In this episode of Coaching Conversations I am joined by one of ICG's consultants, Christina Ortega. Christina is an experienced instructional coach and coordinator of math and science. I had the opportunity to work with her and several coaches last year as part of a study where we looked at a year in the life of a coach. She taught me a lot about what people were dealing with, successes and challenges, in the moment as she was coaching. It was an incredibly unique learning experience that I'm grateful for.In this episode, Christina talks about the power of being a learner and why being a continuous learner is a critical part about being a coach. She and I revisit what it was like to be in the study last year and how it taught her about the importance of pausing and reflecting. Tune in to hear Christina's perspective on the rewarding and gratifying work that is instructional coaching, while also embracing the scary moments and giving space to success stories. Christina and I also touch on the following key aspects of coaching:Role ClarityAligning a Coach's Role to the Goals of the School and DistrictWhat it means to be an advocate for yourselfCoaching questions, tips, forms, tools, and activities that will help you on your journeyTLC - Christina's perspective as an attendee last year and what she's excited about presenting this year!To learn more and join the institute, click here.To purchase our planner, click here. I'd love to hear your feedback about my weekly Coaching Conversations. Please consider leaving a rating or review and subscribing to our channel.

In this episode of Coaching Conversations I'm excited to learn from my guest James Marshall, professor at San Diego State University—ranked as the top education school in California—and author of Right from the Start: The Essential Guide to Implementing School Initiatives. James draws a clear distinction between programs and initiatives, emphasizing that initiatives are what truly drive systemic change. They are embedded in the culture of an organization, fostering meaningful change. Initiatives are designed to make a real impact.Tune in as James shares a comprehensive, evidence-based approach to successfully implementing school initiatives. He covers key aspects of this well-structured process, including:The importance of conducting needs assessmentsEssential factors to consider when designing and launching initiativesAn introduction to the "logic model" and its role in initiative planningThe significance of a program director and what makes an effective oneFundamental principles for monitoring the impact of an initiativeAnd more!High quality implementation is essential. We have great ideas, but they aren't great if they aren't implemented effectively. I'm grateful James Marshall gives us ways to do it. I'd love to hear your feedback about my weekly Coaching Conversations. Please consider leaving a rating or review and subscribing to our channel.Join us at the Teaching Learning Coaching conference in New Orleans or Online, this October. To learn more, click here.Learn how administrators can support their coaches effectively by clicking here.

In today's podcast episode Jessica Wise and I discuss the topic of nominal change from my recent article in Educational Leadership "The Problem of Nominal Change". Join us as we unpack the challenges, implications, and strategies for breaking free from cycles.I define nominal change as the act of stating or expressing intentions without actual implementation or execution. Nominal change is prevalent in education, where initiatives are adopted but not effectively put into practice.In this episode, I highlight the systemic and psychological factors contributing to nominal change. Systemically, educators often face time constraints and lack adequate resources to implement new initiatives effectively. Psychologically, there's a tendency to chase after new ideas without committing to the hard work required for deep implementation.Throughout the episode, I explore various examples of nominal change, ranging from professional learning communities to instructional coaching programs. I discuss the importance of establishing clear goals, having dedicated champions for initiatives, and allocating sufficient time and resources for implementation.The conversation delves into 7 practical strategies for escaping the nominal change cycle, including beginning with the end in mind, having a champion for initiatives, and ensuring deep knowledge among educators. I'd love to hear your feedback about my weekly Coaching Conversations. Please consider leaving a rating or review and subscribing to our channel.   Interested in joining our Intensive Institute, click here. Join us at TLC in New Orleans, this October as we remind ourselves to keep kids first. To learn how to join us, click here.

Welcome back to Coaching Conversations. Today my guest is Allison Rodman, Founder and Chief Learning Officer of The Learning Loop. Allison's background spans various roles in education, from teacher to instructional coach, from school leader to director of teaching and learning. She's an ASCD Faculty Member and the author of Still Learning: Strengthening Professional and Organizational Capacity and Personalized Professional Learning: A Job-Embedded Pathway for Elevating Teacher Voice.As the driving force behind The Learning Loop, Allison's mission is clear: to reshape how we view professional development.In this episode you'll hear Allison share about her passion for student and adult learning, encouraging educators to see learning as an ongoing journey rather than a one-time event. Listen in as Allison shares details about the 5 key concepts from her latest book Still Learning: Strengthening Professional and Organizational Capacity, and find out how to understand, accept, and elevate the importance of stillness within the field so that we can make sure we're making the most thoughtful decisions on behalf of one another as well as our students.I'd love to hear your feedback about my weekly Coaching Conversations. Please consider leaving a rating or review and subscribing to our channel.   Curious how our consultants can make an impact on your school or district, click here. Join us at TLC in New Orleans, this October as we remind ourselves to keep kids first. To learn how to join us, click here.

"I think the whole idea, and what I get excited about is that the more we can design learning to reflect how kids' brains work, and the more we can use teaching strategies that really accelerate their learning, the easier it is for them, the more joyful it is for them, and also for us. In the end, I feel all this is adding up to joyful learning experiences for kids and for teachers. We all want to be great teachers, right? We all want to see the light bulbs go on for kids, And, I think this is, ultimately, all about those joyful learning experiences." - Bryan GoodwinIn this episode of Coaching Conversations, our special guest is Bryan Goodwin, President and CEO of McREL International, a nonprofit organization that provides in-depth professional learning and school improvement services to school systems worldwide to help educators use the science of teaching, learning, and leading to lift all learners.Learn about the approach in developing the rigorous research base for the third edition of Bryan's book The New Classroom Instruction That Works and how this new methodology yielded an updated set of 14 high leverage teaching strategies that have been shown, scientifically, to promote deep, meaningful, and lasting learning for diverse students.In this conversation, Bryan shares details about the six phases of learning and the cognitive science behind each.Become interested.Commit to learning.Focus on new learning.Make sense of learning.Practice and reflect.Extend and apply.Interested in learning how our consultants can make an impact on your School, District, or Program? Click hereLearn how to join our Institute by clicking here 

Our featured guests this week are Dennis Shirley and Andy Hargreaves, authors of "The Age of Identity." In this episode they share their views on education in our modern era, focusing on how identity influences practices and policies. Together, Jim, Andy, and Dennis discuss the connections between culture, technology, and societal changes, considering what it means for educators globally. Tune in to this conversation about the role of identity in education.Curious how to gain insight into coaching as an administrator, clicking here. To learn more about the Paris Institute and how to attend, click here. 

"If teachers have areas in which they can be developed, instructional coaches have the coaching program in our district, and leaders and aspiring leaders have ways to learn - what if we created a way for facilitators to learn? Because whoever is facilitating all of that learning, they need to be poured into as well. They need to be developed, too." - Dr. Jessica WiseHello and welcome back to our monthly Coaching Questions episode, where we dive deep into the world of coaching and education. I'm your host, Jim Knight, and I'm thrilled to be joined once again by ICG consultant, Dr. Jessica Wise.This week, we celebrate a significant milestone in Jessica's journey – her doctoral accomplishment in the field of education. It's a momentous occasion that deserves recognition, and we couldn't be more excited to share in her success.Jessica's doctoral research encompassed human focus facilitation. In our conversation, she discusses what it means to be more focused on the humans and less focused on the presentation. Listen in as Jessica shares the four ways to prioritize your learners and ensure meaningful professional development experiences where they feel refreshed, rejuvenated, and empowered.I'd love to hear your feedback about my weekly Coaching Conversations. Please consider leaving a rating or review and subscribing to our channel.  Keep up to date with everything ICG by signing up to our newsletter by clicking here. To learn more about the Paris Institute and how to attend, click here.

Hello, and Welcome to Coaching Conversations, where we explore the transformative power of coaching in education. I'm Jim Knight, your host, and today I'm thrilled to have Mariah Rankine-Landers, EdM, join me for an inspiring discussion.Mariah is a visionary educator who challenges the status quo and advocates for the integration of contemporary arts into the educational system. Her passion lies in redefining the purpose of education, placing the role of artists at the forefront of nurturing imagination, innovation, and critical thinking in young minds.With a firm belief that tending to our hearts and embracing the arts can dismantle oppressive systems in schools, Mariah leads with love and conviction. As the co-founder of Rise Up! An American Curriculum, inspired by the musical "Hamilton," she is on a mission to revolutionize teaching and learning through creative inquiry.In our conversation today, Mariah will share her insights on how to cultivate environments where students can fully bloom and thrive. We'll explore the transformative potential of integrating the arts into education and how it can shape attitudes, assumptions, and patterns of knowing for both teachers and students.Please join us as we dive into Mariah's journey as a catalyst for change in education. This episode promises to be enlightening, inspiring, and filled with actionable strategies for educators looking to create sanctuaries of learning where all students can flourish.I'd love to hear your feedback about my weekly Coaching Conversations. Please consider leaving a rating or review and subscribing to our channel.  To learn how our 16 week Instructional institute can make an impact on your teaching or district, click here. To learn more about the Paris Institute and how to attend, click here. 

Welcome to Coaching Conversations, where we explore innovative approaches to teaching and learning. Today I have the pleasure of speaking with my dear friend and extraordinary voice in education, Carol Tomlinson. I'm your host, Jim Knight, and I'm excited to bring you insights from the forefront of education.With a focus on curriculum, differentiated instruction, and formative assessment, Carol’s  work at the University of Virginia has always aimed to empower classroom teachers to enhance the learning experiences of diverse learners. Through over 300 publications, including bestselling books like How to Differentiate Instruction in Academically Diverse Classrooms and The Differentiated Classroom, Carol has strived to provide practical strategies for educators worldwide.Named Outstanding Professor at UVA's School of Education and recognized as #12 in the Education Week Edu-Scholar Public Presence Rankings, my commitment to advancing educational discourse remains steadfast. Whether it's through her writing or collaborations with educators nationally and internationally, Carol’s goal is to foster learner-centered classrooms where every student can thrive.Join me on Coaching Conversations as we delve into the principles and practices of differentiation, formative assessment, and creating inclusive learning environments. Whether you're a teacher, a school leader, or simply passionate about education, this podcast is your resource for transformative ideas and actionable strategies.Tune in as we embark on a journey to elevate teaching and learning for all students. I'd love to hear your feedback about my weekly Coaching Conversations. Please consider leaving a rating or review and subscribing to our channel.  To learn more about our Instructional Coaching Institute and how to attend, click here. To learn how to join out System Support: What Administrators need to know virtual workshop, click here. 

Welcome back to Coaching Conversations, where we delve into the world of education, leadership, and personal growth. I'm your host, Jim Knight, and today, I'm thrilled to bring you a dynamic duo from the Crowther Centre: Dr. Ray Swann and Dr. Mark Dowley.Dr. Ray Swann, the Head of the Crowther Centre, brings a wealth of experience in education and well-being programs. With a background in medical education and a passion for evidence-informed practice, Ray has made significant strides in educational leadership. From being recognized as a national Top 50 educator to hosting the popular Understanding Boys podcast, Ray's insights are invaluable. He's also a sought-after consultant in identity performance coaching, particularly for medical trainees facing the daunting residency interview process.Joining Ray is Dr. Mark Dowley, the Associate Head of Staff Development and Instruction at the Crowther Centre. Mark's expertise lies in driving school improvement through enhancing instructional quality. With accolades from VCAA and The Educator Magazine, Mark's impact on teaching and professional learning is undeniable. As a certified Instructional Coach and an Adjunct Lecturer at La Trobe University, Mark's contributions to coaching and staff development are exemplary.In this episode, Dr. Ray Swann and Dr. Mark Dowley discuss effective coaching programs, focusing on improving classroom instruction. They emphasize the integral role of instructional coaching in enhancing human performance, echoing Atul Gawande's view. Ray and Mark highlight their journey in developing an instructional playbook for excellent instruction and achieving widespread implementation of coaching with positive outcomes.Stay tuned for Coaching Conversations, where every discussion brings new perspectives and actionable strategies for success.I'd love to hear your feedback about my weekly Coaching Conversations. Please consider leaving a rating or review and subscribing to our channel.  To learn more about the Paris Institute and how to attend, click here. To learn how Better Conversations can have an impact on your daily life, click here.