Session 213Tips & Techniques for Empowering

High School Students withLearning Differences in your Classroom

November 3, 2014

Learning Center

Stephanie Hulke

shulke@flinthill.org

Matthew Philippmphilipp@flinthill.org

Session 213 Presenters

Learning Center

AgendaStudent-empowering tips & techniques:

– Intro to LC Coaching– Student self-awareness– Building 1-on-1 relationships– Asking powerful questions– Student-run meetings– Utilizing parents

Intro to LC Coaching (1 of 2)

What is LC Coaching?

– Learning Center (LC) Coaching• Typical session (20-30 minutes)• Personal Coaching Agreement (PCA)

– Asking powerful questions

– Actively listening (this can be difficult)

– Students evolve by learning to identify and solve their own challenges

Intro to LC Coaching (2 of 2)

What is LC Coaching and why are we doing it?

 – Frustrations with our old model (too reactive)

– Theory of coaching and our training• Coach the whole person, not the learning difference

– Goals, action steps, accountability, and rewards• Process of growth and positive change

Student self-awareness

Creating awareness of his strengths & weaknesses

– What is this particular student’s motivation?

– Is student willing to advocate for herself?

– Issues external to academics:• Family,• Extracurricular,• Social, and• Logistical.

Building 1-on-1 relationshipsPositive connection is the key:

– As teachers, we can’t turn away our students!• Coaches can actually turn away clients…• “Sorry, you’re not ready for coaching at this time.”

– Building a 1-on-1 relationship (this is power)• Consider strengths & weaknesses of LC Coaches!

– “Is this student coachable right now?”• Remove coaching hat, and• Put on “old school” LC hat!

Asking powerful questions (1 of 2)

What do powerful questions* sound like?

– Non-judgmental– Emphasize listening– Attentive & respectful– Paraphrasing back what you hear– Asking for clarification

– Not planning your response– Not solving problems– Not giving advice

* JST Coaching, LLC, 3/2013

Asking powerful questions (2 of 2)

Here are questions that we like!

– What are some possible solutions?– What would you do differently next time?– What have you tried so far?– How do you think you’re going to approach that task?– What would you like to change next time?– What could get in your way?– How are you going to remember to do that?

Student-run meetings

This technique was created to help our hover parents!

Students explain to teachers

how their accommodations

work best for them in

each classroom!

Utilizing parents

How can your parents help?

– Understand how their student receives homework assignments (Assignment Center)

– Review grade reports shared by classroom teachers (an argument for Open Grade Book)

– Be sure to compliment your student first!

– Ask open ended questions (and listen!)

Questions?Would you like to role play a student of yours?