Coaching for the Classroom

The experience of being observed by Jo and then getting her feedback was both reassuring and transformationally challenging. I got affirmation that some of my stronger aspects were indeed good… while the bad habits and mistakes I knew I’d made, Jo unerringly spotted. The transformational bit was hearing about ways to improve my lessons which hadn’t occurred to me, or related to things I didn’t know I was doing. Jo gave clear, powerful, personal and (crucially) actionable feedback. When you get feedback from Jo, you know what you need to do next… Jo delivers her insights openly and frankly, but kindly. You can feel and see that it’s all coming from vast experience and knowledge about what really works, what doesn’t, and why. You can also call see that it’s all about outcomes. Jo wants your lessons to feel better, and she wants your students to learn more English from you, more confidently and efficiently. And she delivers.

Jo’s feedback was invaluable. She encouraged me to identify my own strengths and weaknesses and was constructive in suggesting clear areas for improvement and supporting me to achieve these. Jo has a wealth of experience and this means she knows what makes an outstanding teacher, instilling total confidence in her trainees. I am certain that it is Jo’s encouragement to constantly reflect on my practice that has led me to be so successful in my career since; I continue to use many of the strategies she taught me in my teaching now. I would absolutely recommend her to anyone seeking to develop their practice.

Jo kickstarted my passion for teaching. She has an enthusiasm that is contagious and I have no doubt had it not been for her feedback on my teaching practice I would not be the teacher I am today. She gives honest feedback really focused on how to improve. She gave me confidence and creative inspiration. She has shared the most incredible ideas/resources for lessons and I use them regularly. I still watch every video she releases because I know it will be full of real ideas and activities that can be used in my lessons. I often recommend her to colleagues, however most of them have already heard of her and are just as big as fan as I am!

Jo’s mentorship and constructive feedback were integral to my learning and growth and her rich experience in the teaching community leaves little scope for any gaps in comprehensive learning. She employed creative methods and ways to help refine my teaching process and made learning fun! Jo and her course materials are sure to take you far ahead in your journey; have faith that you are in the right hands!

What struck me from the very start, throughout the course and to this day years later was the clarity of the feedback Jo provided. I don't think I'm short of creativity however I can struggle to see the bigger picture at times. Jo was able to break down the learners’ needs for me and effectively explain to me how I can better teach the students. She is always able to get to the crux of the issue and help teachers to understand the reason they teach something, the method they could teach it with and the desired result thereafter. On top of all this, she inspired me to become a better teacher.

As a novice teacher at secondary and tertiary institutions in Hong Kong, I must say that I have been deeply inspired by Jo’s interactive and thought-provoking teaching strategies which have certainly expanded my imagination on becoming a TESOL practitioner. With her comprehensive feedback and professional advice on my teaching, I am more confident in conducting as well as reviewing my lessons in a more learner-centred, interactive and effective way so as to cater for multicultural learners with various needs and interests.