Chapter 13: Transdisciplinary Peer Coaching: Pairing Social Work and Education Faculty to Transform Practice Available to Purchase

Higher education faculty often receive very little formation in effective teaching methods, and the autonomy faculty value can also lead to isolation and frustration when faced with teaching challenges. The authors, social work and education faculty at a single institution, found support, camaraderie, and help in improving instruction through voluntary participation in a transdisciplinary peer coaching group. Basic principles of andragogy, including intrinsic motivation, self-direction, and relevance, help explain the success of this peer coaching model. Through the program, the authors created a culture of inquiry, developed a common vocabulary around teaching and learning, and found opportunities for skill development. This chapter gives an overview of the strengths faculty from each discipline brought to the process, the ways in which this particular transdisciplinary collaboration was complementary, and the benefits experienced by the participants. Recommendations for practice include providing appropriate professional development for peer coaches, the importance of the pre-conference in helping the observer understand discipline-specific practices, and expectations and norms for ensuring quality feedback. The authors also suggest that peer coaching communities may provide a helpful means of support for institutional efforts to recruit and retain faculty of color, and recommend further study in this area. Peer coaching offers faculty a way to grow as instructors while maintaining autonomy, and can develop a stronger sense of belonging among faculty.