It’s common for coaches to be pulled into quick problem solving when teachers share a problem or concern. There is much to be gained by coaching slow initially, to seek real understanding, in order to go fast later. In this podcast, Steve shares some of the reasons and models a coaching conference with a teacher who illustrates her commitment, her willingness to be vulnerable, to maximize learning opportunities for her students.

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

Deeper learning increases the likelihood that learners can transfer their learning to new settings and problems.  Too often, "getting schoolwork done" stops learners at surface learning.  How can parents support deeper learning both in and out of school?

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

Dr. Andrea Honigsfeld, a researcher and consultant with co-teaching experience and expertise, joins Steve to explore how instructional coaches and administrators can support co-teaching teams. Her analogy of co-teaching teams as an arranged marriage generates interesting reflections on the need to build developmental relationships.

Contact Dr. Honigsfeld: [email protected]

Find Dr. Honigsfeld on Twitter: @AndreaHonigsfel

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

What is the difference between positive stress that increases learning and distress that is harmful to learning and wellness? How does a teacher differentiate rigor? Hear how one school changed their approach to final exams for documenting student learning. Ole Jorgeson and Percy Abram, authors of the article The Dark Side of Rigor, provide insights and suggestions.

Read Ole & Percy's article, "The Dark Side of Rigor" here.

Contact Ole: [email protected]

Contact Percy: [email protected]

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

It seems that often those creating a job description for instructional coaches have entered a brainstorming contest designed to cover every possible thing that might be asked of a coach. Those lists create confusion for administrators, teachers, and especially coaches who are looking for indicators of their successful coaching. Coaching roles that emerge from the needs of students, teachers, and administrators focused on maximum student success create actionable steps for coaches, leaders, and teachers. Usually this occurs mostly at a building level while job descriptions are often formed at the district level.

Our past experiences of finding love from our labor motivate our future efforts and willingness to take on challenges. As supporting adults we often need to know just the right amount of help and just the right time to provide it. Work to maintain that pleasure of love from labor that most parents experience when our child is in pre-school through the teen and early adult years.

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

Increasing collegiality among staff and building teams with shared responsibility for student achievement are keys to a school’s success. Does your leadership team have a shared understanding of what increased collegiality and teaming would look like and sound like? Have you identified leadership actions to produce your desired staff working relationships?  Steve’s thoughts might help you develop a goal for increased collegiality and teaming.

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

How does a teacher gain a maximum positive impact on student learning through partnering with an instructional coach? Kathy Perret and Kenny McKee join the podcast to share insights from their new book, Compassionate Coaching: How Educators Navigate the Barriers to Professional Growth.

Find Kathy & Kenny's book, Compassionate Coaching here. 

Contact Kathy Perret: [email protected]

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

Data team meeting are commonly on the schedules of PLCs, instructional coaches, and administrators. The question that needs to be continually explored is the degree to which this investment in time has a positive impact on long term student achievement. Steve explores some finding around data meetings and connects it to his driving question, "What do our students need us to learn?"

Risk-taking is an important element of learning. Risking and succeeding and risking and failing can both produce new learning and confidence. How do caregivers balance between free-range and helicopter parenting?

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