Queensland Education Leadership Institute (QELI) and Growth Coaching International (GCI) have announced a new partnership to promote coaching-focused professional development programs for educators in Queensland. From 17 April, QELI, with the support of GCI, is taking its already successful Brisbane-based coaching programs directly to schools and regions across Queensland to offer localised professional development opportunities.
The move sees two eminent training organisations strengthen their partnership of seven years, and further their commitment to supporting school improvement and enhancing learning outcomes for students in Queensland.
QELI CEO Neil McDonald, said coaching in education is increasingly recognised as a key element in strong leadership and a crucial component in driving sustainable school improvement. By strengthening ties with GCI, QELI is furthering its commitment to supporting the development of Queensland teachers and ensuring accessibility to all.
“Coaching in an educational context is a self-directed, one-to-one conversation where a coach encourages learning through questioning, active listening and challenging discussions in a supportive and encouraging environment. By participating in coaching-focused professional development, educators build teaching and learning capability, collaboration and cultural change is intensified and student learning outcomes are improved,” Mr McDonald said.
“Colleagues, particularly in regional and remote areas, continually ask for our programs to be more geographically accessible to enable whole-school learning and development. This new arrangement now allows QELI and GCI’s coaching expertise and highly regarded programs – including Introduction to Leadership Coaching, Coaching Accreditation Program and Peer Coaching – to reach more educators, and ultimately support more students.”
GCI Executive Director John Campbell said GCI is delighted to be extending its partnership with QELI to enable easier access for Queensland educators to the GCI coaching-focused professional learning programs.
“Coaching skills are increasingly seen as core leadership skills for educators and this extended partnership will enable educators in regional areas to experience professional learning that has made such a positive impact for others over the last few years,” Mr Campbell said.
In-school and in-region coaching programs will be managed by QELI and facilitated by GCI.