Giant: Diane Zimmerman
Giant: Diane Zimmerman
“if I have seen further [than others], it is by standing on the shoulders of giants.”
1675 letter by Isaac Newton:
I met Diane in person at a Cognitive Coaching Advanced Training in Lake Tahoe, NV in the 80s. I had seen her on video tapes coaching teachers when she was a principal. She was humble then and remains so today. She willingly shared experiences that deepen my knowledge, skills, and applications of Cognitive Coaching and reflective thinking. Little did I know what an impact she would be on my learning.
Because of my training in Cognitive Coaching and being a former teacher in Minneapolis, I was invited to present Coaching training to administrators. I had coached for years but had not been doing training. Diane agreed to be a partner in my first training as a presenter. Even though I had presented with other material I was very nervous. OK, scared. I was relieved to have an expert by my side.
We had a meeting about the scheduled event in Lake Tahoe. When Diane arrived in Minneapolis, we again prepared which parts I would be responsible for. I will never forget some of her suggestions to me. Here were some of her suggestions to me.
- Step on my lines – are you kidding, you are the expert. She wanted me intentionally to interrupt when I could add something. She told me to step on her lines to increase my own credibility. YIKES
- Step forward when you want to take the floor – this is like a dance when you are co-presenting
- Watch the non-verbal communication of the audience when I am presenting – Suzanne Baily used to say the same thing. Diane wanted me to learn cues to co-present. .Pay attention to what is registering with the participants
- Add and elaboration whenever you think it will fit the topic, you have experience. Use it to extend the thinking from being a principal.
- Relax and have fun – HA, sweating profusely. The second day of training I did start to relax.
- I gained so many facilitation skills in presenting and managing groups.
WHEW! I got through the training, learned tons from Diane, and had the opportunity to give the same advice to others. I am forever grateful for Diane taking me under her wing, supporting me, and teaching me. Diane is a Learner Extraordinaire and has been a go-to person for me for many years. When I need coaching or to process leadership applications or research, I reach out to her. Her dissertation was on change both individually and systems. She has provided some of my most important feedback loops for my own learning
As we continue connecting over the years, we have written a book of coaching strategies, 9 Professional Conversation to Change Schools, presented at national conferences, and worked together hosting learning opportunities at Learning Omnivores.
Diane moved from teacher to principal to HR director to the superintendent positions. Now retired, I have benefitted from checking out ideas with her to get deeper meaning, coaching for clarity (I tend to jump ahead), and being challenged when I get into stinking thinking. We continue to share resources and catch up every couple of months to talk about projects or new ideas.
Diane told me once that she reads my summaries (I call them Sommeries) of books posted on www.learningomnivores.com to decide whether or not to buy and read a book. Hopefully the summaries save people time. Diane is also always reading something new and engaging.
I continue to learn from and with Diane. Her coaching and guidance have been a major influence on the learning, leading, and thinking. I remain grateful for her modeling, coaching, and support.