go beyond words — training and development for educational, corporate and personal effectiveness

According to research by Bev Showers and Bruce Joyce, 80% of the information presented in a staff development will be retained if a teacher is coached on the information they received.

Nonverbal Classroom is committed to reversing the trend of over training and under implementation.

Rate of Retention for Staff Development Training

• 3% for attending
• 10% if the presenter demonstrates the skills
• 40% if participants role play
• 50% if participants debrief after role play
• 80% if participants are coached

How Does Coaching Work?

Nonverbal Classroom offers both individual and group coaching. To explore which option might be best for you or your organization we’ve included the following descriptions:

One-on-one Coaching

• The coach will observe the participating teacher for approximately 10 – 15 minutes.
• Videotaped observations are highly encouraged, but not required.
• A 15 – 20 minute non-threatening coaching session follows where the coach and the teacher watch the videotape and discuss what is happening in 3rd person. “When the teacher...the class responded by...”
• The coach focuses the observation and debrief on nonverbal communication techniques only. Curriculum, lesson planning, etc., are not discussed.
• Teachers are given typed comments to take with them for later study.
• The coach and the participating teacher are the only ones to view the videotaped observation. Any outside party (including the administration) will never view the observation without the express consent of the participating teacher.
• Teachers may elect to bring a VHS tape to the debriefing to take a copy of the recording with them.

Group Coaching

• The participating teacher will videotape a 10 minute segment of teaching and bring it to an hour-long group coaching session
• Up to three teachers can be present in each session
• Each videotape will be reviewed with a coach present using 3rd person language
• The coach focuses the observation and debrief on nonverbal communication techniques only. Curriculum, lesson planning, etc., are not discussed.
• The coach and the participating teachers are the only ones to view the videotaped observation. Any outside party (including the administration) will never view the observation without the express consent of the participating teacher.
• Teachers may elect to bring a VHS tape to the debriefing to take a copy of the recording with them.

What Teachers are Saying About Coaching

“The coaching sessions are the best part of the training. Knowing that my coach is coming to videotape my class, I am compelled to focus on using the skills in my teaching. In the afternoon, we review the tape together in a non-stressful session. My coach points out the things I did well and the techniques I could implement to improve my teaching. All of the information is tailored to my specific needs. It is invaluable feedback!”

— Kim Higgins, 7th Grade Social Studies

“I think this program, all around, is great! The training days were so helpful, especially the video/coaching/feedback days. I will continue to refine and utilize the teaching tools next year with amazing results.”

— Sandra Wadkins, 6th, 7th and 8th Grade Art

“Coaching helped me fine tune my communication both with staff presentations and in the classroom. The debrief time was the best feedback I have received as a teacher. I was always dissatisfied with traditional feedback from administrator drop-ins. This was low risk and all about my goals of wanting to maximize my effectiveness in giving new information and instructions. I continue to use the new awareness I gained. This is the real deal.”

— Nathan Traller, Literacy Coach

“The coaching has been pretty valuable for me. Especially seeing myself in action and getting specific feedback from you as we watch the video together and going through the lesson step by step. I learn so much about myself as a teacher, about what techniques I'm using well and what needs to be improved and incorporated in the future. I want to thank you also for giving the feedback on the same day and stress the importance of it because the lesson taught that day is still fresh in my mind and your feedback is so much more meaningful. Thank you.”

— Anahit Isikbay, 8th Grade Science