Spring Cleaning Your Coaching Practice (Because We Know Your Desk is Hidden Under Sticky Notes)

by Tracee Keough

Let’s be honest: it’s spring. State testing schedules are looming, the weather is teasing us, and if you are anything like me, your desk is currently buried under a mountain of chaotic, pastel-colored sticky notes. You’re likely running on a potent mix of lukewarm coffee, soda and the sheer will to support just one more teacher before the bell rings.

As we enter the final quarter of the school year, the physical and mental clutter can feel incredibly heavy. But here is your official permission slip to take a breath and do a little "spring cleaning."

Spring cleaning your coaching practice isn't about adding another color-coded spreadsheet to your life. It’s about letting go of the initiatives or habits that are no longer serving you or your teachers, and making room for what actually brings joy and effectiveness in this final stretch.

Here are a few quick, 60-second "brooms" you can use to sweep away the chaos and reclaim your sanity:

📝The "To-Do Triage" When your to-do list is longer than a CVS receipt, everything feels like an emergency. Stop trying to do it all (I know, easier said than done). Instead, at the start of each day, quickly prioritize your top 1 to 3 tasks. This 60-second triage helps you focus, guarantees a quick win, and prevents you from getting hopelessly sidetracked when the inevitable mid-day school chaos erupts.

📨 The "Email Blitz" Block Nothing derails your momentum quite like the constant "ping" of your inbox. Instead of keeping that tab open all day, dedicate a specific 15-minute blocks throughout the day to respond to emails. Block it on your calendar, blast through the responses, and then close the tab so you can actually get back to supporting humans instead of screens.

📋 Document on the Go Stop trusting your tired spring brain to remember the brilliant observation you made in second period. Instead of waiting until the end of the day to write down your notes, use a Google Form on your phone, a quick note on your phone, or a small notebook to jot down observations and ideas immediately after they occur. It saves time later and keeps your mental workspace clear. 

💬Ditch the "Polite" for the "Progress" Sometimes, the clutter in our practice comes from talking in circles. If you have been doing the polite dance with a teacher all year, it might be time to sweep that away and try a more direct approach. Remember to balance personal care with direct challenge to deliver the "truth" without breaking the relationship.

Let’s Clean House Together! If you are ready to declutter your coaching life, you aren't alone. Join your fellow EDU Network  coaches for a quick discussion on  "Spring Cleaning Your Coaching Practice: Efficient Systems & Tools". Lean into the powers of other coaches and see how they are doing things to spring clean. 

Hang in there, coaches. Sweep away the extra noise, focus on those small wins, and maybe—just maybe—throw away a few of those sticky notes. You've got this!

P.S. If you missed the Radical Candor & 3 Types of Feedback webinar on 3/13; check out the recording in the EDU Coach Network library!