I recently read Jonathan Haidt’s, “The Happiness Hypothesis” and pondered several times how elements from his work apply to coaching teachers. When might increased teacher happiness lead to increased student learning? What role can coaching play in that connection? Haidt presents a metaphor that can be helpful in a coaching approach: the elephant and the […]

As I look back over last year’s writing, podcast conversations, and coaching work, I’m struck by how often I’ve returned to the theme of listening as a core disposition of effective coaching and leadership.  I find that growth, trust, and collaboration emerge not from the brilliance of what we say, but from the quality of […]

In “Building Teachers’ Capacity for Success: A Collaborative Approach for Coaches and School Leaders,” authors Pete Hall and Alisa Simeral describe four developmental stages through which teachers progress as they strengthen their skill in self-reflection. Understanding these stages helps coaches and school leaders match their support to teachers’ current mindsets and readiness for growth. How […]

What would be the benefits of ALL students being taught and coached to develop leadership skills? Maureen Chapman and James Simons, authors of, “Leaders of the Class,” share the needs, benefits, and processes for students to leverage motivation, perseverance, communication, and collaboration. Consider how to build stronger, healthier relationships with students as they discover their […]

In part 1 of this blog, I examined emotional feedback that supports student’s feelings, confidence, and mindset—how they feel about learning, themselves, and the task. In part 2, I explored behavioral feedback that supports actions and habits, addressing effort, participation, and behaviors related to learning. Here in part 3, I’ll focus on cognitive feedback supporting […]

In coaching—whether you’re supporting a teacher, leading a professional learning team, or working with a school leader—listening is foundational. And yet, in the name of productivity, efficiency, or simply staying on schedule, we can too easily slip into haste. Listening with haste can be worse than not listening at all. When you respond to people […]