On 8th October 2021, MTU became the first university in Europe and one of the first globally to attain the International Standards for Mentoring and Coaching Programmes (ISMCP) Bronze Award. This prestigious award which was bestowed by the European Mentoring and Coaching Council (EMCC Global) following a 4-month evaluation process was in recognition of MTU’s Coaching and Mentoring Culture.
Peer Mentoring in Higher Education – a key to better staff induction
"Peer coaching is a staff development model which can be used to develop and try new strategies and determine what does and does not work by critically evaluating beliefs about teaching and learning. Peer coaching is built upon trusting relationships that develop between lecturers.
The seminar outlined the nature of a coaching conversation and gave participants an opportunity to develop their listening, questioning and feedback skills. The seminar was designed to develop professional communication and dialogue one of the four domains underpinned by the National Professional Development framework’s values.
Collegial coaching, technical coaching, challenge coaching and team coaching were examined and their use in third level explored. The four types of peer coaching are all very different, but they are built upon effective communication that is honest and open and based on an unbiased attitude and a willingness to help others grow professionally. This involves trust building. Effective peer coaches must be dedicated to working in a trusting relationship with a partner to continually improve his or her teaching skills. They must also be open to new ideas and willingly share classroom experiences with their partners. Effective communication means more than just teachers talking with each other. It involves:
conversation skills
listening skills
nonverbal language
giving constructive feedback
developing trusting relationships
The seminar/workshop employed a blended learning approach involving experiential learning techniques complimented by facilitated debriefs, group discussions and short presentations.
Participants who attended this workshop:
Deepened their understanding of the nature and benefits of peer coaching in enhancing CPD commitment and impact.
Gained a heightened awareness of their capacity to listen with unconditional positive regard
Increased their knowledge and expertise in the use of questioning to raise awareness
Developed their skills in offering impactful feedback
Constructed an action plan to utilise the workshop content to improve their own communication skills so they can better support their peers and engage in purposeful conversations regarding professional development, development of learning communities and communities of practice."
Being a Better Coach & Mentor Series: The power of listening at a deeper level
"Explore what is meant by ‘deep listening’, where ‘people can think with rigour, imagination, courage and grace.
This ¾ hr workshop briefly explores the coaching partnership that focuses on ‘deep listening’, where ‘people can think with rigor, imagination, courage and grace.’ (Kline, 2010). The content is based on Nancy Kline’s ‘Time to Think’ and ‘More Time to Think’ and discusses the 10 components for enabling a ‘thinking environment’ e.g., appreciation, encouragement, attention, feeling.
This workshop is not just for coaches or mentors, but for anyone who functions within an environment that requires a deeper level of listening i.e., teachers, lecturers, team leaders, team members, support staff, parents etc.
By the end of this workshop, participants will have a broader understanding of what it means to:
1. Be in the listening environment with authentic presence
2. Remain focused, observant, empathetic and responsive to the other party
3. Demonstrate curiosity during the listening and coaching process
4. Manage one’s emotions to stay present with the other party
5. Interrupt the other party because of certain assumptions
6. Harness the power of gratitude in a way that is useful and empowering for both parties
7. Use incisive questioning to enable deep thinking in other party.
This workshop forms part of the Being a Better Coach and Mentor series and is eligible for Continued Professional Development credit contributing to a Coach/Mentor/Supervisor EMCC Global Individual Accreditation."