MTTC Group: Cindy Brock, Gail Marlin, and Cynthia Petty

This is the transcript between Cindy Brock, Gail Marlin, and Cynthia Petty. It was held through GroupWise Instant Message on Thursday, October 19, 2006.

Cynthia Petty, mentee

Cindy Brock and Gail Marlin, peer mentors

Gail Marlin: Hi

Mary Brock: Has joined the conversation.

Gail Marlin: Cynthia, how do you think your coaching session went?

Cynthia Petty: I think it went well. Donna seems very positive.

Mary Brock: Which part of the session do you think went well?

Cynthia Petty: I thought I did a good job on letting Donna take the lead. Although it is hard for me to be silent--I felt like I used wait time well

Mary Brock: Next time what can you do differently to improve the coaching session?

Cynthia Petty: Although I used paraphrasing, sometimes I am not sure that Donna got what she needed from that. Maybe I was too specific.

Gail Marlin: What do you mean by "being too specific"?

Cynthia Petty: Even though it was her comment that I paraphrased, I think I should have left my statement more open-ended.

Gail Marlin: How would that have helped?

Cynthia Petty: I think she would have been more aware of her thought processes. It would have made her think a little deeper and analyze her plan for the learners.

Gail Marlin: So in other words, you would push her to a higher Bloom's Taxonomy way of thinking?

Cynthia Petty: Exactly. That is what I was trying to say.

Mary Brock: So, based on this experience do you feel more comfortable in your coaching skills and feel like you have reached your goals?

Cynthia Petty: I am certainly on my way!

Gail Marlin, mentee

Cynthia Petty and Cindy Brock, peer mentors

Cynthia Petty: Gail, did you feel like your conference with your teacher went well?

Gail Marlin: Yes. I could tell that it was different than how I would have done it before we learned about cognitive coaching.

Mary Brock: In what ways was it different than before?

Gail Marlin: Before I would have told her what to do. This time I just guided her in her thinking.

Mary Brock: Which of your guiding styles do you think worked best? When you asked her probing type questions or when you paraphrased what she said?

Gail Marlin: Paraphrasing because after I paraphrased, Debbie appeared satisfied with my responses.

Cynthia Petty: You brought your printed emails to the meeting. Did you feel that Debbie was helped by these emails--especially the wording. Did it help guide her as you both worked on the lesson.

Gail Marlin: Yes! I'm very happy with my written communications during this project! I think I'm getting better.

Mary Brock: Do you feel like your communications through email have become more of an important part of your coaching skills?

Gail Marlin: Definitely! Because Debbie and I are on different schedules, email was VERY, VERY important. I don't think we could have gotten through this without email.... (Written communication.)

Cindy Brock, mentee

Gail Marlin and Cynthia Petty, peer mentors

Cynthia Petty: Cindy, how do you feel about your first coaching experience?

Mary Brock: I am feeling more comfortable with using cognitive coaching with my mentee. She has been very patient and cooperative working with me.

Cynthia Petty: Kayla seemed much more confident about bringing technology into her lesson than at your first meeting. What strategies do you think helped the most?

Mary Brock: I think by using meditative type questions it helped her to think about different ways to implement the technology into her lessons and the different technologies that are available. She was able to see that it was a pretty easy process.

Gail Marlin: What made you aware that this was an easy process for her?

Mary Brock: At our first meeting she was a little reluctant to use the technology. Now, she is wanting to do more lessons and coming up with new ideas on how to use technology in her lessons.

Gail Marlin: What would you do differently next time?

Mary Brock: I think I would allow more time to develop the lessons.

Cynthia Petty: Was this a worthwhile experience for you?

Mary Brock: Yes, definitely. If I can get just one more teacher excited about using technology then I have done my job.

Gail Marlin: Thanks ya'll! This was kind of fun!

Mary Brock: Yes, I appreciate the feedback and it was great working with you. I learned a lot.:>)

Cynthia Petty: Thank you!