How Gratitude Can Transform Your Coaching

by Katie Maciulewicz

I’m not afraid to admit that I don’t really like self-help books. They can be a little cheesy – sometimes literally; remember Who Moved My Cheese? – or preachy, and they're either too simplistic or overly complicated or just unrealistic. 

So what I’m offering here is not an inspirational, self-help “Remember your Why” type blog. Rather, since this is the time of year that often leads to reflection and giving thanks, I present to you some practical tips on practicing gratitude in your own coaching and building it in those you work with. 

Why is Gratitude Good for Us?

Attitude and outlook are often self-fulfilling. The more you look for the good things, the more you see the good things. So, basically, if you practice gratitude, you get better at being grateful, and you get better at seeing the good in a situation, which can improve your overall mental health. This in turn can improve your physical health, because lowering your stress and anxiety levels can also lower your blood pressure and sleep quality. 

Gratitude can also improve our personal relationships. Consider how you feel when someone in your life expresses their gratitude for you and the things you do. Don’t you feel great? Doesn’t that make you feel a little closer to that person? If you also express your gratitude for the people around you, you can deepen those connections. 

In general, focusing on what you're thankful for can increase your overall happiness and satisfaction with life.

(Need some proof or more reading on this topic? Just ask Harvard or Psychology Today.) 

Why is Gratitude Good for Coaching?

Think about all the ways gratitude is good for our lives in general. It helps us to be more grateful and more positive overall. It helps to cultivate closer, more trusting relationships. All of these are going to be good for coaching!

Here are some ways you can build your capacity for gratitude as a coach: 

• Cultivate a Positive Coaching Presence: Smile when you walk down the hall; stop and talk during class changes. The more positive you are and the more teachers trust you and like you, the more successful you can be as a coach. No one will want to work with a grumpy coach. 
• Appreciate the Coaching Journey: Reflect on how you got to this place professionally. Think of all the things you’ve learned along the way – all the challenges you’ve faced, the growth you’ve made, the mistakes you’ve learned from. How lucky are you to have made it through and be able to support teachers!
• Embrace Challenges as Opportunities: I don’t know about you, but I love a challenge. I love when a teacher asks a question and I don’t know the answer. It’s not a flaw to say, “I don’t know.” It’s an opportunity to say, “I’ll do some research and get back to you.” And the next time you have that same question, you’ll know the answer. 

Build a Culture of Gratitude: Recognize Others

When I pop into a teacher’s classroom in the middle of class, I always follow up with a note or email that mentions something great I saw while I was there. If I see a teacher doing something truly amazing or innovative, I let other teachers know about it. People love to be recognized for going above and beyond.

But how could one little note make an impact? Think of it from the perspective of a teacher. One note could evoke:

• Gratitude: Feeling appreciated and valued for their hard work.
• Encouragement: Feeling motivated and inspired to continue their efforts.
• Validation: Feeling reassured that their work is making a difference.
• Connection: Feeling more connected to their coach and supported by their school community.

It could also significantly impact the teacher-coach relationship. It can:

• Strengthen the relationship: Foster trust, respect, and mutual appreciation.
• Increase motivation: Encourage the teacher to continue their professional growth.
• Improve communication: Open up opportunities for more open and honest communication.
• Enhance collaboration: Lead to more effective collaboration on instructional strategies and student learning.

By taking the time to write a thoughtful note, a coach can make a significant positive impact on a teacher's well-being and professional development.

Here are some sample fill-in-the-blank notes to leave for teachers

Version 1: Quick Thank You

Hey [Teacher's Name],

I just wanted to quickly say thank you for [specific action or behavior, e.g., sharing your lesson plan with the PLC]. Your willingness to collaborate and share your expertise is invaluable. I appreciate your dedication to improving student learning!

Best, [Coach's Name]

Version 2: More Detailed Thank You

Hi [Teacher's Name],

I wanted to take a moment to express my sincere gratitude for [specific action or behavior, e.g., implementing the new instructional strategy we discussed]. Your willingness to try new approaches and reflect on your practice is inspiring. I've noticed a significant positive impact on your students' engagement and learning as a result.

Keep up the great work!

Best, [Coach's Name]

Version 3: Encouraging Thank You

[Teacher's Name],

I'm so impressed with your [specific action or behavior, e.g., positive classroom culture and student relationships]. Your ability to create a supportive and inclusive learning environment is truly commendable. Your students are so fortunate to have you as their teacher.

Keep up the amazing work!

Best, [Coach's Name]

What are you thankful for in your coaching role?

Here are some answers from a couple of our coaches in the EDU Coach Network.

Grace Brown: I'm grateful for the opportunities to be creative as a coach. I love that I can dip into many classes and subjects- sometimes all in one day! I'm always learning and that brings me joy!

Jamie Clausius: Coaching brings me joy because I get to work with educators who are excited to learn and try new things with their students! And hearing about their successes -- no matter how small -- brings a smile to my face!

The blog is looking for guest submissions! Are you an experienced coach with wisdom to share? We’d love to hear how you encourage collaboration, work with veteran teachers, or plan for engaging PD.

Click here to view our Style Guide or submit your writing!