We have been using a coaching model at the Vancouver Learning Centre for a number of years and we have numerous success stories. Coaching at the VLC uses the coactive coaching model which focuses on the students’ needs to listen, set goals, work hard, and celebrate. They are encouraged, inspired and motivated. They are challenged to define their values, explore their character, set goals and action plans, do their work with guidance and positive feedback, and achieve exactly what it is they want. Our coaching program consists of regular, consistent conversations which focus on the student’s strengths and build up his/her weaknesses. Topics include: self-esteem, assertiveness, time management and organization, resilience and goal-setting.
The VLC is not a school but a Specialist Learning Centre. The VLC delivers a team-based process. A teaching captain is assigned to oversee the program delivery and to be the main contact with the parents who then become an integrated part of the team. Schools can then be involved as appropriate.
In the case of home schooling, the curriculum, homework tasks, testing, and the program to earn credentials and provide oversight to the curriculum is up to the distance education school. This becomes the learner’s school and the VLC will work collaboratively with the school’s contact person and will actively address all IEPs or special needs developed by that school.
Whether the student attends on site at VLC and remains as part of a class or works with a distance education school, the VLC becomes the specialist provider of one to one teaching based on the special needs of the learner in collaboration with the learner’s parents and the contact person assigned by the school.