About Amanda
A saying that really means a lot to me:
"I'm not telling you it's going to be easy,
I'm telling you it's going to be worth it.
I'm not where I need to be,
but thank goodness I'm not where I used to be."
I am not sure we are ever 'finished' in terms of our own self development, but we can certainly be more appreciative of our journey and be able to prioritise the actions which we need to take to move forward using quality coaching. I am a respected leader, reflective person and have good interpersonal skills which have always enabled me to get on with people that I meet.
I enjoy driving myself as both an Educational /Coaching Consultant in Oxfordshire /Swindon areas and being a successful Personal and Professional coach.
I was coaching Penny, now a thriving middle leader, for six sessions and she had made excellent progress towards her end goal.
About three sessions in Penny said "Without coaching, I have felt like I was running down the middle lane of a motorway into oncoming traffic. When we work together, you pose questions which ask me why I am not using the central reservation."
I thrive on seeing people move forwards in their own lives moving from where they currently are to where they want to be. The co-coaching programme I have set up for teachers in a school is having a positive effect on morale, community spirit as well as teaching and learning.
Can you imagine collaborating with someone who has no line management or judgemental focus in order to develop what is going on in your classroom, office or home life? The discussions are confidential between coach and coachee. There is an understanding between two people and their only aim is to reflect and develop positively. I can only wish I had been able to work with a coach when I was a full time teacher.
Experience
I have been (and still am) a science teacher in state secondary schools for thirty years. I still can't quite believe it has been that long! I love working with young people and thirst to see reflected back the passion for learning and self development that I have.
I was a member of a Senior Leadership team for 15 years before being asked to lead a Sixth form college through their inspection. Following introduction of a faculty system, lesson observations and feedback plus regular data analysis, we felt ready. The college achieved an outstanding judgement.
I currently act as an Executive Head of Science (and member of the Leadership team) two days a week in a local secondary school, as well as being an Associate trainer for Creative Education, co-author of training materials and an Associate Lecturer for UWE on the PGCE Science programme.
I decided to train with the Coaching Academy in order to continue my self development journey and have enjoyed every minute of it.
Coaching style
I specialise in working with people who work at all levels in education, from Teaching Assistants to Head teachers.
In a recent coaching session with Paul, (a middle leader) he said "I have never talked to anyone like I do to you. I have surprised myself with the things I am able to share and unpick in our coaching sessions. It is a revelation to me that I think and feel this way about things".
Paul has gone on to follow a personal dream of competing in a triathlon and has also applied for an Assistant Head position - a post he never felt worthy of before due to his limiting beliefs.
I completed a DISC profile with Susan who is an Assistant Headteacher in a primary school. In our subsequent coaching sessions, Susan was able to understand why she was frustrated with another member of the Leadership team. This revelation enabled her to work out better ways of working together.
Coaching will not enable you to change another person, but sometimes it helps you understand their motivation, fears and driving force so you can work together more productively.