For this episode, special guest Jim Knight joins hosts Tom Sherrington and Emma Turner to discuss his research and experience in professional development. The conversation focuses on instructional coaching, teacher professional learning, and recent research to improve teaching and learning. 

In part one of this episode, the group discusses the differences between two of Jim’s books: The Impact Cycle and Seven Factors for Success. As Jim explores, his most recent book, Seven Factors for Success, focuses on a much more broad context for becoming a successful professional learner in teaching. 

In the second part of the episode, the trio discusses the challenges, strategies, and realities of instructional coaches. Adaptation is a major key to making teachers better. Instructional coaches must understand factors like expertise, vocabulary, and background are essential to master effective coaching. 

Overall this episode highlights the multifaceted nature of professional development and instructional coaching. Jim’s research-based frameworks are truly revolutionary, and by adopting them, schools can improve teaching and increase the successful outcomes of their students.

About the participants: 

Jim Knight is ​​a founding partner at Instructional Coaching Group (ICG) and a research associate at the University of Kansas Center for Research on Learning. He has spent more than two decades studying professional learning, effective teaching, and instructional coaching. Knight has written several books, most recently, The Definitive Guide to Instructional Coaching: Seven Factors for Success with John Catt Educational. His articles on instructional coaching have been included in publications such as The Journal of Staff Development, Principal Leadership, The School Administrator, and Teachers Teaching Teachers. Follow Jim on Twitter @jimknight99

Tom Sherrington has worked in schools as a teacher and leader for 30 years and is now a consultant specializing in teacher development and curriculum & assessment planning. His books include Teaching WalkThrus, Rosenshine’s Principles in Action, and The Learning Rainforest Fieldbook. He regularly contributes to conferences and CPD sessions locally and nationally and is busy working in schools and colleges across the UK and around the world. Follow Tom on Twitter @teacherhead

Emma Turner joined Discovery Schools Academy Trust as the Research and CPD lead after 20 years in primary teaching. She is the founder of ‘NewEd – Joyful CPD for early-career teachers,’ a not-for-profit approach to CPD to encourage positivity amongst the profession and help to retain teachers in post. Turner is the author of Be More Toddler: A Leadership Education From Our Little Learners,  Let’s Talk About Flex: Flipping the flexible working narrative for education, and Simplicitus: The Interconnected Primary Curriculum & Effective Subject Leadership.

Follow Emma on Twitter @emma_turner75.

Watch this episode on edCircuit.