Instructional Coaching with Ms. B

We all want to help our teachers find more happiness in teaching, but it’s difficult knowing exactly how to make that happen when everything feels so hard. That’s why I’m so excited to sit down with Kim Strobel, motivational speaker, educator, and author, to discuss helping teachers find the joy in teaching. Kim tells us how she got interested in researching joy and well-being. She breaks down the...

Looking for simple and meaningful ways to lift teachers’ spirits all year long? In this episode, we’re talking all about monthly morale boosters for teachers that really work! I’m sharing practical strategies to help you infuse joy, even during the toughest school year. You’ll get a month-by-month guide packed with easy ways to show teachers they’re valued, from handwritten welcome notes to trail...

Do you ever wonder why some teachers avoid coaching, while others jump in with both feet? In this episode, I’m joined by Nicole S. Turner, founder of Simply Coaching, for an inspiring discussion about coaching culture and the four types of teachers: believers, tweeners, survivors, and fundamentalists. You’ll hear how to build a coaching culture and why it matters. Nicole shares strategies for addr...

How can the school leadership team (SLT) support a positive coaching culture on campus? Today, Dr. Christy Lamb joins me to discuss how coaching culture starts with the leadership team. She explains the purpose of the school leadership team and who might be on it. We explore what a school with a positive coaching culture looks like in real life and how the leadership team can support it. Dr. Lamb...

Setting norms with your PLC teams makes them more effective! When people know what’s expected of them, they perform better. In this episode, I share a module from The Confident Literacy Coach course on creating norms and agreements with teacher teams. You'll learn a step-by-step process for developing norms and actionable ways your team can hold each other accountable during meetings. Plus, I incl...

When we talk about starting PLC meetings, special education teachers are often treated as an afterthought. That needs to stop! In this episode, author Julie A. Schmidt joins me to discuss how to include special education teachers in PLC and team meetings. We address the reasons special educators are often left out of meetings, and she shares ways to break down these barriers! You’ll learn about th...

How can coaches support mindset shifts in their teacher teams? Today, Connie Hamilton joins me to discuss this important topic. We talk about cultivating a growth mindset in PLCs, managing diverse teams, and making data more meaningful. You’ll hear about the power of classroom visits and why it’s important to celebrate small wins. Connie also explains how coaches can shift from deficit thinking to...

What is collective efficacy for PLC teams? In this episode, Dr. Shannon LaFargue of Bullseye Education joins me to discuss collective teacher efficacy (CTE). He explains what collective efficacy is and why it matters for student achievement. During the episode, Dr. LaFargue breaks down the DNA double helix metaphor for teacher growth. You’ll also hear how to foster a culture of collective teacher...

Teacher teams not in sync? Don’t miss this episode! It can be really difficult if your teacher teams aren’t on the same page! In this episode, we’re breaking down 5 things to do if your teacher teams aren't aligned. You’ll hear how to recognize when a team is out of alignment and how to fix it. I share 5 simple strategies to improve your teacher teams, even if you’re just getting started. Discover...

Wondering how to plan a Family Literacy Night for your elementary school? In this episode, I share my best tips for a fun and engaging event. I offer examples of things I’ve done at my school and what a Family Literacy Night could look like on your campus. You’ll get ideas for choosing a purpose and theme. I give you strategies for getting sponsors, staffing the event, preparing the stations, orga...

What does it take to be a really great coach? If you’ve ever wondered which traits matter most, this episode is for you! I break down the 7 qualities of a great instructional coach. I also share my experiences transitioning from the classroom to coaching, including how my strengths as a teacher had to evolve to fit my new role. Whether you're a new coach or an experienced pro, this episode will he...

What are the books every instructional coach should read? In this episode, I’m sharing my favorite books about instructional coaching! I reveal my top seven coaching book recommendations, why I love each one, and how they helped me become a better coach. Listen to learn how these books can support your coaching work on campus! -Chrissy Beltran Buzzing with Ms. B Instagram - https://www.instagram.c...

Season 7 is here! To kick things off, we’re talking all about coaching through the seasons! I think we can all agree that coaching looks much different in the fall than it does in the spring! In this episode, we’re exploring how our roles as coaches shift throughout the school year and what it really means to coach through the seasons. I share how to respond to shifting teachers’ needs on campus a...

Today, we’re discussing five high-impact coaching strategies that make change happen in the classroom! During the episode, I outline the key characteristics of high-level coaching work. I provide an overview of the five high-impact instructional coaching strategies: visiting a colleague, classroom visit, modeling, co-teaching, and video coaching. I also review the three parts of a coaching cycle:...

Teachers are struggling to keep up with all the changes and challenges in education. Instructional coaches don't want to be one more thing for teachers to worry about. This makes some coaches reluctant to visit classrooms and coach, but the truth is teachers need us now more than ever. In this episode, I share my top four tips for coaching overwhelmed teachers. Listen to my suggestions for shiftin...

When teachers ask for coaching support, they are more likely to be invested in the results. So how can you get teachers to initiate coaching cycles? On this episode, I explain how to create a coaching culture that encourages teachers to ask for the support they need. I share ideas for getting teachers to initiate coaching cycles. This episode is for you if you want practical strategies that engage...

The first 20 days of coaching are crucial for setting the stage for a successful school year. In this episode, I give you a step-by-step plan for your first 4 weeks on campus. You’ll learn what to do each week to get to know your staff, build relationships, and provide instructional coaching support. I also share some resources to help you get started. If you're looking for beginning of the year c...

One of my sources of stress as an instructional coach was modeling or co-teaching in classrooms that didn't have good management in place. Over time, I created a simple behavior management plan that helps in these situations. In this episode, I share this proactive approach to classroom management and how to use it as a coach. Listen to get all the details on my simple behavior management plan for...

Hey coaches! The coaching cycle is one of the most effective methods for supporting and growing teachers. This episode breaks down the process for you, one step at a time, so you can implement it right away! Join me in learning about why it's so important to plan together and assign roles, how you can set a goal that the teacher believes in, and what your debriefing conversation should look like!...

Wondering what you should do each month as an instructional coach? This episode is for you! I share a year-long guide to coaching with actionable steps and PD topics for each month. You’ll learn what to do at the beginning of the year and how to create an action plan to support teacher growth. Plus, I explain how my coaching planner can make it easier to stay focused all year long. Whether you're...

We’re wrapping up season 6 with an episode all about troubleshooting your instructional coaching. I break down five common coaching challenges and offer strategies to overcome each one. You’ll get ideas for building relationships, clarifying your role, kickstarting your coaching work, and ensuring your efforts actually stick. Plus, I highlight episodes from the past six seasons to support you as y...

How do you really know if your coaching is making a difference? In this episode, Dr. Jana Lee joins me to discuss evaluating work to provide evidence of instructional coaching effectiveness. We break down the indicators of instructional coaching impact and explore what real coaching success looks like in practice. Dr. Lee offers ideas for gathering both qualitative and quantitative evidence of you...

Looking for a fresh start this January? In this episode, principal and leadership coach Chanavia Patterson joins me to explore a mid-year reset: reintroducing yourself as a coach. She breaks down her powerful RESET framework for school leaders and instructional coaches. You’ll hear how to reframe your leadership mindset, equip your team, structure your time, engage in meaningful feedback, and tack...

In this episode, I share how coaches can use co-teaching to support teachers. You’ll hear about my struggles and breakthroughs as a new coach, plus discover why co-teaching is such a powerful tool for helping teachers make real changes in their classrooms. I walk you through how to plan and execute a co-teaching lesson, from pre-conference planning to post-lesson reflection. You’ll learn how using...

Ever walked out of an observation thinking, “Okay… now what?” Then this episode is for you! In “How to Make Coaching Observations Better,” I share what makes classroom visits truly impactful, plus everything I wish I’d known when I started coaching. You’ll learn why classroom observations matter and how focusing on a clear teacher goal makes your feedback more meaningful. I share best practices fo...