How do you build a relationship with an administrator?

Today's post is brought to you by Lisa Weiss.

When I think back to some of my most successful relationships with administrators, they were with administrators who were up front about literacy not being an area of strength for them. I appreciated that honesty—both times when it happened--because as coaches, we need to remember that most administrators started out as teachers, and it is likely that they had a focus area, and it may not have been literacy. The honesty and vulnerability it takes for a building leader to say, I need help in this area, is great because it allows for the element I think is key in building a relationship with an administrator: vision.

In both situations where my administrators were uncertain about what a literacy-focused school improvement goal should look like, I was able to provide the vision—the big picture, the details, the accountability measures, and the celebrations. The best part about having a hand in creating the school plan is that there were places where I could set up all-staff sessions, break out sessions focused on the literacy goals each teacher set for himself/herself, and small group and individual coaching sessions. The plan was heavy on coaching—I was responsible for much of the load, but since it was my vision, I had to accept responsibility for the action in carrying out the vision, using the administrators for support (and to send the administrative messages); using the teacher leaders on the school literacy team to provide professional development alongside me. Through the entire process of implementing the vision, I was coaching the administrators and developing teacher leaders in the literacy team while providing job-embedded professional development for the teachers!

Having a vision is important, but a vision without action and accountability is simply a good idea. I think these two pieces—action and accountability—also are administrator dazzlers. Beyond providing the long-term and short-term vision, are the steps to getting to the end goal! Administrators need to see that you can carry out the vision, that you can work with people, and that you can work through challenges. When they see you doing what you said you’d do, and seeing the results of what you do, they become believers that a school cannot thrive without a literacy coach! It is important to make the time to meet with your administrators so you can talk about progress and difficulties, so that 1) they are crystal clear on what you are doing, 2) they can support you through the mud when you are stuck, and 3) they can celebrate the small successes with you along the way.

When you can provide a vision, and show that you have the ability to gently lead teachers in the direction of the goal, your administrators become your cheerleaders! And let’s face it, literacy coaching is tough work-- we could all use a cheerleader!