My Coaching Office
Categories: Instructional Coaching, Organization
I don’t know about you guys, but I just love love {yes two loves, not a typo} peeking inside the work spaces of other coaches and teachers. Educators have some seriously creative super powers when it comes to organizing and decorating and there’s so many good ideas we can steal from each other! Since it’s nearly November, I thought it was high time for me to give you a peek inside my own coaching work space. Take a look around and if there are any ideas that catch your eye, feel free to steal away!
To start, you’ll likely notice I’m no longer in my PD Pad. Our school recently received a remodel, so I now have an office to work in, which makes me feel pretty official. There’s a retractable wall just to the right of the round table which we slide back every Thursday for PD to create a large gathering space for teachers.
I use the larger table when I’m meeting with teams of teachers and the round table for smaller gatherings.
I set up the desk on the left as a space for our school designer to work when she visits on Mondays and Thursdays.
A few years ago I made the decision to do away with my big, bulky file cabinet. After some ruthless purging, I was able to downscale to a tidy little file box that I tuck away behind my bag. I’m pretty discriminating when deciding what paper documents to keep. The large majority of my files I now store electronically.
My desk is fairly small so there isn’t space to stack a bunch of unnecessary stuff. I try to keep it as clutter free as I can.
I just made this fun desktop wallpaper. If you like it too, download it here.
Anything that needs to be processed goes into my inbox. At the end of each day I process away.
To the right of my desk I set up a teacher resource book area.
Rafe Esquith is one of my favorite educators and I love his motto, “Be nice, Work hard.”
Feel free to steal this download!
Here’s a view from the back of my office.
These are our five staff habits. They’re nice to have displayed in a location that I can easily reference.
Rather than going with the offer of standard Staples bookshelves, I chose to hunt down a more stylish option. I went with the Ikea Expedit shelving unit in grey and worked in a mix of open and closed storage.
I added labels to the baskets so I can quickly find what I’m looking for.
And of course my space wouldn’t be complete without a coffee station. I splurged this year and bought a Nespresso machine and I love it! Everyday I look forward to my 3:00 espresso break. Mmmm…coffee…
Well there you have it! What do you think?!
Thanks for reading,
I love it! A friend of mine retired from teaching last school year and during her “free time” she explores Pintrest and she sent me a pin for your blog. I started this year as our District Literacy Specialist for K – 12. It has been a whirlwind since starting in August and reading and exploring your blog has been a life saver. I told my friend when she asked what I tought of all the pins she kept sending me that “I want to be Ms. Houser when I grow up in this postion.” You are inspiring and so helpful!
HA! Tammy, you’re too funny :)
It sounds like you have a pretty big job on your hands as the District Literacy Specialist…good for you! I bet you’re doing great.
I’m glad my blog has been of some help. Keep in touch!
Kristin
Hi Kristin,
I just found your blog via Twitter- LOVE it! I am so jealous of your coaching room. What an incredible space to work in! Can’t wait to keep reading. Take care!
Dear Kristin,
I am an Instructional Coach for a PK-2nd primary school and a 3rd-5th elementary school in Georgia. This year, when combing the www for some assistance, I stumbled upon your blog. I wanted to let you know what a blessing it has been to tap into your “superpowers”! Your generosity of spirit (and STUFF) is so refreshing. A true coach helps others want to be more and do more… you are coaching people you don’t even know…;-)
Thank you again,
Janne
Such a creative space. Can you share where you got your paisley wall decals? I am desperate to cover up ugly walls.