Coaching as a Way of Leading: Supporting a culture of agency while aligning professional practices

Schools are in a complex place where supporting a culture of agency is fundamentally important – for students and teachers alike – yet the alignment and consistent use of effective whole-school teaching practice is also of great importance.

Most educators and leaders have “done” coaching in some form. Fewer have matured their understandings and skills in ways that genuinely integrate coaching into their way of leading.

This masterclass session is an opportunity to reimagine how to support the thinking and choice of educators, while maintaining alignment and professional accountability. Regardless of your experience in coaching you’ll walk away with enhanced skills and approaches to apply across a continuum of learning conversations.

Ben Calleja

Ben Calleja is an executive coach, facilitator, strategist and is a Director of Growth Coaching NT, SA and WA since 2015. Prior to leading Growth Coaching International, Ben worked as an educational leader and administrator in both Australia and the United States for over 16 years. He facilitates deep learning with educators at all levels from teachers in the classroom who want to improve the way they self-reflect on practice and engage in rigorous dialogue about learning, to working with Corporate Executive teams on the way they think collaboratively and lead whole-of-system innovation and improvement. His professional experience beyond his current work includes Indigenous education, university teaching and counselling, and has worked in remote Aboriginal communities in Western Australia.

Av Swami

Av Swami, is the Director of CCSolutions & Growth Coaching WA, SA & NT since 2021 and prior to this has held a variety of school leadership roles in both regional and metropolitan context and has recency in the West Australian system as Associate Principal, Head of Learning Area and teacher.  During his time in schools, Av has had a positive impact on wellbeing and pedagogical practice, using a coaching approach.  Av believes in the power of positive psychology and a solution focused approach, which is at the centre of his own practice.