Case Study: The Nuances of Moving from Classroom to Coach with Tina Bhatia

In this #coachbetter episode, Kim talks about the additional complexities involved in instructional coaching in an international school setting.  Of course, this does not mean that instructional coaching is not complex in other settings, or that any of these factors are not present in other settings, these are just five layers of complexity that are often the norm in international schools. However, when we are working in international schools, there is often even more complexity involved in the role, which may go unrecognized by school leaders, or even coaches themselves because this complexity is our “normal.”  At the recent EARCOS teachers conference, Kim and participants unpacked some of those complexities in one of her sessions.  In their conversation, they identified five key factors that make instructional coaching highly complex in the international school setting - and she's going to share those 5 with you in this episode! Find the show notes for this episode here.

29 Loka 202417min

This is a highlight from one of Kim's favorite episodes from a previous season. If you’re a longtime #coachbetter listener, you know that Joellen Killion is Kim's instructional coaching superhero, and her episode from a few seasons ago was a masterclass in all things instructional coaching.  This episode is a perfect introduction to thinking about, and reflecting on, the type of coaching support you’re providing to your coaching partners. So many of Kim's clients get stuck in the “advice trap” or constantly feeling like they have to prove their worth to potential coaching partners by being on demand for resource support. This conversation with Joellen highlights an essential mindset shift for instructional coaches. As Joellen says: Results can build relationships as relationships can build results.  Find the show notes for this episode here.

15 Loka 202423min

In this #coachbetter episode Kim chats with return guest Steve Barkley, Executive VP PLS 3rd Learning, author of many books about instructional coaching, and Advisor Executive Committee of AAICIS, the Association for the Advancement of Instructional Coaching in International Schools.  Kim is excited to share this episode with you, not only because Steve is amazing and one of her coaching superheroes, but also because he was one of our first ever guests on the show - so it’s especially interesting to hear first-hand how his thinking has evolved over time since that conversation. In this episode they talk about: Systems for coaching success - especially when starting from scratch What leaders need to know about the long term impact of coaching - especially when talking to their school board How to make coaching sustainable What experienced coaches can do to continually refine their practice Trends in instructional coaching in international schools This episode is a gold mine for coaches or school leaders looking to build successful and sustainable instructional coaching programs! Steve works with so many schools, and has such a deep understanding of how coaching works - you don’t want to miss this episode! Find the show notes for this episode here.

8 Loka 202451min

In this #coachbetter episode, Diana unpacks the flow of a coaching conversation, so you can think about, or reflect on, the way you structure conversations  with your coaching partners.  It can feel really intimidating to start having coaching conversations because we know we want them to feel purposeful and meaningful, but we also want them to be comfortable enough to feel like a safe space to be vulnerable and take time to process (and not like a formal meeting you might have with a supervisor). So how do you find just the right balance? Diana shares the framework we use in The Coach Certificate and Mentorship Program so you can see the way we structure those conversations. SO many of our participants come into the program having seen overly complicated and complex coaching meeting templates and they are so relieved when they find our simple process because it’s easy to implement right away - and adapt as you use it and find your own unique voice as an instructional coach. Find the show notes for this episode here.

1 Loka 202414min

This #coachbetter episode is another in our series of coaching case studies, with one of Kim's amazing clients, Kelly Esposito, K12 Instructional Coach at Phoenixville School District in Pennsylvania USA. Kelly is a graduate of The Coach Certificate and Mentorship Program, and Kim's been working with Kelly (and the rest of the coaching team at her school in Pennsylvania) for several years. 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.   In this conversation they talk about...  What coaching looks like in Kelly's school setting right now How her role has, and the coaching program at PASD has, evolved over the years A big “aha” moment Kelly had in The Coach around equity and math instruction The success of implementing Building Thinking Classrooms at PASD How she’s refining her practice over this academic year What she wish she knew when she started coaching This episode is a fantastic example of how successful instructional coaches are always intentional about growing their skills and refining their practice over time. Find the show notes for this episode here.

24 Syys 202445min

In this #coachbetter episode we’re talking about the repeatable processes that coaches can repurpose year after year to keep their coaching program thriving.  This is a highlight from one of Kim's favorite episodes from a previous season. If you’re a longtime #coachbetter listener, you know how valuable it is when we get to hear from current school leaders who have formerly been instructional coaches. This conversation is from one of those very special episodes, with Samantha Olson-Wyman and Stephanie Cifuentest, both former instructional coaches, and currently senior leaders. This episode shares insight into the work that the instructional coaches at the American School in Guatemala do every year to continue to grow the success of their coaching program. Find the show notes for this episode here.

17 Syys 202415min

In this #coachbetter episode Kim chats with Leigh Miller, Deputy Head of School at Munich International School.  In this episode they talk about: Leigh’s extensive experience with instructional coaching, in particular what has made it successful in previous schools,  the systems and structures that need to be in place for coaching to be successful and then sustainable,  the importance of developing a program and not just hiring a coach,  measuring the impact of coaching,  specific challenges for international schools, and  what school leaders need to consider when building a coaching culture.  This episode is a gold mine of specific actions schools can take to develop and sustain a coaching culture, especially in an international school setting! If you’re curious about what makes coaching work - based on evidence from a variety of schools, and through a leaders perspective, this episode is for you! Find the show notes for this episode here.

10 Syys 202455min