Running head: COACHING PLATFORM

EPPL 536: Coaching Platform

Julie K. Marsh
College of William and Mary

COACHING PLATFORM

In order to create a quality educational environment for administrators, teachers, and

students, it is important to be a strong leader. Strong educational leaders are able to develop safe
and supportive learning environments that focus on high achievement and trust for all
stakeholders. Educational leaders must develop and implement valuable, well-rounded training
for other leaders in the educational environment, which, in turn, provides valuable, well-rounded
instruction and best practices based on current research. Effective educational leaders also work
closely with community stakeholders, including parents, in order to help define and maintain a
positive school culture and climate focused on achieving excellent aims, goals, and objectives
tied to the school mission and vision. There are a number of elements that characterize quality
educational leaders, including a passion and a focus on quality instruction and positive ways to
support and encourage teachers and students.
To be a good and effective educational leader, I must create a collaborative and
interactive environment, one that is safe and secure, where critical thinking skills are employed
and innovation encouraged. This environment should be welcoming and accommodate many
learning styles and skills, encouraging participation as well as reinforcing respect for all
opinions. This provides a protected space where stakeholders not only are allowed a voice, but
also benefit from peer-to-peer enrichment.
I envision myself more as an assistant principal than a principal. I believe I could make a
positive contribution to any school setting by working closely with other administrators and still
have a close tie to the instructional classroom. It is important for me to have a direct connection
to teaching.

COACHING PLATFORM

Connections To Teaching
An educational leader has many roles, but the most important is instruction. I believe all
curricula should be student-centered and follow sound educational practices such as encouraging
cooperation, encouraging active learning, giving prompt feedback, communicating high
expectations, and respecting diversity. As a successful leader and coach, I will work to assist
educational leaders to focus on effective curricula and other goals. I will also work with other
educational leaders to follow their passion in and outside the classroom.
Passion for teaching is an essential quality for any good educational leader. I have a
passion for working in the classroom, interacting with other educational leaders, and fostering
relationships based on trust. I also have a passion for working with other educational leaders to
assist in furthering a schools vision and mission. I believe my role as an assistant principal will
help continue my own passion for teaching while encouraging a passion in other teachers in my
school. I also have a developing passion for coaching educational leaders. As a coach, I expect
others to actively participate in their own growth and trust building. I emphasize collaboration
and discussion between educational leaders at all times. These ideas connect directly to my
coaching philosophy.
Coaching Philosophy
My philosophy of education asserts that I follow my passion for education through my
own learning and growth as an educational leader. As an educational leader, I must give back
through my time and efforts, improving my relationships with others every day. I must also
remember that students are entitled to quality instruction in a stimulating and active learning
environment, and I must support the educational leaders I work with in order to achieve those
goals. Students should always be our highest priority. They should be given the opportunity to

COACHING PLATFORM

act, interact, and react to their peers as well as the educational leaders around them. Curriculum
should always be up-to-date and properly evaluated. Expectations of students should be high,
yet attainable and always improve students educations. I will remember that to be a positive and
effective educational leader, the student must remain the most important focus in my academic
environment.