‘As a coach, Tracey is very probing. She's good at making me think really hard which is sometimes uncomfortable as in my environment you tend to have to think really fast rather than really hard.’ The world of education has been shaken by the biggest crisis of a generation. This has sparked massive change in a short period of time and has impacted the daily working lives of us all – the tasks we’re responsible for, the way we communicate, when, how and where we work. Teachers in particular are facing challenges and hurdles never seen before. We are all entering a new year feeling glad to put 2020 behind us. But we are also entering new, uncharted territory feeling tired, stretched and possibly a little jaded from a year of working during a global pandemic with the sadness and loss it has brought to so many. This has not been a normal year! The need for resilience and mental agility has never been more important in the world of teaching than now. The ability to innovate, use creativite thinking skills and undertake ongoing scenario planning has become a key part of a teacher's toolkit. Coping with ambiguity and shifting sands is a must-have, meaning teachers are finding the need to actively acquire and develop new skills to meet changing demands. Who would have thought we could all develop digital skills so radically in such a short space of time? The suggestion that teachers should constantly have all the answers can be draining. Sometimes it can be more important to have the right questions rather than just answers. Constant decision making is not easy at the best of times and sometimes a succession of decisions can have unintended consequences. Good intentions don't always achieve the desired outcome. Decision fatigue is a very real condition. Some of us find it helpful to have access to a trusted person with whom we can share our concerns for the future or test new, possibly radical ideas. Talking through scenarios with a good listener who takes us seriously can be critical when we are dealing with so much change in our work and home lives. Some of this is possible to achieve with colleagues, but often we can experience concern for revealing too much, worrying about any long term consequences this may have. Talking to friends and family who care about us is a good idea but perhaps they don’t fully understand our working world and may just provide their opinion rather than help us delve deeper. This is where coaching can help. As a coach I am objective, unbiassed and skilled in asking the right questions at the right time. I am also not afraid to challenge your thinking to help you stretch and reach well beyond your initial thoughts. This is where the best learning takes place. My coaching style is to be naturally curious and creative, building a deep relationship by understanding the world through your eyes. I am known for my pragmatism and ability to balance your concerns and interests with those of your employer whilst maintaining confidentiality. My goal is to help you achieve outcomes that lead to high levels of personal happiness, satisfaction, fulfilment and productivity.
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