Our “coachability” increases as we develop confident humility. Coaching leaders should be models of confident humility – continuously presenting themselves as learners. Continuous teacher growth requires teachers to be vulnerable and risk discovering that their current practice can be improved. Building teachers’ confidence and offering challenges is the work of coaches – very similar to […]

Reflection is key to teachers ongoing growth and empowerment. Too often, “quick feedback” misses the mark because of insufficient dialogue and therefore, too little reflection time. Steve shares some of the tips he has found helpful. Read the article, “How to encourage reflective teaching in your school” here. Subscribe to the Steve Barkley Ponders Out […]

How do you personalize coaching conferences so that the teacher’s agenda is driving the process. Working from the teacher’s agenda and maintaining that focus builds trust and increases teacher’s vulnerability which increases teacher growth. A sample conference with a teacher is included. Find the Evaluation Coaching Continuum here. Find the Diagram on Teachers’ Agenda here. […]

Steve shares three beliefs that are a foundation for his work guiding school leaders as they focus on promoting continuous teacher growth: • There is no Mountaintop to Teaching • Teaching is a Team Sport • Teaching needs to be public with one’s colleagues Subscribe to the Steve Barkley Ponders Out Loud podcast on iTunes […]

I have been working with several school organizations updating and examining their teacher professional growth plans. In each case leaders want to focus on maximizing the payoff in student success, growth or achievement from educator’s learning. They want the plan to provide for teacher autonomy while aligning efforts to school-wide goals. Each of these systems […]

In this week’s episode of the Steve Barkley Ponders Out Loud podcast, Steve is joined by Brianna Gray, Professional Practice Coordinator, as he ponders “Evaluation or Coaching?” Listen as Steve ponders the effect that evaluations and coaching have on teacher growth and student growth. Subscribe to the Steve Barkley Ponders Out Loud podcast on iTunes […]