Coaching Conversations with Jim Knight

In this podcast episode, I sit down with my long-time friend Tricia, who has journeyed from a middle school teacher to a recognized authority in instructional coaching and classroom management. Over our 23 years of friendship, I’ve witnessed her transformation firsthand. We dive into Tricia’s initial doubts about behavior management and how her perspective shifted through her work with the CHAMPS...

In this episode, Jim welcomes Julie Stern to discuss curriculum design, the transfer of learning, and conceptual understanding in education. Julie Stern is passionate about civic education and curriculum design, emphasizing helping students apply classroom learning to real-world situations. In the conversation, Julie introduces the A.C.T. model—Acquire, Connect, Transfer—as a framework for teachin...

In this podcast episode, Mileva Tubbs, Program Coordinator of Operations at Como Secondary College in Perth, shares the journey of her instructional coaching program. She candidly discusses the hurdles she faced, like data collection issues and coach turnover, and underscores the critical role of the partnership principles. Mileva also delves into a research study that evaluated the program, highl...

Welcome to this episode of "Coaching Conversations"! I’m excited to dive into a critical topic: resistance and reluctance among teachers in the realm of instructional coaching. Together with Jessica Weiss, we unpack where this resistance often originates—often rooted in past negative experiences or a sense that new initiatives lack real value.  Jessica highlights a vital truth: effective...

In this episode of "Coaching Conversations," I welcome back Christian van Nieuwerburgh, a longtime friend and colleague. Together, we discuss the impact of reflective practice on personal growth. Christian’s journey along Route 66 serves as a powerful metaphor for the coaching process, highlighting the importance of reflection, anticipation, and embracing life’s ups and downs.  In this c...

In this episode of "Coaching Conversations," I’m thrilled to sit down with Dr. Nathan Lang-Raad, TLC 2024 presenter, to dive into the exciting intersection of artificial intelligence and education. As a leading voice in instructional coaching and AI, Dr. Lang-Raad brings invaluable insights into how we can harness AI to elevate our coaching practices and support teachers effectively. Our...

In this episode of "Coaching Conversations," Jim Knight and TLC 2024 presenter, Lisa Lande from the Quaglia Institute for School Voice and Aspirations, explore the significance of student and teacher voices in education.  Lisa emphasizes that students inherently have a voice, and the focus should be on creating supportive conditions for them to express it. Jim and Lisa also discuss the i...

In this episode of "Coaching Conversations," TLC 2024 presenter Dr. Courtney Teague, a seasoned educator and coach, shares her philosophy centered on authenticity, empathy, and innovation in coaching. Dr. Teague highlights the significance of listening and creating "brave spaces" for clients, emphasizing that conflict can serve as a powerful catalyst for personal and profession...

As the new school year begins, the dynamic between instructional coaches and school administrators is key to a successful academic experience. In this episode of “Coaching Conversations,” Jessica Wise and I explore how to cultivate this essential partnership. We cover the critical aspects of effective communication, collaboration, and the conditions needed for a thriving coaching program. Key Take...

In episode 90 of Coaching Conversations, Jim chats with Margaret Wheatley, renowned author of books like *Leadership and the New Science* and *Who Do We Choose To Be*. They explore deep topics such as leadership, community, and personal responsibility. Margaret emphasizes the importance of generosity for building strong teams and communities and discusses how understanding the six stages of civili...

In this episode of the "Coaching Conversations" podcast, I enjoy a conversation with instructional coach Melanie Matthews Calhoun as she shares her journey and strategies for overcoming challenges in coaching, particularly with resistant teachers. Melanie emphasizes the importance of building relationships, understanding the sources of resistance, and employing effective communication. S...

In this episode of "Coaching Conversations," Jenni Donohoo and I discuss the power of collective efficacy in education. In our conversation we explored how collective efficacy, defined as the shared belief among educators in their collective ability to positively impact student learning, significantly enhances student achievement and teacher motivation. We talk about strategies for foste...

In the latest episode of the Coaching Conversations podcast, Jessica Weiss and I announce our new book, “The IC Toolkit.” This episode is filled with insights for instructional coaches, administrators, and educators dedicated to professional growth. We introduce the toolkit and discuss the profound impact of coaching on educators and students. I emphasize that coaching is about people and relation...

In this episode of “Coaching Conversations,” I had the pleasure of discussing the exciting merger between the Instructional Coaching Group (ICG) and Growth Coaching International (GCI) with John from GCI. We delved into the evolution of instructional coaching and explored the numerous benefits that our partnership can bring. We emphasized the importance of maintaining a student-centric approach, w...

In this episode, I had the privilege of speaking with Chris Emdin, a transformative figure in education known for his innovative approaches that integrate hip-hop culture into learning. Here are the key points from our conversation: Personal Journey : Chris shared his experiences growing up in New York City and attending Brooklyn Tech, where he often felt pressured to adopt an identity that didn’t...

In this episode, Jim Knight engages in a heartfelt conversation with Jennifer Hlavka, who shares her journey in education and her passion for teaching. Jennifer reflects on her early experiences in school, highlighting the profound impact her high school in Richmond, Virginia, had on her love for education. She recalls how her teachers were deeply invested in their students, fostering an environme...

In this episode, Jim Knight and Dr. Jessica Wise – fellow hosts of the Coaching Questions podcast, had the opportunity to chat about gearing up for a new school year. As we dive into our discussion, we share our own experiences and thoughts on how coaches can effectively invest in their professional development over the summer while also taking time to recharge. Key topics include: Setting Expecta...

In this episode, I had the opportunity to have an insightful conversation with TLC 2024 breakout presenters John Campbell and Christ Munro who are leading experts in the field of educational coaching and leadership development.  They have collaborated on various projects and publications, including their upcoming book "Growth Talk: Brief Conversations – Big Impact," which dives into thei...

This podcast features a conversation with TLC 2024 presenter Trent Hall, a facilitator, sociologist, and communication expert who focuses on helping people "human better" and lean into our collective humanity. The discussion covers several key topics related to effective communication, coaching, and building connections: Reflective listening techniques and the importance of listening to...

In this episode of Coaching Conversations, I had the pleasure of speaking with Dr. Andrea Honigsfeld, an expert in language development, collaboration, and co-teaching for dual language learners. Dr. Honigsfeld shared valuable insights and strategies for effective collaboration and partnership in education. Our conversation began with Dr. Honigsfeld emphasizing the importance of co-planning with s...

In this episode of the Coaching Conversations podcast, I have the opportunity to sit down with TLC 2024 keynote speaker, Kate Murphy.  Kate is the acclaimed author of You're Not Listening: What You're Missing and Why It Matters , easily the best book on listening I have ever read. During our conversation we speak about the nuances of effective communication, exploring why listening is mo...

In this month's Coaching Q&A episode, a follow-up to Part 1, Jessica Wise and I dive deeper into the journey of instructional coaching. Previously, we explored my early career and curiosity that led to the partnership approach. Now, in Part 2, we unpack the intricate evolution of instructional coaching and the significant milestones that shaped it. Episode Highlights: Jim Knight’s Definit...

During this episode, I had a fascinating conversation with TLC 2024 Keynote Speaker, Dr. Haesun Moon from the University of Toronto. We delved into the concept of scaling in coaching conversations and the importance of focusing on progress rather than deficits.  Dr. Moon shared insights on how to work with clients' progress and the significance of asking the right questions to facilitate thei...

In Episode #76 of the "Coaching Conversations" podcast, I have the opportunity to engage, once again, with Dr. Floyd Cobb and John Krownapple, to discuss the crucial role of dignity in creating equitable and inclusive school environments.   Dr. Floyd Cobb and John Krownapple, co-authors of Belonging Through a Culture of Dignity: The Keys to Successful Equity Implementation , bring their...

This week I welcome Dr. Kim Richardson, a long-time friend, Radical Learners course instructor, 5x TLC presenter, coaching leader in Hampton City Schools in Virginia, and leader of Virginia ASCD.  In this episode, Dr. Richardson dives into critical professional topics such as funding adjustments for coaches and the push for wellness and leadership. She shares practical advice for instructional lea...