Coaching the Whole Educator

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Becca Silver and Dr. Chris Jones shake up the coaching conversation by tackling a common trap: over-reliance on protocols. While structure and frameworks can be helpful, they break down why rigid scripts won’t make you a great coach—and might even hold you back. Chris and Becca debate: The Pros & Cons of Protocols – When they’re useful and when they become a c...

Send us Fan Mail ***Watch the full, unedited YouTube version here .*** What if your go-to PD moves are secretly keeping your teachers stuck?  Dr. Julie Slayton takes a bold stand against the outdated, ineffective professional development (PD) systems that dominate schools today. She calls out the traditional "one-size-fits-all" approach for what it is—a waste of time and money—and demand...

Send us Fan Mail ***Watch the full, unedited YouTube version here .*** Becca and Dr. Chris Jones co-host another episode where they discuss the challenges that come when instructional coaches and school leaders are "naturally gifted" in certain areas. Here are the highlights: The Ladder of Conscious Competence Four stages: Conscious/Unconscious Competence & Incompetence. This can exp...

Send us Fan Mail ***Watch the full, unedited YouTube version here .*** Are you struggling to make coaching more impactful in your school? In this engaging conversation, we welcome Jacy and Rita, two experts in coaching and school improvement, to explore how supporting coaches can lead to meaningful changes in education. They discuss the evolving role of coaching, emphasizing that it’s not just a f...

Send us Fan Mail ***Watch the full, unedited YouTube version here .*** This is the very first episode Dr. Chris Jones (Executive Director of VASCD ) and Becca are co-hosting informal, unplanned conversations where they share their experiences and, sometimes differing, opinions and challenge each other about all things instructional leadership and coaching. These co-hosted episodes aim to disrupt t...

Send us Fan Mail ***Watch the full, unedited YouTube version here .*** Do you feel drained and uninspired at work? Wish you and your team could tap into that feeling of energized accomplishment? This episode explores the Working Genius framework, a tool that reveals your natural strengths and what energizes you. Tami Shaw and I delve into my personal Working Genius profile, highlighting my strengt...

Send us Fan Mail ***Watch the full, unedited YouTube version here .*** Ever feel like your best-intentioned feedback falls flat? Or that some difficult conversations seem to escalate? It's time to rethink our approach. In this episode, we dig into the neuroscience of communication with the incredible Marcia Reynolds. She reveals how our brains respond to difficult conversations and how a coac...

Send us Fan Mail Your school's rewards system could be causing more harm than good. Let's talk about why it's time to look at intrinsic and extrinsic motivators and tap into your teachers' inner drive. Daniel Pink's “ Drive” revealed a truth about adult motivation and unveils what truly fuels our educators.  While we want our educators and students to be motivated intrinsi...

Send us Fan Mail ***Watch the full, unedited YouTube version here .*** Do you often grapple with the challenge of engaging teachers beyond mere compliance? Dr. Chris Jones, Executive Director of the Virginia ASCD, offers some powerful insight using the concept of a Continuum of Teacher Engagement. This framework highlights the importance of moving beyond buy-in to higher levels of ownership and co...

Send us Fan Mail ***Watch the full, unedited YouTube version here .*** Ever wonder how some schools just seem to have it all figured out? It’s not about special circumstances. It’s about the people – the teachers. And according to Dr. Shannon Lafargue, the key to unlocking their full potential lies in fostering a culture of collective teacher efficacy with a strong coaching growth culture. In this...

Send us Fan Mail This is part of our *BEST OF* Series, where we highlight the most downloaded episodes of all time. In this episode, Becca dives into an intriguing conversation with Chanavia Patterson, affectionately known as Principal Patterson, on the powerful concept of "listening for what's not being said" in school culture. Discover the secrets behind understanding underlying m...

Send us Fan Mail ***Watch the full, unedited YouTube version here .*** Do you know the difference between motivation and engagement? Dr. Jason Jones, author of the book "Activator," is on a mission to revolutionize leadership. He's all about applying the latest brain research to create more effective and engaging workplaces. Jones dives deep into the psychology of motivation and eng...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode we explore a fascinating research-based concept called neural entrainment. Think about those times when you're talking to a teacher and it feels like you're on completely different wavelengths. It's highly possible that neural entrainment isn't happening. By understanding how your brain waves work in neural entrainment, you can become a more eff...

Send us Fan Mail ***Watch the full, unedited YouTube version here .*** Ever felt like you're on a hamster wheel, running and running but never getting anywhere? It's time to hit the reset button. Penny Zenker, author of The Reset Mindset , is here to level up the growth mindset approach. It's time for a dynamic, flexible approach that can keep up with our ever-changing day to day in...

Send us Fan Mail Let's talk about change management. As educators, we know that change is a constant. But how can we effectively navigate it and ensure buy-in from our teams? That's where the ADKAR model comes in. It's a framework that helps organizations build momentum and sustain change. ADKAR can help you to drive successful change in your school. Join us as we talk through the A...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Becca and Gretchen Bridgers address the 4th and final phase of resistance in educators, requiring accountability. Becca and Gretchen walk you through specific things to say (and not to say) to help you navigate the hard conversations around keeping educators accountable. This must-hear discussion explains how to first build a trustworthy relationship to make educa...

Send us Fan Mail ***Watch the full, unedited YouTube version here .*** In this episode, Dr. Jacy Ippolito and I discuss a wide range of coaching topics! Here are the key points: Isolation of Coaches and Leaders: Many coaches and leaders feel isolated due to the lack of clear roles and a sense of needing to be the "hero." This isolation can hinder effectiveness. The Coaching Continuum: Th...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Becca and Mia discuss the third level of resistance:  when educators don't feel competent enough to implement the change. They discuss the varying reasons why the resistance happens on this level. In addition, they share strategies on how to build capacity in a building where teachers feel safe and confident to take risks and try new things (including new cha...

Send us Fan Mail Have you ever found yourself caught in the whirlwind of conflict, feeling overwhelmed and unsure of how to navigate the turbulent waters? In this Research Rundown we review the complexities of conflict handling in educational settings. Research points out five primary approaches to conflict.  Listen in to find out your primary styles and to start to identify the main styles of you...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode Becca and Melissa (Mia) Pumo, coach of school leadership and instructional coaches, discuss the 2nd level of resistance: they resist change because they don't trust you. Remember- just because you consider yourself trustworthy, doesn't mean they trust you. Without trust, no amount of clarifying expectations and holding teachers accountable will help. A la...

Send us Fan Mail ***Watch the full, unedited YouTube version here .*** Ever feel overwhelmed by your coaching load? Feeling lost and unsure where to start? You're not alone. In this episode we chat with Jeff Bradbury and he gets it!  We discuss the importance of having a system in place to streamline your tasks and boost your coaching effectiveness. We highlight the challenges coaches face in...

Send us Fan Mail Becca and Mia Pumo kick off a 4 part series on how to address resistance utilizing a 4 part framework. In this episode, they dive into the first level of resistance: when educators resist because they don't understand why the change is happening.  Often, leaders are connected to why change is happening and it is assumed that teachers are connected to that why as well. Becca a...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, I'm diving deep into the world of motivation theories. We'll explore Self-Determination Theory and Basic Desires Theory, two powerful frameworks introduces the concept of 16 fundamental desires that shape our actions. There are some unexpected motivations shared! Get ready to gain a deeper understanding of motivation and learn how to apply these theories...

Send us Fan Mail Have you ever felt like someone was saying one thing, but their body was telling a completely different story? That’s the power of nonverbal communication. Veronica Love Olalla, CEO of Newfield Network, discusses what we intend to say and what our bodies actually broadcast. Our bodies are the front lines of communication. It's not just about what you say, but how you say it –...

Send us Fan Mail BEGINNING OF YEAR SPECIAL **25% Off Discount** " Breaking Through Resistance and Building Buy-In Can you believe it? One hundred episodes of in-depth knowledge on how best to reach YOUR teachers! This episode is a little different. We're taking a victory lap through some of MY favorite moments from the past hundred episodes. We're talking GROWTH MINDSET gold, the po...