Tara Brown, who has been called the "Teen Whisperer," shares what we know about the teen brain and how that knowledge can support parents in understanding teen needs.  She describes the teen brain as a Maserati with bicycle brakes. Tara is an experienced teenager and parent life coach.Visit Tara's website here.

When parents were interviewed about math instruction in school, the four most frequent words that arose were intimidated, frustrated, worried, and confused. The author who conducted those interviews, Dr. Hilary Kreisberg, explores what school leaders can do to support teachers changing those parent concerns. Hilary is the author of "Partnering with Parents in Elementary Math" and "Adding Parents to the Equation: Understanding Your Child’s Elementary School Math."

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Students have shared that discussion time is scarier than taking a test. How do we create classrooms where students report that during discussions they feel confident to ask a question, feel that classmates are listening to them, and feel connected to classmates? Liza Garonzik, from Real Discussion, provides some immediate steps teachers can take.Read the article, "Three Steps to (Co)create Belonging During Class Discussions" here.Visit the Real Discussion website here.

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The greatest growth from coaching is likely to occur when the goals from coaching have been set by the coachee. Ownership of the goal increases the commitment to the actions necessary for the goal to be reached. Five strategies are presented for a coach’s conscious practice. Similar to being on a seesaw, coaches need situational modifications to keep a balance for progress.Read "Cultivate Coaching with these 5 Mindsets"Read "The Coaching of Teaching"

Subscribe to the Steve Barkley Ponders Out Loud podcast on iTunes or visit BarkleyPD.com to find new episodes!

Experiencing joy has been described as a tonic for all of us, helping with various ailments and concerns. Joy can be healing and has benefits for children of all ages. How do we increase our focus on experiencing the joyful opportunities around us?Read the article, "How Experiencing Joy Can Help Children and Promote Optimal Development"Watch Ingrid Fetell Lee’s Ted TalkListen to Brittany Cabrera’s podcast

Subscribe to the Steve Barkley Ponders Out Loud podcast on iTunes or visit BarkleyPD.com to find new episodes!

School principal and author of "Leading Like a Coach," Matt Renwick, promotes school leaders working with a community in which each member contributes their strengths and ideas to improving instruction. He explores five key elements from his book.

Create confidence through trust.Organize around a priority.Affirm promising practices.Communicate feedback.Help teachers become leaders.

Visit Matt’s website. Find Matt on Twitter @ReadByExampleFind Matt's book, "Lead Like a Coach" here.

Teachers, Colin Donelle and Jon Binschus, share the development of a teaching partnership that implements elements of peer coaching into their planning, teaching, & debriefing process.Reflection is continually increased throughout the process. The role of vulnerability and trust are explored.

E-mail Colin: [email protected]

E-mail Jon: [email protected]

Find Colin on Twitter: @ColinDonelle

Subscribe to the Steve Barkley Ponders Out Loud podcast on iTunes or visit BarkleyPD.com to find new episodes!

What do we see and hear in a school when people are the focus rather than subjects? Why is now a critical time for a people focus? Leaders need to see teachers as people and all educators need to see students as people. Steve explores these concepts with Stephen Dexter, an upper school principal at an American international school in Croatia.

Contact Stephen: [email protected]

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Why is the gradual release of responsibility model a strong instructional strategy at times for certain learning outcomes and particular students? How can the model negatively impact certain learning outcomes or particular students at other times? Instructionally agile teachers read their students engagement in learning adjusting to maximize learner outcomes.Read Doug Fisher's article, "Effective Use of the Gradual Release Model"Read the article, "Why “I do, we do you do” is Not Always Best Practice for Teaching Math"Watch Mike Flynn's video, "Flipping The I Do, We Do, You Do"Listen to Steve and Dr. Amanda Jensen's podcast episode, "Rough Draft Math"

Labsite Learning responds to teachers’ requests for professional learning that is collaborative, relevant to their specific students, allows for quick application and happens during the school day. Curriculum specialist, Dani Fry, provides an explanation and a planning process based on her implementation experiences.Read Dani’s article, "A Collaborative Model for PD" here. Email Dani: [email protected] Dani on Twitter: @danifryIC

Subscribe to the Steve Barkley Ponders Out Loud podcast on iTunes or visit BarkleyPD.com to find new episodes!