In an earlier blog, I shared how I saw the work of Dacher Keltner,  the author of, “Awe: The New Science of Everyday Wonder and How It Can Transform Your Life,” connecting with earlier explorations that I have done around the power of Wow! in the classroom. I described Wows as those attention-grabbing classroom events that […]

Teachers observing and supporting one another can be a powerful tool for professional growth.  The way feedback is framed during these activities can make a big difference.  Peer feedback is most effective when it fosters collaboration and shared learning rather than judgment or evaluation. In a previous blog, I explored the difference between peer coaching […]

Marcela Andrés, the CEO of designEDengagement and author of a post titled, “Moving Beyond Compliance: Building Relationships in Education,” joined the podcast to share her experiences and recommendations for building connections with students. “Educators need to see students as individuals with unique backgrounds, dreams, and potential – despite challenges they may be facing. When we […]

The term “web of causality” refers to a conceptual framework used to understand the interconnected and complex relationships among various factors that contribute to a particular outcome. The term “web” emphasizes that causes tend not to be linear or singular but are instead interwoven. How do coaches encourage multi-valent thinking that acknowledges the complexity of […]

As teachers’ relationships with those providing coaching grow from a foundation of trust, teacher vulnerability and risk-taking increase which positively impacts teacher growth. I had an earlier opportunity to explore earning trust and building trust with Jonathan Mueller, an experienced international school leader. He shares that when you can build rapport through unconditional positive regard […]

I’ve recently read Michael Bungay Stainer’s How to Work with (Almost) Anyone. The focus of the book is on working relationships that are happier, more successful partnerships. He labels these partnerships as “best possible relationships” (BPR) that are safe, vital, and repairable. Hear Michael describe safe, vital, and repairable here (4:22 to 6:53). As I read […]