legacy they have left behind. I am reminded that if we are lucky, life is a marathon, not a sprint.