Instructional Coaching with Ms. B

We can get students more engaged in the classroom if we customize their learning experiences. In this episode, Dr. Shaime Cortes joins me to discuss using differentiation as a support for engagement. We talk about the connection between differentiation and engagement. Dr. Cortes describes the benefits of differentiating instruction and provides examples of what differentiation can look like in the...

In this episode, I share 5 high-impact engagement strategies your teachers will love! These fun and easy strategies promote cognitive engagement and get students involved in their learning. I explain each one and give some examples too. Cognitive engagement is so important for our students' long-term success. Listen now to hear all about the 5 high-impact engagement strategies your students and te...

So, you made it through the door. Now what? In this episode, we’re talking about coaching observations and what to look for while you’re in classrooms! You’ll hear why it’s helpful to focus on one specific student-centered goal during classroom visits. I break down the three main categories to look for during teacher observations: classroom management, student engagement, and instruction. I also e...

Providing clear and concise feedback to teachers during coaching cycles is so important! But a big challenge for many instructional coaches is actually getting to the conversation. On this episode, Alissa Crabtree from Crabtree Coaching Collaborative joins me to discuss providing teacher feedback. We talk about how to schedule these reflective conversations, what they can look like on campus, and...

In this episode, we’re talking about kickstarting your coaching cycles with Allison Petersen from #NewToCoaching. During the conversation, we discuss using instructional coaching cycles to support teachers' individual needs. Using real-life examples, Allison shares ideas for initiating coaching cycles organically, building relationships with teachers, and prioritizing coaching cycles in your sched...

Are you looking for ideas to help improve your instructional coaching cycles? In this episode, Jim Knight, Founder of Instructional Coaching Group, joins me to discuss fine-tuning your instructional coaching cycles! During the show, we talk about setting goals, collaborative conversations, and prioritizing student learning. Jim also discusses honoring teachers as professionals and ways to partner...

Welcome to Season 5!!! Our theme this month is “Coaching Cycles - Make Them Happen!”. I’m excited to kick off this series with an introduction to mini instructional coaching cycles. During the show, I explain the steps in a mini coaching cycle and give you some real-life examples too! I also share tips for how to build relationships with teachers and initiate these mini coaching cycles. If you’re...

We’re wrapping up season 4 with a special episode all about creating, planning, and implementing common assessments. I share my experiences working with teacher teams on common assessments. Plus, I give you my process for creating common assessments aligned to state standards and ideas for how you can use the data to inform teaching. You’ll learn about analyzing data with teams, authentically prep...

I really love coaching call episodes! You get to hear about some of the real challenges coaches in the field are facing on campus and get some helpful tips. This episode I’m joined by Stacy Amsden, a second-year instructional coach. During the call, we problem solve some issues she’s having at her school around data and assessments. Stacy and I talk about how she can support her teachers with thes...

Formative assessments are an important part of the teaching and learning cycle. In this episode, Steve Ventura, President of Advanced Collaborative Solutions, joins me as we dig into formative assessments and data. Steve explains the difference between formative, summative, and interim assessments. He talks about the power of short-cycle formative assessments, provides tips for designing assessmen...

Are your data meetings all talk and no action? Join me as I chat with Jessica Zimmerman about how we can use the data we’re collecting to guide instruction and meet the individual needs of our students. During this episode, we explore different types of data, the benefits of analyzing multiple forms of data including student work, and the characteristics of an effective data meeting. You’ll learn...

How can instructional coaches get teachers to engage in coaching cycles? In this coaching call episode, I sit down with academic coach Erica Denkenberger to problem-solve some challenges she's facing implementing coaching cycles at her school. We talk about getting buy-in from teachers, tips for reducing resistance to new programs, and ways to get started with coaching cycles. You’ll get ideas for...

Do you have questions about coaching cycles? Well, I've got answers! In this episode, I answer 7 questions from instructional coaches about how to make coaching cycles work! Some of the key challenges I address include introducing coaching cycles, working with resistant teachers, and following up with busy teachers. I share tips for using colleague visits to shift perspectives and give you ideas f...

Coaching cycles don’t need to be complicated! Sometimes instructional coaches get caught up in this idea that coaching cycles have to be done in a certain way or follow a specific formula, but that’s not the case. What we really need to do is differentiate learning and find ways to make the coaching cycle work for all our teachers. In this episode, I talk about 3 different parts of a coaching cycl...

Wondering how to help teachers achieve their goals during coaching cycles? In this episode, Sherry St. Clair, President of Reflect to Learn, joins me to dive into this important topic. During our conversation, we talk about setting small, focused S.M.A.R.T. goals and how to keep those goals at the center of coaching cycles to maximize impact. Listen in as we discuss differentiating goals and how t...

Teachers are really busy, but that can’t stop us from coaching them! What if we could offer coaching cycles without the need for so many face-to-face meetings? In this episode, I’m sharing ideas for coaching with fewer meetings. I talk about ways instructional coaches can use technology to build relationships and collaborate with teachers. I also give you some of my favorite tips for maximizing yo...

Want better PLCs? Well, you’re in for a treat! In this special coaching call episode, I’m talking with Alyssa Tyra about how to implement professional learning communities (PLCs). Alyssa is a first-year middle school instructional coach trying to move her PLCs from just learning information and dissecting standards into something more meaningful. During the episode, we troubleshoot some of the cha...

Have you ever found yourself struggling to get teachers on board with collaborative planning? Do you want to improve your curriculum writing process with your PLCs? If you said yes, this episode is for you! Today educational justice coach, Lindsay Lyons joins me to talk about writing curriculum together. In this episode we discuss leveraging PLCs for curriculum development, the challenges coaches...

If you want to create change across a school, you've got to get teachers together to see teaching in action. In this episode, we’re talking about building PLCs through open classrooms. You'll learn the benefits of instructional rounds and how they help build a community of learners. I share a step-by-step process instructional coaches can follow for implementing instructional rounds. I take you th...

Welcome to this podcast about setting up PLCs for success when you're just getting started. Our guest today is Casey from Casey Watts Coaching & Consulting, LLC. During the epsiode Casey shares ideas for initiating PLCs when they're not in place, and she gives us tips for improving learning communities already established on campus. We discuss the components of effective PLCs, strategies for invol...

How do you get teachers to embrace new learning? On this coaching call episode, I talk to social studies specialist Ryan Monceaux, about implementing new learning in schools. During the call, he shares some of his challenges around this topic, and we brainstorm ideas he can try on campus. We discuss designing protocols for data meetings, handling excuses about data, and addressing the sense of pun...

Listen to this episode for everything you need to know about making school-wide shifts in instruction. During the show, I talk about the reasons teachers resist change and don’t try new things in their classrooms. I share four ideas instructional coaches can try to help teachers get on board with new learning. Plus, I explain how to leverage PLCs too. This is a must-listen episode. Tune in now! -C...

If you want to create a collaborative culture where teachers learn from each other, invest in your teacher leaders. In this episode, we dive deep into the topic of developing teacher leaders to support school change. Our guest, Melnequa Holloway, joins me to discuss what it means to be a true teacher leader. We talk about the characteristics of exceptional teacher leaders, what they do on campus,...

As instructional coaches, one of our goals is to develop a strong coaching culture. Unfortunately, in many schools, administrators undermine or completely sabotage this mission. So how do you create a coaching culture when your administration doesn’t support you? In this episode, Dr. Delia Racines, owner of From Insight to Equity, joins me to help answer this important question. We explore what a...

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...