Multipliers, as Liz Wiseman identified ("Multipliers - How the Best Leaders Make Everyone Smarter") don't simply recognize talent—they help it grow and spread. Perhaps that's one of the most important roles of an instructional coach. Rather than identifying what teachers are missing, coaches are on the prowl for the capabilities that are already emerging. Noticing them, naming them and creating opportunities for those talents to become even more powerful and, ultimately, benefit colleagues and students beyond a single classroom. Watch the Positive Psychology in Coaching and Professional Practices video (from Growth Coaching International) here. Subscribe to the Steve Barkley Ponders Out Loud podcast on iTunes or visit BarkleyPD.com to find new episodes!

Teacher to teacher conversations are powerful when they expose us to perspectives we would not generate on our own. Left to ourselves, we tend to revisit familiar assumptions, interpretations, and solutions. We think within the boundaries of our current mental models. Dialogue creates the opportunity for those mental models to be challenged, refined, or expanded. How do instructional coaches, teacher leaders, and administrators support those dialogues? Listen to Naquin’s podcast, "What educators should know when talking with one another" here. Subscribe to the Steve Barkley Ponders Out Loud podcast on iTunes or visit BarkleyPD.com to find new episodes!

Michael Hernandez, the author of, "Storytelling With Purpose: Digital Projects to Ignite Student Curiosity" and "The Uncheatable Assessment Course," shares insights on authentic learning. How can we create learning tasks and assessments that encourage and strengthen students' curiosity - supporting them in becoming engaged and inquisitive scholars and citizens. Read Michael's article, When Assignments Invite Wonder here. Find his book, "Storytelling With Purpose: Digital Projects to Ignite Student Curiosity" here. Find the Uncheatable Assessments Course here.  Contact Michael: LinkedIn | Instagram | [email protected] Subscribe to the Steve Barkley Ponders Out Loud podcast on iTunes or visit BarkleyPD.com to find new episodes!

"It’s time to treat curiosity as the superpower it is. We can build students’ ability to use this learning power by giving them the tools, time, and encouragement to wield it effectively." Dr. Teresa Hill, the superintendent of South Holland Schools in Illinois and the author of, "The Instructional Leaders Guide to Closing Achievement Gaps: Five Keys for Improving Student Outcomes," highlights the “why and how” to empower learning with curiosity. Curiosity is a key to her motto, "All children can learn….. Period." Read Dr. Hill's ASCD article, "Curiosity Is a Superpower" here. Find Dr. Hill on LinkedIn here. Subscribe to the Steve Barkley Ponders Out Loud podcast on iTunes or visit BarkleyPD.com to find new episodes!

Leadership coach for educators and business leaders, Julie Schniers, shares her insights around coaching others to create opportunities for growth, self- discovery, increased confidence, and a focus to accomplish their goals. She focusses on the importance of communication, connections, and confidence. Coaching curiosity is a key. Visit Julie's website and connect here.     Subscribe to the Steve Barkley Ponders Out Loud podcast on iTunes or visit BarkleyPD.com to find new episodes!

Keith Young, a co-author of, "The Teaching Strategy Handbook: 200+ Solutions for Common Classroom Challenges," explores the strategies from the book’s Chapter 8, "Teacher Burnout and Stress." Keith shares the practices individual teachers can implement as well as the roles that teacher leaders, instructional coaches and administrators can play in support of teachers. The impact that effective PLCs can play is highlighted. Coaches can support teachers in exploring “circles of influence” as a way of focusing energy investment. Having options addressed throughout "The Teaching Strategy Handbook" support teacher wellbeing. Listen to Keith’s earlier podcast, "Observing and Coaching Classroom Management" here.  Visit Keith's website and get in touch here.  Subscribe to the Steve Barkley Ponders Out Loud podcast on iTunes or visit BarkleyPD.com to find new episodes!

It’s rather clear to most people that to be an effective coach one needs an appropriate mindset for investing in the growth of others and a set of listening and verbal skills for coaching conferencing. Less often considered are the mindsets and skills needed to gain from coaching input. We might label it as one’s coachability. Robyn Vierra, the Teaching and Learning Coordinator at the American School in New Delhi, shares her experiences with being coached. Consider your coachability as you hear Robyn’s story. Connect with Robyn: [email protected] Find the Instructional Coaching Micro-Credential Program here. Subscribe to the Steve Barkley Ponders Out Loud podcast on iTunes or visit BarkleyPD.com to find new episodes!

Tania Lattanzio from Innovative Global Education examines the impact of real objects and the real environment on student learning: When real objects and real environments are the starting point: Curiosity leads the learning. Questioning feels purposeful. Wonder is protected. Understanding grows from evidence. It communicates that learning is not about receiving information, but about making sense of the world. Honoring students as thinkers. Visit the Innovative Global Education website and connect with Tania here. Subscribe to the Steve Barkley Ponders Out Loud podcast on iTunes or visit BarkleyPD.com to find new episodes!

Roney Nascimento, an IB Diploma Mathematics Teacher and AI solutions developer describes his response to this insight. "Teachers weren’t avoiding AI because they didn’t understand it. They were avoiding it because they didn’t trust it or trust themselves to use it responsibly. They were skeptical and wary."   Gain insights for your professional learning design both in and out of technology adoption. Read Roney's ASCD article here. Find Roney's book, "Generative AI for Teachers: A Practical Guide to Educational Technology" here. Subscribe to the Steve Barkley Ponders Out Loud podcast on iTunes or visit BarkleyPD.com to find new episodes!

Have you heard this from school leaders? “We invested heavily in this new curricular program. Teachers were invited to give input during the decision-making process. Resources were purchased. Training was completed. Expectations were communicated. We all want greater consistency across classrooms and stronger outcomes for students. So why aren’t teachers implementing the program with fidelity?” Fidelity to purpose that engages teachers as professional partners is likely necessary. Subscribe to the Steve Barkley Ponders Out Loud podcast on iTunes or visit BarkleyPD.com to find new episodes!