The Power of Clarifying Conversations with Jennifer Abrahms

In this #coachbetter episode we’re chatting with four of our superstar coaches from the podcast: Tim, Ben, Kim and Maggie, so you get a wide range of perspectives and experiences! We talk through the different approaches we take when working with teams as compared to how we work with individuals, the strategies we use to effectively facilitate meetings and the prep work that goes into making those meetings successful, as well as the ways we can support the professional growth of a team by thinking about team dynamics. Find the show notes for this episode here.

26 Aug 202052min

In this episode, Clint and Kim chat about what a return to school in such uncertain times may look like, particularly for coaches who may be working in a hybrid or remote model, as well as the themes for our first semester of podcasts for this academic year. Find the show notes for this episode here.

19 Aug 202032min

In this episode we’re highlighting some great moments from upcoming #coachbetter conversations to give you a sneak peek into our second “official” season of #coachbetter. We'll take you on a quick tour of the guests and the episodes so you have some context for the conversations. Not every episode is included here, but you’ll get an overview of our two key themes for the semester: how coaching can support social justice work in our school communities and how coaching and leadership intersect in many different ways.

12 Aug 202017min

Today on #coachbetter we’re chatting with Stuart McAlpine, Director of Teaching & Learning at UWCSEA. Stuart his perspective on the way that both Cognitive Coaching and Instructional Coaching support teacher professional growth at UWCSEA. We talk about the critical importance of leadership demonstrating an understanding and belief in the power of coaching to build a culture of coaching, and the ways that coaches can help school leaders understand why coaching is so important for teacher professional growth.  Find the show notes for this episode here.

23 Juni 202032min

Today on #coachbetter we’re chatting with Jim Laney, Head of School at the American Embassy School in New Delhi. This conversation was a powerful reflection on the importance of seeing ourselves as learners - and the value that coaching can bring to that experience. Jim shares his experience being coached, and building a coaching culture as a school leader. His perspective about the value of coaches, and the ways that many middle level leaders in schools are also coaches helps shine a light on the importance of learning how to be a better coach. If you’re supporting school leaders who are looking to better understand the value of coaching, this episode is full of great ideas! Find the show notes for this episode here.

16 Juni 202054min

Hello coaches! Welcome back to another episode of #coachbetter! Today, Clint and I are chatting with Stéphane Vermeulin, Lower School Digital Learning Coach at International School Luxembourg. Stéphane has had a wide variety of experiences, including teaching at the university level and extensive work with Cultures of Thinking with Ron Richard, and he brings them all together in his approach to coaching. Our conversation highlights the critical importance of building a trusting environment through the actions you take and the language you use. We move back and forth between Stéphane’s role as Activator for Thinking and Learning and his Digital Coaching role to highlight how each one supports the other. This conversation is a deep look at how, even the very small actions we take as coaches have a big impact on the coaching culture.  Find the show notes for this episode here.

9 Juni 20201h 8min

How can instructional coaches effectively partner with building admin who are stretched thin? We all know how busy our school leaders are, so we took this with a positive frame and strategized 6 ways that can coaches be a positive addition to a school leader's busy day. If you are looking for more ways to support your building leaders and develop strong professional relationships, this episode is for you!  Find the show notes for this episode here.

2 Juni 202020min

Today, Clint and I are chatting with Ana María Gach, Middle School Digital Media Teacher at Singapore American School in Singapore. Our conversation covered a lot of ground, including the awesomeness of being a middle school teacher, the challenges of representing diversity in educational contexts, and the realities of sometimes feeling left out of the coaching loop when you’re a specialist teacher. Ana María shares several concrete examples of what makes coaching a transformative experience, particularly for teachers who are in the fine arts. If you’re looking for ways to reach out to your specialists, or you just love middle school, this episode is for you! Find the show notes for this episode here.

26 Maj 202046min