Communication Strategies for Instructional Coaches: Building Teacher Relationships

Written by Katie Maciulewicz

“It’s not what you say, it’s how you say it.”

We’ve all heard that before, right? As an instructional coach, you’re probably thinking, “Yeah, yeah, I got it. I’m a great communicator.” But are you really?

Think about a time you were trying to explain something to someone and they just weren’t getting it. You probably thought they weren’t listening, right? But maybe you weren’t explaining it in a way that made sense to them.

Effective communication is essential for effective coaching. As a coach, you need to be able to communicate clearly and concisely with teachers, administrators, and other stakeholders. You also need to be able to listen actively and provide constructive feedback.

So let's look at some essential communication skills for effective coaching and building relationships with teachers.

Active Listening

Active listening is more than just hearing the words that someone is saying. It involves paying attention to the speaker, both verbally and nonverbally. It means putting aside your own thoughts and feelings and really trying to understand what the other person is saying.

Here are some tips for active listening:

• Pay attention to the speaker. Focus on what they are saying, not on what you are going to say next. 
• Make eye contact. This shows that you are engaged and interested.
• Avoid distractions. Put away your phone and close your laptop.
• Don’t interrupt. Let the speaker finish their thought before you respond.
• Ask clarifying questions. This shows that you are listening and helps you to understand the speaker’s message.
• Summarize what you heard. This ensures that you understood the speaker correctly.
• Use nonverbal cues. Nod your head, smile, and use other nonverbal cues to show that you are listening.

Clear and Concise Communication

When you are communicating with others, it is important to be clear and concise. This means using simple language and avoiding jargon. It also means getting to the point quickly and avoiding rambling.

Here are some tips for clear and concise communication:

• Use simple language. Avoid using technical terms or jargon that the other person may not understand.
• Be specific. Use concrete examples and avoid generalizations.
• Be brief. Get to the point quickly and avoid unnecessary details.
• Be organized. Present your information in a logical order.
• Use visuals. Charts, graphs, and other visuals can help to illustrate your point.
• Check for understanding. Ask the other person if they understand what you have said.

Constructive Feedback

Feedback is an essential part of the coaching process. It helps teachers to improve their practice. However, it is important to provide feedback in a way that is constructive and helpful.

Here are some tips for providing constructive feedback:

• Focus on the behavior, not the person. When providing feedback, focus on what the person did, not on who they are.
• Be specific. Provide concrete examples of what the person did well and what they could improve.
• Be positive and encouraging. Start by pointing out the person’s strengths.
• Offer suggestions for improvement. Help the person to develop a plan for improvement.
• Be timely. Provide feedback as soon as possible after the event.
• Be respectful. Avoid being critical or judgmental.
• Listen to the person’s response. Give them a chance to explain their perspective.

Additional Tips

Here are some additional tips for effective communication:

• Be aware of your nonverbal communication. Your body language, tone of voice, and facial expressions can all communicate messages to others.
• Be patient. It takes time to develop strong communication skills.
• Be yourself. Be genuine and authentic in your communication.
• Be open to feedback. Be willing to receive feedback from others and use it to improve your own communication skills.

Effective communication is essential for effective coaching. By developing strong communication skills, you can build relationships with teachers, provide constructive feedback, and help them to improve their practice.