Cognitive Coaching Session

Sharyn Grisham and Lanelle Hopson

August 30, 2004

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Participants: Sharyn S. Grisham

Lanelle Hopson

Sharyn S. Grisham has joined the chat.

Sharyn S. Grisham: I am ready, I think.

Lanelle Hopson has joined the chat.

Lanelle Hopson: Hi Sharyn!

Sharyn S. Grisham: Hi

Lanelle Hopson: Would you like me to start?

Sharyn S. Grisham: Whenever you are ready

Lanelle Hopson: k

Sharyn S. Grisham: Beginning Lanelle as Coach. Sharyn as Teacher.

Lanelle Hopson: I understand that you conducted a new teacher inservice. Do you feel that you had effective implementation of your lesson?

Sharyn S. Grisham: I think that the lesson went very well. The new teachers left with a basic foundation for gradebook and attendance, a manual to use for reference, and my number in case of emergency

Lanelle Hopson: Wow, you are a brave soul, giving your number out to 40 new teachers!

Lanelle Hopson: During the lesson, were you able to involve all learners?

Sharyn S. Grisham: I didn't think of that. I have actually only had to assist two brand new teachers. I think that most of the others must have had some previous experience to draw from.

Sharyn S. Grisham: Involving all learners was a concern of mine.

Sharyn S. Grisham: As teachers, we all know that we can be bad students.

Lanelle Hopson: That's for sure!

Sharyn S. Grisham: However, these were teachers new to the district. We started out with administration expectations and went from there. It ended up not being a problem. They all seemed anxious to please and willing to learn.

Sharyn S. Grisham: All learners were involved.

Lanelle Hopson: Did the teachers ask questions?

Sharyn S. Grisham: Yes. There were some very good questions, which surprised me. I expected them to sit silently and panic back in the classroom. We had created a very relaxed atmosphere that must have made them comfortable enough to ask their

Sharyn S. Grisham: questions. The computer froze on me.

Lanelle Hopson: That means you did a good job! ;)

Sharyn S. Grisham: I hope. They were a good group to work with like this.

Lanelle Hopson: Were you able to accomplish your goals for change of attitude?

Sharyn S. Grisham: Actually, there wasn't a negative attitude, which was what I expected. There was a congenial attitude throughout the session. Maybe it was early in the school year and with new teachers to the district.

Sharyn S. Grisham: Their attitudes were good from the start, making my job easy.

Lanelle Hopson: Evidently, you made them feel at ease.

Lanelle Hopson: What would you have done differently?

Sharyn S. Grisham: That was what I wanted.

Sharyn S. Grisham: Well, there is a good question.

Sharyn S. Grisham: I did a live demonstration of the software because there was no lab large enough to accomodate the whole group.

Sharyn S. Grisham: I would have rather done this training in smaller groups so that we could have done hands-on training. I felt that was one of the big obstacles in the session.

Lanelle Hopson: Perhaps it helped them to focus

Lanelle Hopson: Not play on the computer while you were demonstrating. ;)

Sharyn S. Grisham: However, it turned out just fine. There have been no major problems and we have even submitted progress grades.

Lanelle Hopson: It sounds like a hug success. Only 2 out of the whole bunch had questions.

Sharyn S. Grisham: I think you may be right. They had to listen, take notes, and ask their questions. They were sponges made to absorb. It worked. Who can ever guess?

Lanelle Hopson: huge, that is.

Lanelle Hopson: You do deserve a hug though.... heehee

Sharyn S. Grisham: I think you have covered it all. Want to switch roles? Thanks for the hug.

Lanelle Hopson: k

Sharyn S. Grisham: Beginning Sharyn as Coach. Lanelle as Teacher.

Sharyn S. Grisham: If I remember correctly, you were mentoring another teacher for this session.

Lanelle Hopson: That's right.

Lanelle Hopson: They don't trust me to teach large groups of adult learners!

Sharyn S. Grisham: You had asked me to watch for those mentoring skills again. How did your session with the teacher so?

Sharyn S. Grisham: Very funny. You could teach anyone.

Lanelle Hopson: I think it went fine. It was so easy because he was so very anxious to learn everything it took to implement his lesson.

Sharyn S. Grisham: Has he taught the lesson yet?

Lanelle Hopson: Not yet. But he wil sometime this semester. I'm sure it will be a success, it is very well thought out.

Sharyn S. Grisham: Do you feel more comfortable in the role of advisor? You were concerned in particular about listening skills. How did that go, in your opinion?

Lanelle Hopson: I am improving in that area. Although his whole disposition is conducive to that. He is a very good listener.

Lanelle Hopson: That makes it easier for me to listen.

Sharyn S. Grisham: Very good.

Lanelle Hopson: I think my open ended questioning skills are improving also.

Sharyn S. Grisham: You gave very good positive reinforcement. I think that helps the mentoring relationship so much.

Lanelle Hopson: He is such a wonderful, seasoned teacher, I feel that he has great lessons anyway.

Lanelle Hopson: Adding technology was just the icing on the cake.

Sharyn S. Grisham: I noticed too that you did not have to do much clarifying. It helps when the teacher is thorough.

Lanelle Hopson: yes,It makes our job much easier.

Sharyn S. Grisham: You had state as a professional goal to demonstrate understnading of theories and factors that affect learning. Do you feel that you made progress there?

Sharyn S. Grisham: It's been a long day. My fingers got mixed up. Sorry

Lanelle Hopson: i thought that was great question.

Lanelle Hopson: you are the one that's thorough!

Lanelle Hopson: Yes, this whole class has helped me alot on understanding learning.

Sharyn S. Grisham: Hasn't it been great? We think we know it all and a whole new world is opened up.

Lanelle Hopson: That's for sure.

Sharyn S. Grisham: I would really like to hear how the lesson with Video Wave goes. I use the software very minimally and would like to get your input after this lesson.

Lanelle Hopson: I'll keep you posted.

Lanelle Hopson: It has been great working with you.

Sharyn S. Grisham: Thanks. I think we are done. I have enjoyed working with you as well.

Lanelle Hopson: Hope your day is better tomorrow.

Sharyn S. Grisham: Thanks.Bye

Lanelle Hopson: Bye