Instructional Coaching with Ms. B

Ready for some fun? I’m hanging out with my coaching besties, handing out yearbook-style superlatives to our favorite coaching strategies! This week, I’m chatting with Gretchen Bridgers of Always a Lesson and Nicole S. Turner of Simply Coaching about our go-to coaching strategies. We dig into the approaches that make the biggest impact with teachers, those that bring teams together during PLCs, an...

Is the thought of a six-week coaching cycle sending your teachers running away screaming? It may be spooky season, but we shouldn’t be frightening teachers away from coaching! In this episode, we explore a practical approach to coaching using mini coaching cycles and high-impact strategies. I break down how mini coaching cycles can create a big impact without the stress of longer cycles. You’ll le...

Coaching is so much more than coaching cycles! It’s messy and chaotic most of the time! In this episode, we’re examining the real life of an instructional coach: beyond the coaching cycle. We’re looking at what the day-to-day life of a coach really looks like, from juggling PLC meetings and covering lunch duty to all those “other duties as assigned.” I share three powerful mindset shifts that have...

If the traditional coaching cycle isn’t working at your school, you’re not alone! In this episode, I break down some of the challenges that keep coaches from completing lengthy coaching cycles and give you suggestions for what to try instead. You’ll learn how to recognize coaching opportunities in everyday conversations and turn brief interactions into future coaching work. Plus, I share why coach...

Imagine a team meeting where every teacher leaves with a new strategy they’re excited to try the next day! Kurtis Hewson of Jigsaw Learning joins me to discuss the collaborative team response, an actionable, solution-focused approach to professional development. We explore the four layers of schoolwide collaboration and how they fit together. Kurtis shares his structure for collaborative team meet...

We don’t need professional development (PD) that checks boxes. We need PD that turns into real learning! Today, Toni Rose Deanon of Modern Classrooms Project is here to share ideas for creating professional learning (PL) experiences that are meaningful, engaging, and lead to learning! During the episode, Toni Rose discusses their work with educators through Modern Classrooms Project. They share th...

We’ve all sat through those boring professional development sessions that leave us uninspired, and maybe a little sleepy too! But what if we could make PD more engaging and exciting for teachers? That’s exactly what I’m talking about today with instructional coach Jessica Whittaker. During the episode, Jessica highlights the types of PD topics teachers really enjoy and shares her behind-the-scenes...

How do you build teacher expertise? In this episode, math coach Desi Klassen joins me to talk about how to develop teacher skill. We explore the difference between knowledge and skill, why so many traditional PD approaches fail, and what to do instead. Desi shares how she uses the gradual release model to shift responsibility to teachers (I do, We do, You do). Plus, learn how to build trust with t...

Today, Michelle Ruhe, founder of Coach from the Couch, joins me to unpack how to build teacher knowledge. We talk about practical strategies for building knowledge through coaching cycles and informal hallway chats, as well as how to identify priorities for schoolwide PD. You’ll learn about the types of knowledge coaches can build, from content to assessment. Plus, Michelle explains how she develo...

Not sure where to focus your coaching work this school year to really move the needle? You’re in the right place! In this episode, author and teacher Dave Stuart Jr. joins me to unpack the 6 things teachers need to focus on in their practice. We chat about student motivation, knowledge building, argumentation, and literacy moves (reading, writing, speaking/listening). You’ll learn about the 5 key...

Before teachers can work with you, they need to know who you are and how you can support them. So how do you make that first meeting count? Today I'm breaking down how to plan a Coffee with the Coach event to introduce yourself and your coaching role. We explore why this type of event matters and what to consider before you start planning. I give you a few different options for logistics so you ca...

How many hours do you spend each week crafting the perfect coaching newsletter, only for it to disappear into the abyss of teachers’ inboxes? If you’re tired of writing newsletters that don’t lead to meaningful coaching work, this episode is a must-listen! Today, author and educator Jeffrey Bradbury joins me to talk about turning your instructional coaching newsletter into coaching conversations....

What do dinosaurs and instructional coaches have in common? Listen to find out! Today we’re digging into the 6 foundational principles of instructional coaching. Discover why it’s important to coach all teachers, not just those who are struggling. You’ll hear how to get clear on your role and differentiate your coaching support to meet teachers’ individual needs. We talk about practical ways to gi...

You got the coaching job. Now what? Landing the position is only the beginning. Truth is, most of us aren’t handed a roadmap for what to do next. We’re expected to lead, make decisions, and build relationships, usually with little to no guidance. Like many coaches, I had no idea what I was doing when I stepped into my first coaching role! I had to build the plane as I was flying it! In this episod...

Imagine if coaching made teachers feel seen and celebrated instead of judged! That’s exactly what strengths-based coaching is all about: shifting the focus from what’s missing to what’s working. In this episode, education consultant Steve Barkley joins me to discuss strengths-based coaching, sharing real-life examples and insights from his decades of experience in education. He explains why teache...

What if instructional coaching wasn’t about “fixing” teachers, but about helping them think more deeply and discover their own solutions? Today, I sat down with Mary Bouley to discuss Cognitive Coaching, a framework that develops teacher self-directedness through reflective conversations. She gives us a brief introduction to Cognitive Coaching and explains how it’s different from other coaching ap...

What if instructional coaching focused less on what teachers do and more on what students learn? In this episode, renowned author Diane Sweeney shares how Student-Centered Coaching helps educators shift focus from teacher actions to student learning. This episode breaks down what sets Student-Centered Coaching apart from other models, why real partnerships matter, and how focusing on students impa...

Tired of dusty data binders and wasted meeting time? Want strategies and tips for using data effectively? You're in the right place! In this episode, Jessica Lane and Jenelle McClenahen of Symplifyed join me to discuss how we can move beyond collecting data and use it to support learning without overwhelming teachers. We explore what types of data teachers need to collect and what to ignore. They...

Today, bestselling author Glen Pearsall joins me to talk about formative assessments: quick and easy check-ins that offer valuable insights into student learning. We discuss what distinguishes formative assessment from other types of assessment, as well as common misconceptions. Glen shares fast, effective formative assessment tools, including Traffic Lights and Fist-to-Five. You’ll hear how teach...

Looking for an introduction to different types of assessments? On this episode, the amazing Steve Ventura joins me to talk all about assessments and data. We discuss the differences between formative, benchmark, and summative assessments. You’ll learn how instructional coaches can support teachers in the creation of rigorous, standards-aligned assessments. Steve shares the five learning strategy b...

This week, we’re kicking off a new series about supporting better assessments . In our first episode, we examine how required lesson plans can support checks for understanding, and there’s no one I’d rather discuss this topic with than Dr. Jana Lee. During the episode, Dr. Lee and I explore the connection between lesson planning and assessment. We examine why lesson plans should be submitted to ad...

There are ways schools can use technology to deepen the learning process, but sometimes it’s used more like a babysitter than a learning tool! Today, I’m joined by education leader Stephanie Howell for an exciting episode about technology in schools. Stephanie explains what the research tells us about extensive technology in the classroom. She gives us strategies for supporting teachers as they in...

Uncertified teachers don’t have the same foundational knowledge as traditionally trained teachers, and that can be a huge challenge. But don’t worry, I brought one of my favorite guests, coach and author Lindsay Deacon, to help us dive into what the research says about this important topic. We discuss the typical background of uncertified teachers and why we’re seeing more of them in classrooms. Y...

What does social justice actually look like in real classrooms? Today, Rachael Lucille, School Program Specialist at Little Justice Leaders, joins me to discuss what social justice work can look like at different grade levels. She defines social justice and helps us explore its core principles. We share stories about our own children and how we approach age-appropriate conversations about equity a...

Ever walked into a classroom and felt an invisible wall go up? You’re not alone. Teacher resistance is one of the biggest hurdles coaches face, and overcoming it starts with you! In this episode, I share the first step to take when coaching resistant teachers. You’ll learn how to spot signs of resistance and identify common reasons teachers put up walls. I walk you through a practical reflection e...