The Power of Being a Relentless Learner with Dr. Will Deyamport

In this #coachbetter episode, Kim talks with Lesley Tait, Head of School, Lincoln Community School, Ghana. If you’ve been listening to the podcast this year, you know that Christina Botbyl and Kim Cofino recently published their first book together, Finding Your Path as a Woman in School Leadership. Earlier this year, they hosted a podcast launch party to announce the book (Listen to Episode 226)  This episode is a perfect follow up to that conversation, because Leslie is an experienced senior leader and she highlights many of the common experiences that women face on their path to leadership (highlighted in the Women Who Lead interviews in our book). On this call they about Leslie’s path to leadership, how (and why) the path to leadership is often different for women than for men, what schools can do to recognize aspiring and growing leaders, and how they can use coaching to support the development of more women leaders in their school community. This episode is a perfect blend of coaching and leadership - if you’re curious about the ways that coaching can grow leaders - and what to expect on the pathway to leadership (as a woman) this episode is for you! Find the show notes for this episode here.

28 Touko 202450min

It’s that time of year again! If you’re an international school educator, you might be returning back to your passport country - for the indefinite future when this school year ends. Are you thinking about what it might be like to re-patriate? What to expect when you move back home and things aren’t quite what you expected? Then you will love this clip from a previous episode of #coachbetter where Kim spoke to 4 experienced international school educators, Emily, Kristen, Maggie and Diana who had recently moved back to their passport country after a significant time overseas. Kim asked them what one piece of advice they would give others in a similar situation. Find the show notes for this episode here.

21 Touko 202410min

This #coachbetter episode is a special combination case study and coaching call with one of Kim's amazing clients, Paula Plaza-Ponte.  These episodes are real client stories - designed to give you a window into the experience and professional growth of coaches around the world.  Kim has been working with Paula for many years now, and although she’s no longer working full time in a school, her experience of going through the transition from classroom educator to education-aligned work in a non-profit is a story that deeply resonates with Kim - and we hope it does with you as well!   Find the show notes for this episode here.

14 Touko 20241h 6min

This #coachbetter episode is all about why tracking data about our practice is so important for instructional coaches. This is a conversation Diana and Kim often have with our participants in The Coach Certificate and Mentorship program and we wanted to share it with you too! This video is designed for current coaches who are building in reflective practices to continue to hone their craft. Find the show notes for this episode here.

7 Touko 20249min

In this #coachbetter episode, Kim talks with LaTyia Rolle, Elementary School Principal at the International School of Brussels. LaTyia “recently” moved from US public schools to international schools and she brings a wealth of experience working with instructional coaches as a school leader.  On this call they talk about why coaching is so essential for schools AND school leaders, what makes it successful, in particular what international schools can learn from US public schools, how to help school leaders see the value of instructional coaching, the connection or overlap of coaching and middle level leadership, and what school leaders need to consider as they’re building a coaching culture.  Find the show notes for this episode here.

30 Huhti 202452min

This #coachbetter episode is a highlight from one of our previous podcast episodes featuring Kawai Lai. Kawai’s work focuses on helping teams and leaders rethink culture, strategy, and leadership using the power of visuals. This particular clip focuses on creating psychological safety in teams. We're sharing this one because we know that trust and safety are two huge components of building coaching relationships, and we’ve been talking about the ways that instructional coaches are informal leaders in their schools all semester. This one clip gives concrete strategies on how you can create psychological safety with the teams that you work with right now. As a coach, and a leader, building this skill set will be essential in developing your relational leadership Find the show notes for this episode here.

23 Huhti 202418min

This #coachbetter episode is another in our series of coaching case studies, with one of Kim's amazing clients, Tracey McGillian. These case study episodes are designed to share the story of a coach, and the development of their coaching program and practice in their unique setting.  Tracey is a graduate of The Coach Certificate and Mentorship Program, and Kim has been working with (and the rest of the coaching team at her school in Pennsylvania) for several years. In this conversation Kim and Tracey talk about the evolution of the coaching program at PASD, and her own personal growth as a Tech Coach. Tracey made a big switch in her mindset and professional practice as a coach - from being reactive to being proactive - during her time in The Coach and that was a huge game changer for her! Find the show notes for this episode here.

16 Huhti 202448min

In this #coachbetter episode, Kristen is talking about why school leaders need coaching and to help them understand why and how coaching can be impactful for them too!.  If you’ve been a longtime listener of the podcast or our #coachbetter quicktips, you know that one of the questions we almost always ask of school leaders is how can we help other school leaders understand the value of instructional coaching. The answer is ALWAYS get them as close to the process of coaching as possible - and the best way to do that is to actually BE coached. When you have the experience of working with a coach, and you see the impact it can have on your professional growth, that is the deepest kind of “aha” moment about the value of coaching for all educators that you can have. Find the show notes for this episode here.

9 Huhti 202410min