No two coaching relationships are the same; the relationship established between a coach and coachee is uniquely based on the needs, personality, learning styles, and experiences each person brings to the relationship. Coaching can provide one or all of the following: regular opportunities for individuals to reflect together about their hands-on work; an opportunity for skill development measured in competencies gained; a significant, long-term effect on the life or work style of another person. Successful coaching relationships usually benefit everyone involved – the coachee, the coach, and the profession. Here are additional benefits:

• One-on-one attention from a professional who is willing to support your unique professional needs
• Opportunity to share ideas with someone else in the profession
• Guidance and helpful feedback in the development as a professional
• New and/or different perspectives
• Assistance with the integration of knowledge and skills learned from conferences, workshops and reading materials
• An opportunity to build a network of contacts in the field and network within the professional community

The First Year Academy is a new cohort-based program designed to support new school business office and facility professionals across the state. Replacing the Year of Success, this model expands access to essential learning, fosters local networking, and accommodates a broader range of job roles—all while helping districts manage travel costs amid tightening budgets. This program consists of three meetings. There will be two consecutive days of in-person learning in both the Fall and Winter, with participants joining either a North Cohort or South Cohort based on their location. The final meeting will bring both cohorts together at the Spring Conference, providing a valuable opportunity to connect, collaborate, and extend their learning on a larger scale. Participants in the First Year Academy receive a one-year WASBO membership (if not already a member) and personalized one-on-one coaching throughout the year. Additionally, exclusive discounted conference packages are available, allowing participants to further enhance their learning and professional connections beyond the academy.

No two coaching relationships are the same; the relationship established between a coach and coachee is uniquely based on the needs, personality, learning styles, and experiences each person brings to the relationship. Coaching can provide one or all of the following: regular opportunities for individuals to reflect together about their hands-on work; an opportunity for skill development measured in competencies gained; a significant, long-term effect on the life or work style of another person. Successful coaching relationships usually benefit everyone involved – the coachee, the coach, and the profession.

Benefits for the Coach

• Opportunity to expand their leadership capabilities
• Opportunity to expand communication and listening skill set
• New and/or different perspectives
• Renewed enthusiasm for the role of the experienced professional
• Enhanced skills in coaching and modeling

Successful coaches share many common characteristics or traits. They are experienced and possess a willingness to facilitate learning and development. These coaches demonstrate a positive attitude and act as a positive role model exhibiting enthusiasm for the profession. Effective written and verbal communication, as well as ongoing personal and professional goals, are present. Most importantly, they foster, convey, and uphold the standards, norms, and values of the profession including the WASBO Code of Ethics.

Professional Coaching Expectations 

WASBO coaches are expected to meet the following expectations:

1. Build Rapport: Establish a trusting and respectful relationship with the coachee by demonstrating genuine interest, empathy, and understanding. A strong rapport fosters open communication and mutual respect, setting the foundation for a productive coaching partnership.
2. Listen Actively: Engage in focused and attentive listening to understand the coachee's perspective fully. This involves acknowledging verbal and non-verbal cues, summarizing key points, and avoiding interruptions to create an environment where the coachee feels heard and valued.
3. Promote Self-Reflection and Learning: Ask insightful and thought-provoking questions that encourage the coachee to explore their thoughts, feelings, and actions. Facilitate productive struggle and critical thinking to help the coachee arrive at their own solutions and insights, fostering personal growth and autonomy.
4. Provide Constructive Feedback: Deliver feedback in a clear, specific, and respectful manner. Highlight areas of strength and opportunities for improvement, offering actionable suggestions to support the coachee's development and progress toward their goals.
5. Facilitate Goal Setting and Action Planning: Collaborate with the coachee to define clear, realistic, and measurable goals. Support them in creating actionable steps and timelines, ensuring alignment with their personal and professional aspirations.
6. Maintain Confidentiality: Uphold the confidentiality of coaching conversations to ensure a safe and trusted environment. Information should remain private unless there is an indication of harm to self, others, or ethical breaches that negatively impact the school district. In such cases, consult the WASBO Coaching Coordinator for guidance.
7. Operate Ethically: Demonstrate integrity and ethical behavior in all coaching interactions. Model ethical standards by offering guidance based on best practices and prioritizing the well-being of the coachee, their team, and the school district.

While it is recognized that relationships built during a coaching experience may continue indefinitely, the Coaching Program is designed to exist for one school year. Any WASBO member that has been in their role for three or more years may apply to be a coach. The role should be of a similar title/responsibility, but may be in more than one location with three or more years of experience. Those applying to be a coach will need to have their supervisor approve of their coaching role. This is completed in the application process. Participants in the First Year Academy (formerly Year of Success program) will have a coach included as part of their participation. Any other WASBO member can choose the cost and structure to have a coach that works best for them.

Options include:

• In-Person Coaching
  • Monthly
    • Structure: Meet for one hour per month at an agreed upon location between coach and coachee
    • Cost: $1500 for one school year
  • Every other Month
    • Structure: Meet for one hour every other month at an agreed upon location between coach and coachee
    • Cost- $800 for one school year
• Virtual Coaching
  • Monthly
    • Structure: Meet for one hour virtually per month
    • Cost: $1000 for one school year
  • Every other Month
    • Structure: Meet for one hour virtually every other month
    • Cost: $550 for one school year

Trained coaches will be compensated for their time as identified in the agreed-upon structure explained above, and their time will be properly logged. For example, if the coaching relationship is in-person every month, coaches will be paid for one hour per month as properly documented in the coaching log. The coaching log will be shared with coaches at the start of each school year. Coaches' compensation will be $80 per hour plus mileage (mileage applicable only to in-person coaching and will be reimbursed at the state standard reimbursement rate for that year).

Coaching training will be provided to coaches. Coaches who have never been a coach with WASBO are expected to participate in a 4-hour training session. Topics covered in the training, but not limited to, include:

• Coaching vs Mentoring*
• Expectations of Coaching*
• Participation Cost & Structure*
• Handbook review (practical tips, timeline for suggested activities) Wisconsin School Business Official Standards & use of self-reflection tool in coaching*
• Case study analysis

In addition to the training, optional quarterly one hour virtual training will be available for all coaches to continue their professional growth as coaches. While optional, these are a good opportunity to network with other coaches and develop strong coaching skills.

For those that have actively served as a mentor in the former WASBO Mentor Program in the last five years (2020-2025), the four hour training will be replaced with a 90 minute training that will cover the topics above that are delineated with an asterisk (*). Note: Other topics may be added/edited as needed.

Practical Tips for Coaches

We often think commitment and action are all it takes to make good things happen. Research shows, however, that effective coaching takes much more.  To help these efforts be successful, here are some practical tips for coaches:

1. Always be honest.  Trust and respect are the foundation on which coaching relationships are built.
2. Avoid being judgmental of a colleague’s situation.  Acceptance without conditions communicates that your concern comes without strings attached.
3. Support, but don’t do the job of your coachee.  Don’t do for a colleague what she/he can do for him/herself. There are times that technical assistance may need to be provided which is completely acceptable. However, when these needs arise, teach how to complete the task with the coachee doing the work so that it will be replicable in the future.
4. Don’t expect to have all the answers.  Sometimes just listening attentively is all people need.
5. Help your colleague access resources and expand support networks. Discuss the importance of maintaining positive relationships. Encourage engagement in networking and learning opportunities such as regional meetings and WASBO professional learning opportunities.
6. If the relationship seems to stall, hang in there. Often those seeking a coach are in need of support, but can struggle to continually seek support when workload increases. It is recommended that you set up the next coaching session at the end of each session. If the coachee repeatedly cancels or becomes non-responsive to communication, reach out to the WASBO Coaching Coordinator to assist.