Building Structures for Instructional Coaching Success with Leigh Miller

Today I’m chatting with Jackie Frens, K-8 tech integration specialist in two private schools in Michigan. Jackie has a wide range of experience in both private and public schools in the US, as well as international schools. In this episode, we talked about many different elements of making coaching successful - especially when you’re split between two different schools with many different competing priorities. Jackie is a very thoughtful practitioner and her insights and reflections provide lots of opportunities to look deeply at the rewards and benefits coaching can bring - even in a demanding multi-school environment. Find the show notes for this episode here.

22 Okt 201959min

Today we’re chatting with Jocelyn Sutherland, Grade 1 classroom teacher at UWC Singapore. Jocelyn has taught almost every grade level and she’s been a digital literacy coach, so she is able to see both the teacher and the coaches point of view as we discuss innovative ideas in teaching and learning. Our conversation got pretty deep as we explored the impact of stereotypes on younger learners, the importance of bringing diversity into the classroom, and the importance of coaches “just being there” in the classroom. We’re super excited about our new questions and conversation format for the #coachbetter podcast, and we hope you love it too! Find the show notes for this episode here.

15 Okt 201946min

Today we have a thoughtful and in-depth conversation about innovation in schools with Tim, Tricia, Diana, Maggie and Marcello from our YouTube series, Coaching Fundamentals. (Marcello sneaks in around the halfway mark so he didn’t get a formal introduction, but you’ll hear his voice in there!). Our conversation today focused on the Gartner Group’s model of the Hype Cycle and how it relates to implementing change in schools. We share some personal experiences with each stage of the cycle and then focus on strategies all instructional coaches can use to successfully implement new ideas in any school setting - so that change can be less stressful and much more manageable for teachers with very busy workloads!  Find the show notes for this episode here.

8 Okt 201956min

In today’s episode Clint and I are chatting with a very special guest, Steve Barkley. Clint and I have been learning from Steve for many years and it was an extra special treat to be able to have his time for a full hour today! Steve’s own experience as an educator, combined with all of his published work and collaboration with public and private schools around the world provided a wealth of knowledge and experience for our conversation. We talked about the critical elements that make coaching (and teaching) a success, everything from the importance of working as team to building trust through vulnerability and even the challenge of expertise getting in the way of coaching. This episode is FULL of essential strategies to build a successful coaching culture. Find the show notes for this episode here.

3 Okt 201950min

In this week's episode Kim is chatting with David Lee, Elementary STEM Coach at Singapore American School. David’s experience with design thinking, along with his personal connections to his own education provide great insights into the value and purpose of authentic and meaningful use of technology in the classroom. As a first-year, full time coach, David shares lots of great strategies for how to connect with teachers and build authentic learning experiences for students. Full show notes here: http://coachbetter.tv/episode-54

25 Sep 201938min

In today's episode we’re chatting with Melissa Lim, Learning, Teaching and Technology Specialist in Portland Public Schools. Melissa shares her experiences being only 1 of 2 people who focus on technology in a school district of 90 schools and 50,000 students. Melissa shares her strategies for building teacher capacity when there is limited access to coaches and on-site professional learning. For coaches working in larger school districts and ready to leverage the power of community, Melissa’s experiences offer strategic and inspirational pathways to getting started! Full Show Notes: http://coachbetter.tv/episode-53

18 Sep 201945min

In today's episode Kim chats with Melanie Smith who oversees the K-12 Counseling program (as well as K-12 PBIS, SEL and Crisis teams) for a large school district in Washington State. Melanie’s district-level perspective provides clear direction for how to create a successful coaching culture. She shares critical elements for coaching success, including the balance between skill set and relationship building as coaches, understanding the shared purpose and the “why” for all stakeholders in a school building, and the importance of providing time for coaching from a leadership perspective. For those that are wondering how to scale coaching to a school- or district-wide level, this conversation is full of essential strategies and steps to take! Full show notes here: http://coachbetter.tv/episode-51

4 Sep 201944min

In today’s episode Kim chats with Carrie Zimmer, 4th grade teacher at GEMS Dubai American Academy. Carrie has a wide range of experience, including being an instructional coach in her previous school, so her thoughts in this conversation provide great insight into the needs of a classroom teacher - with the perspective of a very recent coach. Carrie shares her thoughts on the real value of a coach to a classroom teacher, and what schools and coaches can do together to make sure coaching is perceived as valuable and worthwhile from a classroom teacher’s point of view. Full show notes here: https://coachbetter.tv/episode-50/

28 Aug 201937min