1. Mentor Qualities and Characteristics
After reading the text chapters, respond to the following
scenario:
Silence falls over the group of 10 teachers at the monthly staff
meeting as they see the early-childhood education coach enter
the room.
Coach:
Hi, everyone. As you know, your director invited me here today
to discuss some issues identified during your program’s annual
performance review. I know these are not the conditions under
which you might want to meet with me. While in the past you
have had your choice of professional development areas to
focus on, tonight you are required to examine the topics of
medication management and child health records. I would like
to propose you use the same process or steps as when you chose
the topics in the past.
First, we will brainstorm together to problem-solve and decide
which of the choices presented is the best way to comply with
specific health guidelines. The result is mandated, but the way
we get there needs to fit this program. Also remember, all
programs have opportunities for growth, and your willingness to
examine your practices really says a lot about all of you as
professionals who care deeply about the children in your
safekeeping.
The goal for this first meeting and for the next three follow-up
coaching sessions is to create and then implement a written plan
with the following sections:

2. A description of the practices we need to address.
A proposed timeline to meet all health and safety requirements.
An identification of responsibility for specific staff to take
leadership on revising previous practices and/or establishing
new ones.
A plan documenting the changes that will ensure program
compliance with health and safety standards.
But before we get started, does anyone have any comments or
suggestions?
Mary:
Yes. I think they are way too picky about these things, but I am
willing to learn.
Sue
: I agree, but since I want the parents to know that we are doing
everything we should, I think this will be helpful. You can
never be too safe when young children are involved.
Lonnie
: I have questions about our playground. Will we have time to
talk about other safety areas?
Coach
: How about if I pass out these blank cards, and you jot down
your questions and/or comments to ensure that we can address
each by the end of our session? I promise that we will examine
the areas you want to discuss by the end of our coaching
sessions. Does that sound like a good way to start?
In your initial post, address the following questions, using the

3. text to support your responses:
What effective relationship-based professional development
qualities and characteristics did this coach demonstrate?
Which two are the PD qualities and characteristics that are your
strengths and why?
Which PD qualities and characteristics do you feel you need to
work on and how can you achieve progress in this area?
How did this coach set the boundaries (ground rules) on planned
learning goals while still respecting the teachers as adult
learners who need choices?
Do you have any additional suggestions for this coach?