Instructional Coaching with Ms. B

Building a coaching program at a school that’s never had one before is difficult, especially if you’re a brand-new coach. It's hard to envision what the role could look like and what you need to do to get everything set up. In this coaching call episode, I’m talking to special education inclusion coach, Amy Mather about establishing her coaching program. We talk about some of the challenges she’s...

Coach, are you looking for ways to get more organized? Join me as I sit down with Jessica Whittaker from My Teacher Style to talk about organization for instructional coaching. In this episode, Jessica shares how she organizes herself for different aspects of her coaching work. We talk about how she arranged her office, the scheduling tools she uses, and tips for tracking coaching cycle data. Tune...

Instructional coaching schedules are one of those things that look different for every coach. In this episode, we're talking to a panel of three coaches about how they schedule their time. I also share what my coaching schedule looked like when I was on a campus and explain what I did each week. My guests for this episode are David White, Michelle Ruhe, and Lindsay Kasperbaur. I chose these coache...

What are the different roles coaches serve within student-focused coaching? Join me as I talk to Dr. Jan Hasbrouck about this important topic. In this episode, we explore the transformative power of student-centered coaching and discuss this unique approach to supporting educators and students. Discover how this collaborative problem-solving model sets itself apart and the three roles that coaches...

How can you set up a strong foundation for your coaching work? In this episode, I share my favorite tips for building a coaching program. We talk about reviewing data and combining it with input from teachers to set goals. I explain how to create a coaching menu of support. You’ll get tips for defining your coaching role, building relationships, coaching resistant teachers, and more. This episode...

Transitioning from a teacher to an instructional coach is a huge change. In this episode, I share the story of my first day as a new coach and what it was like to change positions. I explain the benefits of becoming an instructional coach and some common challenges. Get tips for defining your coaching role and find out how to use the big 3 to plan your time on campus. You’ll get my best tips for c...

This week Risa Woods is joining me on the podcast to talk about coaching ESL, ELL, or ESOL. During the episode, we discuss all things coaching and teaching English language learners. Risa tells us about her coaching work and why what she does is special. She explains some of the unique challenges she faces and the importance of an asset-based mindset. We discuss the language development processes,...

Teaching early childhood education requires a special skill set and so does coaching it. That’s why I invited Michelle Gonzalez on the show to talk about coaching early childhood. Michelle’s an early childhood special education instructional coach with a specialty in dual language. In this episode, she tells us what it’s like coaching early childhood and shares some common challenges. We discuss s...

Wondering what it’s like to be a specialized coach? In this episode, Crista Smith joins me to talk about her experiences as a traveling special ed coach. She shares tips for coaching teachers in multiple schools and districts. During the episode, Crista emphasizes the importance of building relationships with teachers, being intentional with her time, and prioritizing important conversations. We d...

How do you know if your coaching work is making an impact? You evaluate it! In this coaching call episode, I sit down with reading coach Diane Farlett to discuss strategies for evaluating coaching work. We talk about going on a school-wide learning walk to collect data and set goals. You'll get ideas for collecting teacher feedback, using peer observations, and offering a coaching menu when follow...

The end of the year is a busy time for coaches. There’s a lot to do and not much time to do it. In this episode, I share six things coaches should do to wrap up the year. You’ll get tips for debriefing with teachers and recommendations for preparing for an end-of-year conversation with your administration. Learn what to put in your end-of-year folder so you’re ready to go when school starts in the...

Instructional coaches get asked to do a lot of random things, from covering classes to attending meetings. Most of it has nothing to do with coaching. When schools are short-staffed or have tasks that need to be done, instructional coaches are asked to fill in. The challenge with this is that every time you do one of these other things, you're not doing your coaching work. In this episode, I’m sha...

The end of the school year is the perfect time to reflect on your coaching impact. In this episode, Cory Camp, Director of Professional Learning for Sibme, joins me to talk about how to evaluate your coaching work. She shares ideas for evaluating your coaching work, gathering feedback from teachers, and talking to administration about your findings. Cory also explains how she uses the Sibme platfo...

Sometimes we get to the end of a week of coaching, and we can't even figure out where all our time went. We've been busy but we haven't checked off as many items on our to-do list as we'd like because we've been pulled to do other things. On episode 143 of Buzzing with Ms. B: The Coaching Podcast, Krissy Ogletree Edwards joins me to share a free way to track your time using Google Sheets and Googl...

It's not easy being a first-year instructional coach in a school that’s never had one before. Add to that being the only coach on campus and you've got the challenging situation my guest Marianne Domico finds herself in this year. Listen in on this coaching call episode as we talk about how to communicate with teachers, defining your coaching role, strategies to support teachers at different level...

Words really do matter, especially when it comes to coaching teachers. In this episode, I'm talking to Jessica Vance of Leading with Inquiry about the words we use and how they influence teachers. We discuss the importance of approaching coaching with curiosity and using open-ended questions and provocations to spark new ways of thinking. Learn how to use language to help teachers get invested in...

Are you an instructional coach looking to improve your communication skills? In this episode, I'm talking to Nicole S. Turner, CEO and founder of Simply Coaching & Teaching, about improving our communication with teachers. During the show, she shares tips on communicating effectively, using video to provide feedback, and how coaches can clarify misunderstandings with teachers. Nicole also gives he...

Do you have questions about the Confident Literacy Coach? In this bonus episode of The Coaching Podcast, I answer frequently asked questions to help you decide if the course is right for you. I also share an overview of the course and details on the updated reading and writing modules. The Confident Literacy Coach course is open right now. Don't want to miss your chance to join! Listen now to lear...

Do you want to have more meaningful conversations with teachers? In Episode 139, I talk with Arthur Aguirre, Ph. D. of Inviting Difference about having better coaching conversations. We chat about embracing differences, developing listening skills, and asking open-ended questions. He also discusses being present, the power of silence, and the importance of coaching the whole person. Tune in now to...

In this episode, we’re talking to Kristi Rice about how taking The Confident Literacy Coach impacted her coaching work. Kristi shares what it was like being the first coach at her school and how the course helped her take her coaching work to the next level. You don’t want to miss out on this inspiring conversation. Tune in now to learn how this course can help you too! Be sure to sign up for The...

As an instructional coach, having the ability to communicate effectively is critical to your success. In this episode, I share a lesson about communicating with school administrators from my course, The Confident Literacy Coach. You'll get ideas for how to plan and talk with your principal. I also give you tips for discussing your role and ways to word your requests so that you get a yes! This epi...

Developing and nurturing relationships is the foundation of successful coaching. In this coaching call, I talk with instructional coach Katie Jones about how to build relationships and increase confidence when working with teachers. We discuss the importance of reflecting on what went well each week, shifting your mindset, and getting teachers to open up about their struggles. You'll get tips for...

There will always be teachers with different ideas and approaches to learning than ours. As instructional coaches, it's our job to empower them to reach their fullest potential - even if they don't think the same way we do! In this episode, Ashley Hubner joins me to talk about coaching teachers who don't think like you. We cover building relationships, creating a common language, and being a safe...

Building relationships in a toxic environment isn't easy! In this episode, I talk to early literacy coach and TpT resource creator Leah Ruesink about how to create meaningful relationships with teachers in negative school environments. We discuss what a toxic school environment looks like, how to clearly define your role, and mistakes coaches make that can harm their relationships with teachers. S...

Are you an instructional coach struggling to build relationships with resistant teachers? We all know how challenging it can be to reach them and stay positive. In this episode, Allison Petersen of #NewtoCoaching joins me to talk about building relationships with teachers who are resistant. She explains why it’s essential to give relationships time to grow, how to use small moments to connect with...