A VSTE Certified Coach Blog Series on Transformative Coaching
This blog is authored by VSTE Professional Services members, Katie Breaud & Susan Morrissettee
This fall, I was walking down the hall at one of my schools when a teacher stopped me to ask a question about her interactive panel. What started as a quick fix turned into a 10-minute conversation about ways to integrate technology more meaningfully into her daily instruction. There was no calendar invite, no formal agenda, just a shared learning moment. Coaching is not always a structured process with forms, cycles, and follow-up meetings. Sometimes, it is a conversation by the copier, a chat after dismissal, or a talk in the hallway. As a technology coach, I have learned that these interactions can be just as impactful as formal coaching cycles. These micro-coaching moments build trust, spark curiosity, and create growth when done with intention.
Making Micro-Coaching Intentional
Intentionality turns those hallway chats into real opportunities for growth. Try these simple strategies to make each moment count:
- Listen more than you speak. Give teachers space to think and share what’s on their mind before offering ideas.
- Keep a few go-to questions ready. Prompts such as “What is working well so far?” or “What might you try next?” help guide meaningful reflection.
- Be fully present. When teachers sense that you are genuinely engaged, even a short exchange can lead to meaningful progress.
- Follow up in small but thoughtful ways. Share a resource, send a note of encouragement, or a short email, little gestures that show you value their growth.
Examples of Micro-Coaching in Action
Some of the most meaningful coaching moments happen in under five minutes. A teacher might stop by your office during their break or catch you in the hallway to ask about a new tool they have heard mentioned, and before they head back to class, you’ve shown them a Copilot or Canva feature that makes their next lesson easier.
One of my favorite interactions this year was when a third-grade teacher asked if Copilot could help her with her weekly parent emails. I showed her how to draft a template using her own tone and details. She later shared that it made her weekly updates easier to write and gave her one less thing to worry about.
Other times, it is a conversation where you celebrate a win, such as trying a new AI strategy or integrating a tech tip you shared previously. Each of these moments reinforces that coaching is about partnership and progress, not perfection.
Closing
Coaching does not always happen in scheduled sessions. Often, it occurs in everyday moments when we pause, listen, and respond with intention. Each interaction is an opportunity to lead, build trust, and inspire growth.
Coaching Reflection Prompt
What is one small moment in your coaching that made a lasting difference for you or a teacher? When we pause to notice those moments, we realize that meaningful growth often begins in the simplest interactions.
Tools Coaches Can Use
- How to use micro-coaching for teacher PD eSchool News
- The Importance of Micro-Coaching: A Pandemic Survival Tool Forbes
- What Is a Mini Coaching Cycle? Diane Sweeney
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