Beyond the Checklist: Coaching with Compassion

I want to take a moment to highlight something powerful that came up during last week’s staff meeting—something that truly resonates with the heart of our work, especially during Mental Health Awareness Month.

One of our coaches shared a story about working with a student who wasn’t making visible progress. The student was struggling with depression, which naturally impacted motivation. It was a hard situation, but what the coach said really stood out:
“Sometimes, we have to give students the space to just be.”

This simple truth carries so much weight.

Rather than jumping straight into checklists or planners, she waited. She let the student be, honoring where he was and allowing space for trust to grow. And that’s the part I want to sit with for a moment.

Last week, I reflected on one of my very first coaching experiences and how, looking back, I might have made different choices with the knowledge and experience I have now. And that’s the beauty of what we do—it’s constantly evolving.

Executive Function coaching isn’t just about schoolwork. It’s about showing up, modeling flexibility, and helping students regulate and navigate life—especially when things are hard. When a student is wrestling with mental health challenges, progress may look different. It may look like showing up. Like trusting us. Like trying again next week.

The thing is... sometimes we need to give students the space to learn to trust us and just find their way. This means we might not see progress in that moment—but often, when that trust is built and the student is ready, small changes will start to emerge.

Let’s hold space for our students in all the forms they show up. Let’s continue to be the steady presence they can count on. Your work matters more than you know.

Take care of yourselves, too—we can't pour from an empty cup. 💚