The course that I have undertaken with Coach Academy Plus has been the most welcoming and engaging course that I have undertaken to date. Meeting like-minded people on a weekly basis has offered me a space to learn and to elaborate skills that were at their infancy in my role as a school leader. Throughout the journey to become a coach has offered me means and ways to improve my professional ability. Models and skills learnt through the course have supported me professionally and personally. The course became my ‘me time’ and left me energised and invigorated. I have started my coaching journey thanks to Noel, Elizabeth and all the team. I would feel this is a ‘must’ course for school leaders.
– Rhodri Mears, Principal, Midleton ETNS, Co Cork
I would like to take this opportunity to thank you both for this course. I was so unsure at the start if this was the right course to do or if it would be worthwhile for me. I can say with absolute clarity that it has been. It has given me a wisdom about what I do and why I do it. It has given me the skills to face the hard challenges and take them on. I no longer see them all as confrontations. But I am happy to have the conversations. I’ve learnt the skills I need to navigate these and I’m practicing them daily. I am improving and my mind is calmer and happier. This course has been invaluable.
– Rebecca Cleary, Primary School Principal, Christ the Saviour NS, Ballingarry, Limerick.
Taking part in the Leadership Coaching Skills Programme has been extremely beneficial and transformative for me – both professionally and personally. The skills developed have given me confidence in my abilities, enabled me to identify my strengths and empowered me to strive towards my goals. The course has also challenged me to examine decisions made as well as my interpersonal skills. I have learned techniques to manage and navigate challenging situations, empower, develop and challenge others and forge and maintain relationships. Since beginning this course, I have renewed energy, focus and enthusiasm in my leadership role.
– Mary Hayes, Primary School Principal, Limerick
Wonderfully facilitated over Zoom by Noel and Elizabeth, a safe virtual learning space was created with a surprise element of convenience as Zoom negated the need to travel which allowed us to blend the course into our lockdown lives.
Continual encouragement to bring our learning to life in the workplace motivated keen interest throughout. Practical and skill focussed in essence with content which sparked vitalising awakenings… this the most engaging and personally fulfilling course I have had the pleasure of being part of to date.
– Sinéad Keenan Primary School Principal
In this very difficult year Coaching Skills for School Leaders has had a very positive impact on me. This course is a journey of professional and personal growth. The skills I have developed have given me confidence in my abilities and my daily interactions with staff, students, and parents. After every session you are ready and equipped to try out a new skill and see the value in it. Completing the course via zoom made for easy access, no traffic delays and a safe space for conversations and skills to be practiced. I would highly recommend it to all current and aspiring school leaders who are interested in building positive relationships and developing themselves.
– Claire Cunningham, Post Primary AP1, Galway
Participating in the ‘Coaching Skills for School Leaders’ course (QQI Level 6) is an enriching and growing experience for me. Not only the course itself but also the additional elements to it like the development of key skills through role-play and other practical elements. I would highly recommend this course to people who are genuinely interested in building positive professional relationships and developing themselves in their professional and personal lives.
– Donal Cahir, Post Primary Deputy Principal
This course has provided me with skills that I will use throughout the rest of my career as teacher and principal. I have learned skills that will be extremely useful on a daily basis e.g. listening, building rapport, summarising, questioning and reflecting back. I have already used many of these skills in my encounters in school life, which has had a positive impact. I think that teachers / principals need to develop the aforementioned skills as the management of relationships in schools can provide the biggest challenges for leaders.
What makes this course different to other courses that I have done is the practical nature of it. This makes it extremely engaging and enriches the learning. This ensured that the skills I learned about have been firmly embedded in my practice.
The engagement with other teachers / school leaders on this course has also generated huge learning opportunities. Also through practising the skills of coaching and being coached it has clearly demonstrated how powerful it is as a leadership skill. It provides space for the coachee to work through difficulties and challenges. Engaging in coaching practice has visibly decreased professional pressures for me this year.
I have recommended this course to several principals I have met this year at other CPD courses.
– Ann Lynskey, Primary School Principal, Clare
In these challenging times in the world of education, the Coaching Skills for School Leaders course has had such a positive impact on my daily interactions. The course is particularly relevant to a school context and the various relationships that exist there…students, parents, colleagues, etc. In an era when mental health and wellbeing are in the spotlight, teachers are not always considered. This course gives a positive mix of theory and, more importantly, practical skills and tools to navigate the often, difficult conversations we have in our professional lives.
The practical element of the course increased my self-confidence, especially in my roles as a Year Head, a member of the Student Support Team and a member of the Professional Support Team in the Droichead Process. I feel better equipped now when engaging with all stakeholders.
As a result of my participation in this course I have the tools with which to improve my relationships, even those that are more challenging, leading to a much more positive working environment.
Transformational leadership is valued in the school context, and this course equips participants with skills and knowledge to guide and lead others to be better versions of themselves, while simultaneously valuing themselves and their impact on the workplace.
– Claire Culligan, Deputy School Principal, Galway
I would highly recommend the Leadership Coaching Course for all school leaders and to aspiring school leaders. The experience to date has been a very beneficial and positive one for me not only in terms of continued professional development but also the influence it has had in how I conduct my interactions with people both in my professional and personal life. The course has given me the opportunity to discover and utilise skills that I had within myself that had been lying dormant up until now.
The journey of self-discovery gives you the belief in your own abilities and equips you with the necessary approaches and skills in how to best utilise such abilities in your day-to-day responsibilities as a school leader. I have seen notable improvements in how I have handled challenging situations within my role in school with staff, parents and the children. The course has heightened my awareness and given me a greater understanding of people and their behaviours as well as liberating me as a leader in the understanding that I can only control my own actions.
– Jane O’Leary, Primary Deputy Principal, Clare
The Coaching Skills for School Leaders programme has given me a fresh approach to principalship. I’ve learnt new communication and management skills that are immediately transferable to my school. I am more far more confident and resilient in dealing with the challenges of school leadership. The course is very practical and tailored to meet the needs of school leaders. I would highly recommend it for all current and aspiring school leaders.
– Kevin Clohessy, Primary School Principal, Clare
A key outcome of the course for me was the knowledge gained on the “Grow Model” of coaching and my subsequent adoption of the leader coach role. The GROW Model of Coaching has given me an increased understanding of the coaching principles and has allowed me to apply new approaches to my daily work. This model of coaching is one that can be adapted for many different situations, not just for individuals but also for teams and projects. I am currently using this model of coaching to lead a team and it is an invaluable tool in helping me plan and manage this project.
– Hanora Hartnett, College of FET, Limerick
The course was expertly designed and delivered by Noel and his team of experienced coaches who were not only knowledgeable but also very approachable and supportive throughout the program. The course provided a comprehensive overview of the coaching process, including the principles and techniques used to facilitate meaningful and productive conversations with clients. The facilitators also shared their own personal experiences as coaches and educators, which made the course feel very authentic and relatable.
One of the things I appreciated most about this course was the focus on practical, hands-on learning. The facilitators provided ample opportunities for participants to practice their coaching skills through role-playing, skills practice and other interactive exercises. This approach allowed me to develop my own coaching style and gain confidence in my ability to guide coachees and colleagues through challenging situations.
The course also provided a strong emphasis on building trust and rapport with clients, which is crucial for effective coaching. I was taught how to establish a safe and supportive environment for coachees to share their thoughts and feelings, and how to actively listen and ask powerful questions to help coachees gain clarity and insight.
Overall, I found this coaching skills course to be incredibly enriching and valuable. I walked away with a deeper understanding of the coaching process and a set of practical skills that I can use to help others achieve their goals.
This course was an absolute game-changer for me and I am grateful for the knowledge and skills I gained from it. I cannot recommend it highly enough to anyone interested in developing their coaching skills!
– Darragh Greene, ASD Class Teacher, Scoil Bheinín Naofa Cailiní- Duleek
I could not recommend this course highly enough. It is one of the best courses I have ever studied. It is practical in nature and provides course participants with vital coaching skills that can be used on a daily basis on both a personal and professional level
– Robbie O Connell , Principal, St Brendan’s NS, Blennerville, Tralee , Co Kerry