Foundational Coaching
Fundamental Coaching Skills for Directors, Department Heads, and Independent School Educators
COACHING IS BOTH A SKILLSET AND A MINDSET — a way of supporting others to gain clarity about who they are, what they want, and how to achieve their goals. Through the Foundational Coaching Institute, which is based on Graydin's approach, participants will learn to use coaching as an empowering communication tool to build strong relationships, inspire action and autonomy, and foster self-awareness and responsibility in themselves and those they coach. The program emphasizes experiential learning, with opportunities to observe coaching, practice skills, and receive feedback. Participants will leave the program equipped to apply these techniques across professional and personal settings, including active listening, providing constructive feedback, defining core values, and leading conversations that drive awareness, action, and workplace fulfillment.
Monday
Building the Foundation
After registering and settling into your dorm room, we'll establish a supportive learning community as we explore the fundamentals of coaching. In the evening we'll head to a cocktail hour and gourmet dinner at Pomfret's dining hall.
Tuesday
Start with Heart
Learn and practice the Start With Heart Model, focusing on the essential steps of a coaching conversation, the three levels of listening, and effective questioning.
Wednesday
Strengthen Your Practice
Deepen your skills through values coaching, new perspectives, and strategies for generating actions and plans.
Thursday
Bring It Together
Practice coaching, receive feedback, and integrate your skills to build confidence and refine your approach.
Friday
Coaching for the Future
Clarify your definition of coaching, apply it to your role, and prepare to bring your skills into your life and work.
Meet Your Facilitator
Kristin Hoins, Ed.D.
Kristin Hoins is a school leader, relationship systems and leadership coach, adult learning specialist, and research practitioner. She is dedicated to knowledge sharing and collective resourcing of educators, coaches, leaders, and teams, and leads learning communities for and with educational leaders. Over the past two decades, she has worked across K-12 public, independent, and international education spaces as a curriculum designer, professional growth coach, National Board Certified classroom teacher, special education specialist, and ICF individual and team coach focused on learner-centered experiences. She earned her doctoral degree in educational and organizational leadership at the University of Pennsylvania. Her research focuses on the experience of and intentional design for belonging at work as examined through the stories of K-12 public, independent and charter school leaders.