Research on adult learning tells us that professional self reflection helps individuals understand and improve their actions, which enhances competence and confidence. A coaching approach to mentoring shifts the mentor’s mindset from a basic problem-solving and consultative approach to one that supports ongoing self-assessment and planning. Such a reflective approach promotes analysis and the development of alternative strategies.
The Framework for Reflective Questioning can assist mentors in using a coaching style of interaction to promote reflection on the part of their paraeducator, using a capacity building approach. The framework is used to guide the mentor in the type and content of reflective questions to ask when assisting the para in reflecting on their past, current, and/or future actions. A mentor can also use the framework for promoting self-reflection to assess how their own practices are consistent with evidence-based practices.
As you scan the framework, note there are four types of questions: awareness, analysis, alternatives, action. These questions, in turn, are related to four areas: knowledge, practice, outcomes, and evaluation. Think about how these four areas are interrelated (i.e., how does one’s knowledge impact one’s practice? How does practice impact outcomes – and vice versa? And what role does evaluation play in the other areas?
While the four types of questions appear to occur in succession, the framework is not designed for linear use; questions should occur naturally in conversation. It can help mentors streamline their mentoring conversations with paraeducators and build capacity in their paras. It can be used by both novice and experienced mentors, assisting in the preparation, reflection, and assessment of coaching interactions. It can also help focus a conversation agenda and in designing and providing feedback, which we will discuss in Unit 5.
Reflect
Think about a specific paraeducator you may work with. How might this framework help you plan and execute a mentoring conversation with that para? We will revisit this framework in the next section.