By Ruth Murphy
MYP Physical and Health Education Teacher
DP Sports Science and Health Teacher
CL Secondary Physical Education Department
As our students progress through the MYP Physical and Health Education program, one important component they will undertake is the ‘coach-client’ aspect of their PHE ePortfolio. In this role, students will have the opportunity to develop valuable life skills in areas such as communication, independence and leadership.
The coach-client experience allows students to practice skills that can benefit them in many aspects of life after school. Learning how to support others towards their goals in a positive way translates well to future careers in education, health and wellness, or any role that requires managing or motivating individuals. The coach-client responsibility is not introduced all at once. Over the MYP years from Grade 6 through 10, students are slowly exposed to taking on these collaborative roles. In younger grades, coaching may simply involve sharing wellness tips with a partner or checking in briefly on each other's goals. As students mature, more structure is added each year to best set them up for success in Grade 10. This longer experience allows students to strengthen the competencies they'll rely on for their final ePortfolio.
The incremental preparation ensures everyone is adequately supported each step. Mistakes made in younger years pose lower stakes for learning. By the time they take on their high-stakes Grade 10 coaching roles, students have had plenty of guided practice to feel ready. This staged introduction reflects MYP ideals of developing lifelong learners. It gives all students time to progressively build the higher-order thinking capacities required for independent, sustained wellness coaching.
Throughout the process, coaches will provide guidance, feedback and encouragement to keep their clients on track. This allows students to practice leadership, accountability and communication as they support their peer's wellness journey. As a coach, students also build competence in creating structured plans, setting measurable objectives, providing feedback and evaluating progress - all crucial skills for academic and career success. They gain experience taking responsibility for another person's development, an attribute highly valued by post-secondary programs and employers.
Clients, in turn, learn responsibility in tracking their progress and commitment to their own health goals. By having a coach to check in with regularly, clients also build confidence through achieving milestones with support. Clients gain independence, self-advocacy and perseverance as they take ownership of their health targets. Achieving challenges with a coach by their side establishes patterns for lifelong continuous learning and improvement. Both coaches and clients practice important soft skills like accountability, commitment and cooperation.
At the end of the experience, coaches and clients will reflect on the process together. They will evaluate what did or didn't work in reaching the client's goals. This teaches valuable lessons about continuous improvement that can be applied to maintaining a healthy lifestyle long-term. Students will leave the experience with confidence in abilities like leadership, organization, critical thinking and communication - attributes that open more doors for higher education and future careers. They also learn to view wellness not just as an academic requirement, but as a personal priority that impacts quality of life.
The coach-client role provides a great opportunity for students to learn essential life skills while also supporting their peers. We encourage you to discuss the process with your child to help them get the most out of this experience. With hard work and commitment from both coaches and clients, meaningful growth in health and wellness can certainly be achieved. We encourage discussing your child's experience to help them make real-world connections. This unique opportunity equips students with multifaceted skills for ongoing success in whatever path they choose after high school.
