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In a recent episode of Student-Centered Coaching: The Podcast, we sat down with Amber Birch-Trujillo, to delve into a crucial aspect of effective coaching: the asset-based mindset. This conversation offered many insights into how instructional coaches can shift their focus from deficits to the inherent strengths and talents of students, teachers, and school leaders.
What Does it Mean to be Asset-Based?
Amber defines an asset-based mindset as an approach that allows educators to “pull back a little bit” to recognize and appreciate the strengths, talents, experiences, communities, and resilience that students and colleagues bring to the table. It’s about understanding, recognizing, and then leveraging these “assets that live inside of them”. In contrast, a deficit-based mindset focuses on what’s lacking or needs fixing. While the intention behind wanting to solve problems is often good, an asset-based approach allows for more engagement and opportunities by building upon existing strengths.
Why is an Asset-Based Mindset Essential in Coaching?
As instructional coaches, there’s a responsibility to model and foster this mindset with others. Focusing on strengths allows coaches to partner with teachers to design relevant and meaningful learning experiences for students. An asset-based approach also acknowledges the complex and sometimes overwhelming nature of teaching and learning, offering a more positive and effective way to navigate challenges by building upon what is working.
The power of an asset-based approach extends beyond student interactions. It influences how coaches work with teachers and even school leaders. When frustration arises regarding school culture or leadership, adopting an asset-based lens encourages coaches to identify the strengths a leader brings and how they can be supported. Just as we wouldn’t want others to focus solely on our shortcomings, it’s vital to extend the same grace and positive perspective to our colleagues.
Practical Strategies for Fostering an Asset-Based Mindset
During our interview, Amber shared several concrete strategies for cultivating an asset-based mindset in coaching practice:
- Setting High Expectations: Believe in what students and teachers are capable of achieving. The example shared in the podcast of the second-grade team designing rigorous pre-assessments for newcomer students, which ultimately revealed surprising strengths, highlights the power of this belief.
- Anchoring Conversations in Student Capabilities: Focus on what students can do rather than what they can’t. Examining student work and noticing approximations allows for conversations about progress and next steps, building on existing abilities.
- The Power of Noticing and Naming: During co-teaching or classroom visits, actively observe and document what students are doing. Sharing these observations with teachers can be incredibly powerful, as illustrated by the story of the teacher who was moved to tears upon seeing the strengths her students demonstrated. This practice, documented in the “Noticing and Naming” chapter of “Student-Centered Coaching: The Moves,” helps teachers see the progress happening in their classrooms and identify “just right” next steps for their learners.
- Intentionally Celebrating Growth: Make celebrating successes a consistent part of coaching conversations and cycles. This includes looking at pre- and post-assessment data and taking moments during co-planning or co-teaching to acknowledge student achievements. Reflecting on why certain strategies worked helps build teacher efficacy and collective efficacy. Embedding celebration throughout the coaching cycle, rather than just at the end, is a key practice.
An Asset-Based Mindset is Contagious
A significant takeaway from the conversation is the contagious nature of an asset-based approach. When coaches model this mindset in their interactions, it can inspire teachers and even leaders to adopt a more positive and strength-focused perspective as well. This creates a safer and more supportive environment for growth and learning for everyone in the school community.
Looking Ahead
As the school year progresses and challenges inevitably arise, returning to an asset-based mindset can be a powerful way to re-energize and refocus our efforts . By consciously choosing to see and build upon the strengths around us, we can create more impactful and positive learning experiences for students and foster a more supportive and efficacious environment for educators.
Let’s take Amber’s words to heart and commit to showing up with an asset-based approach, recognizing the incredible potential within our students, our colleagues, and ourselves .