Isikkent Schools Wins 2013 International Coach Federation International Prism Award

LEXINGTON, Ky., Oct. 17, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Isikkent Schools was named the winner of the 2013 International Coach Federation International Prism Award during an ICF-hosted October 16, 2013, virtual ceremony. An honorable mention was awarded to the Defense Acquisition University (DAU) during the same online event.

"The International Prism Award recognizes the highest standard of excellence in the implementation of organizational coaching programs fulfilling rigorous professional standards, addressing key strategic goals, shaping organizational culture, and yielding discernible and measurable positive impacts," said 2013 ICF Global Chair and Master Certified Coach Dr. Damian Goldvarg. "As educational institutions with deep investments in improving learning outcomes, both of this year's honorees have demonstrated the power of coaching to reshape organizations and change lives."

Turkey's Isikkent Schools, which serves students from kindergarten through grade 12, has a stated mission of educating young people holistically in service of developing them into highly motivated, self-aware and thoughtful adults passionate about lifelong learning.

"Isikkent has been a pioneering school on many fronts since its founding. Thanks to its alignment with our vision and objectives, coaching has yielded fruitful results for all stakeholders," wrote ICF Professional Certified Coach Vedat Erol, collaborative creator of Isikkent's coaching program, in the school's Prism Award application.

Coaching touches the lives of every member of the Isikkent community. To date, more than 40 teachers have completed a full-length training program and joined the school's corps of coach-teachers. Meanwhile, all teachers and support staff have received several hours of coach-specific training in order to better understand and support the school's coaching culture. Students, teachers and parents may all request one-on-one coaching from an Isikkent coach-teacher. Training is also available to help parents adopt a "coach approach" to interactions with their children.

As the corporate university for the United States' defense acquisition workforce, the DAU trains and supports the 152,000 military and civilian acquisition professionals involved in the largest buying enterprise in the world. The DAU's coaching program includes more than 49 experienced faculty members who have participated in a rigorous training and qualification process.

"Coaching at DAU is valued as a high-impact, 'beyond the classroom' learning and performance engagement. We have strong resource support because we are able to demonstrate that we are making a difference in the lives of the leaders we coach and in their organizations," wrote DAU's director of leadership programs and coaching, ICF Associate Certified Coach Richard D. Hansen, Jr., in the organization's Prism Award application.

To date, more than 220 key leaders at the strategic and organizational levels have received one-on-one or team coaching through DAU, while nearly 3,000 supervisors and mid- and senior-grade leaders have participated in DAU's coaching-based leadership-development courses. Civilian and military leaders tout coaching's benefits to their peers and subordinates, and DAU coaching clients report high return on expectations in areas including organizational change, networking, strategic thought and leadership, leadership confidence, and time management. The DAU has reported a return on investment in coaching of more than 700 percent.

Past winners of the ICF International Prism Award include Banner Health, the United Nations Secretariat, Roche Turkey, BC Housing, British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), Genentech, ibm.com North America, JOEY Restaurant Groups, MCI, NASA, Solaglas Windowcare, Sysco Canada, TINE Group, University of Texas at Dallas and Verizon Business.

The International Coach Federation is the leading global organization for coaches, with more than 20,000 members and 10,000 credentialed coaches in more than 100 countries worldwide. ICF is dedicated to advancing the coaching profession by setting high ethical standards, providing independent certification and building a worldwide network of credentialed coaches. Coaching is a distinct service and differs greatly from therapy, consulting, mentoring or training. ICF defines coaching as partnering with clients in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires them to maximize their personal and professional potential. For more information, please visit our website at www.coachfederation.org.

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SOURCE International Coach Federation