Welcome to another episode of Coaching Conversations, where I have the pleasure of having a thought-provoking dialogue with the incredible Dr. Ayanna Cooper. As an educational consultant and fervent advocate for culturally and linguistically diverse learners, Ayanna brings a wealth of experience to the table.

Throughout her illustrious career, Ayanna has worn many hats, from serving as an English as a Second Language teacher to taking on roles as an ELL Instructional Coach, Urban Education Teacher Supervisor, ELL/Title III Director, and ELL/Bilingual Program Specialist. In our conversation, we explore the dynamic landscape of educational diversity and the profound impact Ayanna has made in each of these capacities.

Join us as we delve into Ayanna's journey, discussing the challenges and triumphs she's encountered along the way. We explore the nuances of her role as an advocate, shedding light on the strategies she employs to ensure inclusivity and support for learners from diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds. Dr. Ayanna Cooper's insights are sure to resonate with educators, advocates, and anyone passionate about fostering an inclusive educational environment.

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Welcome, we have the distinct honor of sitting down with the visionaries behind Cognitive Coaching, Art Costa and Bob Garmston. Art and Bob have significantly shaped the landscape of coaching in education, and we owe them a tremendous debt for laying the groundwork that has influenced countless educators worldwide.

In the early 1980s, Art and Bob embarked on a journey that would revolutionize coaching in education. Art Costa, with a background deeply rooted in cognition and intellectual development, had studied under the guidance of luminaries such as Jean Piaget, Jerome Bruner, Hilda Taba, J. Richard Suchman, Reuven Feuerstein, and others. His extensive experience in supervision models set the stage for what would become Cognitive Coaching.

Bob Garmston's path was equally influential, drawing inspiration from mentors like Caleb Gattegno, Fritz Perls, Carl Rogers, Abraham Maslow, and, most recently, John Ginder. Together, Art and Bob brought their parallel backgrounds to create a methodology that seamlessly melds their distinct perspectives.

Join us as we unravel the fascinating origins of Cognitive Coaching, a marriage of professional experiences that has become an indispensable tool for educators. Art Costa and Bob Garmston share their insights, anecdotes, and the transformative journey that led to the creation of Cognitive Coaching—a methodology that has stood the test of time and continues to empower educators globally. 

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Welcome to the Coaching Conversations podcast. In this episode I speak with the world's leading expert on educational change; mentor and Don Deshler award winner Michael Fullan.

Join us in this episode as we delve into the profound commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and respect within the educational landscape. We explore the essence of fostering a fair and inclusive environment where every individual is treated with dignity and provided equal opportunities.

Michael Fullan, the Global Leadership Director of New Pedagogies for Deep Learning, sheds light on the transformative power of Deep Learning. Deep Learning, as outlined by NPDL, is propelled by four pivotal elements: Learning Partnerships, Learning Environments, Pedagogical Practices, and Leveraging Digital.

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Welcome to this month's episode of Coaching Q&A. In this episode I explore key topics from my book, Better Conversations, with ICG's consultant Jessica Wise.

Join us as we empower coaches, administrators, and teachers to not just survive, but thrive. Discover the secrets to coaching ourselves and each other for better communication, delving into strategies that make us more credible, caring, and connected.

We'll unravel the art of empathetic listening, helping you understand the emotions behind the words. Learn how to find common ground, bridging gaps and celebrating diversity. Trust-building takes center stage, as we share insights into establishing and maintaining trust within educational communities.

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Welcome back to another episode of Coaching Conversations. In this episode, I have the privilege of featuring my long-standing friend, mentor, and esteemed colleague, Bill Sommers.

During our conversation, we delve into the significance of cultivating a broad and comprehensive knowledge base. Bill shares his unique approach to reading and note-taking, shedding light on the invaluable lessons he's learned from his experiences in improvisational acting classes, and how these experiences have subtly influenced his role as a principal.

Dr. William A. Sommers continues to embody the essence of a perpetual learner, teacher, and educational leader. Bill's remarkable journey has seen him return from retirement multiple times, demonstrating his unwavering commitment to translating educational theories into practical realities within high schools and middle schools. His diverse career has spanned urban schools, as well as affluent suburban districts, granting him invaluable insights into cognitive coaching, adaptive schools, brain research, poverty-related challenges, habits of mind, conflict management, and classroom management strategies. Bill is also a certified Stakeholder Centered Coach by Marshall Goldsmith, further solidifying his expertise in the realm of leadership coaching.

I'd love to hear your feedback about my weekly Coaching Conversations. Please consider leaving a rating or review and subscribing to our channel. 

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I'm excited for you to hear today's episode with my guest and friend, Chris Munro. Chris is the executive director of Growth Coaching International (GCI), an organization that ICG is grateful to partner with. GCI offers coaching training, coaching, and consultancy to educators worldwide.  

Chris has extensive experience in supporting the development of teachers and school leaders, drawn from more than 30 years in Government and Independent schools, in Higher Education, and now as a facilitator and coach based in Australia. Chris continues to coach education leaders and is an accredited Senior Practitioner with EMCC Global. He contributes to the conversational capacity of education communities across Australia and internationally through his role in the design and delivery of coaching and mentoring courses and consultancy projects. Chris led the development and delivery of The Impact Cycle Instructional Coaching course in Australia and New Zealand.

He regularly writes and speaks about coaching and mentoring in education and is an active contributor on social media. Chris has co-authored book chapters on coaching cultures for learning (Munro et al., 2020) and coaching for teacher agency (Andrews & Munro, 2019), and he is currently working on a new book about coaching as a leadership stance with John Campbell and Christian van Nieuwerburgh.


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Thank you for joining me on another episode of Coaching Conversations. This episode is a special one as I recap insights shared by our TLC 2023 keynote speakers. I'm also happy to introduce you to Jessica Wise, a new consultant on the ICG team. Jessica and I will give you a detailed overview of the highlights from our annual conference, shedding light on key topics that we have found particularly instrumental in our own professional practice.

Jessica's educational journey began as an elementary school teacher in Gwinnett County, Georgia. After seven years in fourth-grade classrooms, she transitioned to become an intervention teacher and instructional coach, discovering her true passion in education. Her role as a school-based instructional coach opened doors to support educators effectively. After two years in this role, she moved to the Curriculum & Instruction department, serving as a Literacy Instructional Specialist and later as a Leadership & Staff Development Instructional Coach. Jessica's passion lies in adult learning, emphasizing instructional coaching and facilitation that energizes educators.

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Please join us on this episode of Coaching Conversations with our featured guest, Sheila Heen, the Thaddeus R. Beal Professor of Practice and Deputy Director of the Harvard Negotiation Project. Sheila is renowned for her work on difficult conversations and how to receive feedback. In this episode, Jim and Sheila explore practical strategies for improving feedback mechanisms, fostering collaboration, and enhancing interpersonal relationships in various educational settings.

Sheila Heen's extensive expertise in negotiation theory and practice, honed over decades, offers a fresh perspective on the crucial role of effective communication in coaching. Join us as Sheila shares her wisdom on how to handle situations where emotions are high and relationships are strained, providing valuable insights for coaches and educators alike.

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In this enlightening episode of Coaching Conversations, our host, Jim Knight, engages in a dynamic conversation with Brian Sepe. Together, they explore the vital topic of leveraging data effectively in the classroom.

Drawing inspiration from Jim's upcoming book "Data Rules", Jim and Brian delve into the transformative role of data in shaping educational practices. This episode offers listeners valuable insights into the practical application of data-driven decision-making, illuminating how educators can harness the power of data to enhance student learning and drive instructional improvement.

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Join us for an inspiring episode of Coaching Conversations as we welcome a distinguished guest, Russ Quaglia, the Executive Director of the Quaglia Institute for Voice & Aspirations. Russ is renowned for his unwavering commitment to nurturing student voice, and in this episode, we delve deep into the world of 'Educator Voice, Student Voice, and Instructional Coaching.'

Russ Quaglia's extensive expertise in elevating student voice and aspirations brings a fresh perspective to the coaching landscape. As a dedicated advocate for empowering both educators and students, Russ's insights are invaluable. Russ shares his vision for creating inclusive and empowering learning environments, where all voices are not only heard but also valued.

Jim Knight, our esteemed host and leading expert in instructional coaching, guides this captivating conversation. Together, they uncover strategies for coaches to harness the power of educator and student voices, fostering a culture of collaboration, growth, and authentic engagement in educational settings.

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