Monday, May 2, 2011

Coaching Youth in Education

Posted on Monday, May 02, 2011 by International Coach Federation

The cutting edge of coaching teens and young adults appears to be in education. This may be because schools are where large numbers of youth gather for a predictable amount of time. Schools are great environments for influencing the learning habits of youth. Many schools welcome coaches provided that it supports both the students and their education. 

I am currently working on my dissertation on “Life Coaching Youth.” Research on youth is limited, as most coaching literature focuses on adults. There is, however, some existing research that provides evidence that life coaching programs for youth may provide multiple benefits. These benefits include; improvement in overall health, and well being, and hope, improved academic performance, goal setting and motivation;  increased ‘cognitive hardiness’ and confidence in themselves. 

I’ve been coaching youth at the high school level since 2005, with great results!  If you are a coach who loves working with youth – consider partnering with a local school to provide coaching services. Funding cuts abound in this current economy, including in educational  settings. Educational leaders are, however, beginning to realize that coaching youth in schools may have several positive effects. These may include increased attendance, academic scores and graduation rates. These are results that grant providers are seeking!

Here are some ideas that I have found successful with coaching youth in educational settings:
• Coaching small groups of students around a specific topic.
• Coaching individual students for short periods of time.
• Working with alternative or charter schools who provide students with academic credit for participation.
• Coaching seniors to support graduation and transition plans.
• Coaching 9th graders to assist their adjustment into high school.
• Coaching college freshman to support their transition.
• Provide coaching to students with AD/HD.
• Provide training for teachers and administrative staff to learn coaching skills.

Most importantly –  don’t forget to seek out support and even peer supervision for yourself.  Coaching youth can be challenging. The ICF Teen SIG meets the first Tuesday of each month at 12:00 p.m. (New York). Join us!

-Sandi Lindgren, LICSW, PCC (www.isupportyouth.com)

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2 comments:

  1. Interesting and important information. It is really beneficial for us. Thanks
    skill testing

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  2. Hi Sandi, I loved your post and would love to take a look at your dissertation. My partner and I work with multiple youth groups and schools in Mexico City, with a wonderful outcome, and would love to get in touch with you and have a conversation about this amazing professional and life project.

    In gratitude

    Santiago Trabolsi
    santiago.trabolsi@belivecoaching.com

    ReplyDelete

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