20 Minutes of Teaching Brilliance (On the Road with Trust-Based Observations)

In this episode, Craig Randall talks with Megan Moggach, an AP Physics teacher at The John Cooper School, about creating an engaging classroom through strong content knowledge, enthusiasm, questioning, and meaningful student interaction.

Megan explains how knowing the content deeply allows her to respond to students, ask better questions, and adapt lessons based on their understanding. She shares how she uses demonstrations, modeling, movement, and question-driven lectures to keep students actively thinking rather than simply listening. She also discusses using “how” and “why” questions to uncover misunderstandings and help students transfer their understanding to new problems. Finally, Megan shares how getting to know students individually—including their goals and motivations—helps her better support and engage them.

In this episode, Craig Randall talks with Emily Taylor, a visual arts teacher at The John Cooper School, about creating a positive classroom where students feel safe experimenting, solving problems, and developing their own ideas.

Emily explains how care, clear expectations, and thoughtful questioning shape both student behavior and learning. She shares how her design-based art projects move beyond simply making artwork by asking students to consider audience, function, color, marketing, and product design. She also discusses why she prefers guiding students with questions rather than immediately giving them answers, giving them space to experiment, reflect, and learn from what does not work.

In this episode, Craig Randall talks with science teacher Toartou Kargou of The John Cooper School about a fast-paced collaborative activity he uses to introduce new units. Students work in pairs, research a scientist, create a concise presentation, and teach their findings to the class, all within one 80-minute block.

Toartou explains how time limits, small groups, random pairings, teacher proximity, and strategic questioning keep students engaged while helping them process information more deeply. He also shares how strong teacher-student relationships create the trust students need to participate, take risks, and learn from mistakes.

In this episode, Craig Randall talks with Laura Godard, an upper school math teacher at The John Cooper School, about how Building Thinking Classrooms changed the way her students engage with math. Laura shares how visible workspaces, random groups, and carefully designed tasks encourage students to think more deeply, teach one another, ask better questions, and take greater ownership of their learning. She also explains how collaborative problem-solving helps her give more timely feedback while keeping students actively engaged.

In this episode, Nancy Jenkins, a trust-based observation trainer, interviews Dana Younes, a first-year special education teacher at Bahrain Bayan School. Dana passionately discusses her teaching philosophy, emphasizing student autonomy, engagement, and personalized learning. She shares her comprehensive approach to understanding each student's needs, involving visualization exercises and differentiated instruction, and the importance of fostering an environment where students become experts in their own learning. Dana also elaborates on her collaborative efforts with homeroom teachers, continuous progress monitoring, and strategies for involving parents in the education process. The conversation highlights the holistic support provided by the school's special education team and the profound, lasting impact on students' academic and personal growth.

In this episode, the focus shifts from teachers to a principal's perspective on implementing trust-based observations (TBO). Host Craig interviews Carrie Davis, principal of Robertson Elementary in Yakima, Washington. Carrie discusses her journey from initial skepticism to a strong advocate of TBO, detailing how it transformed her relationships with teachers and fostered a more trusting and collaborative atmosphere. The conversation covers the challenges of traditional formal observations, the introduction of TBO for non-evaluative teacher growth, and the significant positive feedback from teachers. Carrie reveals how TBO has encouraged reflective practices and boosted teacher confidence, ultimately improving teaching and learning in her school.

In this bonus episode, Craig Randall engages in a post-podcast discussion with Rose Picard. They delve into the impact of different types of principal support and the value of trust-based observations in fostering professional growth among teachers. Rose shares personal experiences with different principals and how trust-based observations have shaped her teaching approach.

In this episode, Craig Randall interviews Xavier Juarez, a dedicated fifth-grade teacher from Robertson Elementary. Xavier shares his journey into teaching, highlights the importance of creating a positive classroom environment, and discusses strategies for behavior management and student engagement. This episode also explores the implementation of collaborative learning activities and the benefits of structured teaching strategies, as well as the impact of Trust-Based Observations on professional development.

In this episode, Craig Randall talks with Rose Picard, a dedicated reading literacy specialist at the Briarwood School in Houston, Texas, about trust-based observations, individualized education plans, and effective classroom management for students with learning disabilities.

In this episode, Craig Randall interviews Krystal Merriel, an inspiring pre-kindergarten teacher from Soap Lake, Washington. Krystal shares her journey from being a student in the same school district to becoming a teacher, discussing her passion for relationship-building, innovative teaching strategies, and classroom management techniques that make her classroom a model of trust and respect. Tune in to hear her story and learn practical tips for fostering a positive and effective learning environment.