Coaching as an option for the elementary school principal: an action research study
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Authors
Stern, Jane P.
Issue Date
2000
Type
Capstone
Language
en
Keywords
Psychology
Alternative Title
Abstract
This action research project is an in-depth study of the work of a coach and her client -- an elementary school principal -- during a two-month coaching process. The project and the process emerged from a desire to learn about the most fitting actions of a coach in order to provide a productive coaching experience for future clients. A review of the literature in leadership in general and school leadership in particular is followed by a review of the literature in the field of coaching. This review reveals a lack of widespread research and practice in the field of coaching school leaders. While coaching has recently become an acceptable strategy to support leaders in the business world, school leaders who experience similar demands as CEO's and heads of large organizations, have not been supported in the same ways as their business community counterparts. The study also describes the methodology of action research. Through goal setting, reflections of the client, the author, and the author's outside coach, the author presents her discoveries, summary, analysis, and the need for coaching school leaders as a strategy for support and professional development.