Instructional Coaching with Ms. B

A lot of instructional coaches have strained relationships with their administration. They don't feel supported, or they feel like the principal doesn't understand their coaching role. On this episode, I'm joined by the authors of The EduCoach Survival Guide, Lindsay Deacon and Angela Scotto Harkness. We talk about problem solving the principal-coach relationship and how coaches can build positive...

Instructional coaches often address content and skills with teachers but rarely focus on mindset. On this episode, I talk to Becca Silver of The Whole Educator about transformational coaching. We discuss what it is, the benefits, and how it's different from traditional coaching. You'll learn about reflective listening and building relationships with educators. If you want to learn more about trans...

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...

Planning purposeful PD isn’t always easy! On this episode, I have a coaching call with Kristi Rice. She’s a first-year instructional coach building her school’s coaching program from the ground up. We discuss how to get started planning PDs and ways to overcome common challenges. You'll learn how to tier support for PDs and PLCs, ideas for guided reading professional development, strategies for fi...

Have you tried using an inquiry-based approach with the teachers you coach? In this episode, author Jessica Vance joins me to discuss her book, Leading with a Lens of Inquiry. We discuss the inquiry process, how to use it during professional development, and tips for overcoming common challenges. Discover how to use inquiry as a framework for leadership and learning. Listen now to get practical id...

Planning for professional development doesn’t have to be difficult. On this episode, I share my PD planning process from start to finish. You’ll learn all the steps I take to plan professional learning for the teachers on my team. I walk you through my process, from conducting a needs assessment to following up with teachers and everything in between. Learn how to build a PD calendar, tips for cho...

Looking for a new way to provide professional development? Try Pineapple PD and let teachers learn from each other through classroom observations! On this episode, middle school instructional coach Heather Ehlschide joins me to talk all about this unique form of professional learning. You’ll learn what it is, how to get started, ideas for scheduling it, and how to overcome common challenges. Heath...

Tired of offering the same old professional development to your teachers? Want to mix things up and try something new? On this episode of The Coaching Podcast, we’re discussing the PD opportunities you might be missing. You'll learn ways to deliver engaging professional learning. Join me as I share my experiences with school-wide in-service, after-school PD, and book studies. Click now to listen t...

Looking to become a literacy coach or improve your coaching skills? On this episode, I share my experiences as a literacy coach and discuss what I learned along the way. You'll also get a sneak peek into my course, The Confident Literacy Coach. This course provides everything you need to coach teachers in literacy and other subjects too. Listen to find out who this course is for, what you’ll learn...

There's a lot of interest in social-emotional learning these days. You may be wondering how to incorporate SEL into your coaching practice. Or, maybe you're thinking about becoming an SEL coach. In this episode, I’m talking with Maria Austin, an SEL instructional coach. We chat about her journey from teacher to coach, what an SEL coach does, and how she defined her role. Tune in to learn how every...

What is technology coaching and how can it impact student learning? On this episode, I chat with Italy Wallace about being an instructional technology coach. We discuss what tech coaches do, the services they provide, and how their work enhances instruction. If you're thinking about becoming a technology coach or want to learn more about what they do, this episode is for you! -Chrissy Beltran Buzz...

Thinking about becoming a math coach? Not sure exactly what they do or if it's the right fit for you? On this episode, I sit down with math coach Staci Erickson from Math Coach Minute. We talk about what makes a math coach special and different from other types of instructional coaches. She explains what she does, a typical day for her, and how to get started in this role. If you're thinking about...

When teachers reflect on their practice, it allows them to grow and improve as educators. On this episode, I talk with ELA coach Monika Puzio about making teacher reflection a common practice. We chat about encouraging new teachers to reflect on their practice and ideas for tiering support. This episode includes discussions about using video coaching and student work for reflection. Listen for pra...

Reflection is vital for improving teaching practices. In this episode, I talk to Lorraine Padilla from Apple Blossom Teachers about supporting teacher reflection. During the call, we discuss why reflecting is important, common misunderstandings, and how coaches and administrators can help teachers turn their reflections into action. We share tips for making reflection a habit, ways to keep reflect...

As a school leader, you’re constantly pulled in different directions, and it can be difficult to find time to reflect on your work. On this episode of The Coaching Podcast, Dr. Jill Brown joins me to discuss what it means to be a reflective leader. We talk about the importance of self-awareness, how to reflect on your coaching work, and questions to ask yourself. She shares the four steps to take...

Instructional coaching is all about building relationships. So, what can you do if you fall into a negative coaching pattern with a teacher? In this episode, I share my best tips for breaking a negative coaching pattern and creating better relationships with your team. Learn to recognize negative patterns, shift the conversation, and build trust with teachers. This episode is full of valuable insi...

Today we are celebrating 100 episodes! For this special show, I’m doing something different. My good friend Laura turns the tables on me and is the one asking the questions. We talk about my teaching and coaching experiences, classroom management tips, my favorite podcasts and books, building relationships with teachers, and so much more. This episode is for you if you want to learn more about me...

It can be hard to focus on your coaching work when you have so many other responsibilities at school. On this coaching call episode, I talk with Courtney Staley about productivity and time management for coaches. Courtney and I discuss ideas for collaborative planning, defining your coaching role, and micro coaching. If you are an instructional coach looking for ways to be more productive and impa...

Ready to rethink your to-do list? On this episode, Kendra Adachi of The Lazy Genius Collective joins me to talk about how to run your life with more joy and less stress. During the interview, Kendra provides tips for managing your time and the steps coaches can take to figure out what matters most. She shares the magic question you should be asking yourself and how to conquer decision fatigue. Lea...

Productivity and time management are enormous challenges for instructional coaches. Kierra of Miss Unconventional joins me to discuss how coaches can manage their busy schedules while reclaiming their time, energy, and attention. We chat about gaining clarity, setting boundaries, and conquering your chaos. She shares her powerful goal-setting formula and strategies for becoming a more purposeful c...

Do you find it hard to say no? As an instructional coach, there are times when it's necessary to say no to protect your time and energy. On this episode of The Coaching Podcast, we discuss 3 times to say no. Learn how to say no without the guilt. If you feel overwhelmed and need help setting coaching boundaries, this podcast is for you. Listen now! -Chrissy Beltran Buzzing with Ms. B Instagram Buz...

Coaching during the pandemic has not been easy. Teachers had to do things never done before, often with little training. On this episode of The Coaching Podcast, I talk with a middle school instructional coach about supporting teachers in in-person and virtual teaching. We discuss ideas for identifying teachers' needs and building trust. Listen to this coaching call to learn how to define your coa...

Virtual learning provided students, teachers, and instructional coaches with access to lots of new technology. While remote learning was far from perfect, there are things we learned that can be brought back to the classroom. On this episode, I share five tech tools for coaching in-person and virtually. Listen to get practical ideas for how to use technology when coaching teachers. -Chrissy Beltra...

Flipped learning is an innovative approach to teaching that flips the traditional classroom model on its head. In a flipped classroom, students watch video lectures at home and come to class ready to engage in hands-on activities. Belu and Gi from The Teaching Touch join me to talk all about flipped learning. They explain the benefits and misconceptions of flipping a classroom. We discuss the best...

What were the lessons learned from virtual teaching? How can we use them for in-person learning? On this episode, Michael Singletary from Principal Teacher Co. joins me to discuss how to purposefully transition from remote to in-person learning. Michael shares why going slow and staying focused is best when introducing new technology. She also gives us ideas for how coaches can help teachers shift...