
#coachbetter
FaktaBuilding community in schools through instructional coaching. Wherever you are in your coaching journey, we can support you! Hosted by Kim Cofino, the #coachbetter podcast features inspiring interviews; case studies with coaches; real-life coaching calls; and quick strategic tips that you can put into practice immediately. We turn inspiration into practical reality so you get the clarity you need to move forward confidently - for you as an individual coach and for your coaching program in your school. New episodes every Wednesday!
Siste episoder av #coachbetter podcast
- 8 Red Flags to Avoid When Building a Coaching Program with Diana Beabout (00:18:54)
In this #coachbetter episode, Diana is going to share 8 Red Flags to Avoid When Building a Coaching Culture - and What TO DO Instead. As coaches and leaders we are doing our best to build a positive and inclusive coaching culture, but sometimes we can be making some big mistakes without even realizing it. When you look back on your own coaching experience - as a coach or as an educator or leader, you can probably remember a time when something didn’t quite go as planned, or wasn’t received the way we expected. Sometimes, even with the best of intentions we end up making a crucial mistake. So what are these red flags when building a coaching culture - and what do you do instead? Find the show notes for this episode here. Like this episode, you’ll enjoy these: Case Study: Building a Coaching Culture BEFORE Starting a Coaching Program with Melissa Carr [272] 3 Steps to Growing a Thriving Coaching Culture Building a Coaching Culture with Kristine Mizzone and Jenny Derby [Ep 186] Let’s Connect: Our website: coachbetter.tv EduroLearning on LinkedIn EduroLearning on Instagram EduroLearning on YouTube Subscribe to our weekly newsletter Join our #coachbetter Facebook group Learn with Kim Explore our courses for coaches Watch a FREE workshop Read more from Kim: Finding Your Path as a Woman in School Leadership (book) Fostering a Culture of Growth and Belonging: The Multi-Faceted Impact of Instructional Coaching in International Schools (chapter) The Landscape of Instructional Coaching in International Schools (chapter)
- The True Impact of Coaching: A Coach & Coaching Partner Case Study with Nikki Hume & Amber (01:14:17)
This #coachbetter episode is another in our series of coaching case studies, with one of Kim's amazing clients, Nikki Hume, an elementary art specialist, and her coaching partner Amber Shortridge, a kindergarten teacher, both at the International School of Manila in the Philippines. While Nikki was in The Coach Certificate & Mentorship Program she coached Amber as one of the steps in Phase 3: Grow Community. These case study episodes are designed to share the story of a coach, and the development of their coaching program and practice in their unique setting. In this conversation they talk about How Nikki started her journey to instructional coaching What made Amber interested in being coached as a classroom teacher What their work together looked like and why it was impactful for Amber The coaching skills that Nikki developed throughout this process The outcome of their work together What Nikki and Amber think teachers and leaders need to know about coaching How Nikki grew so much in her coaching practice during The Coach Certificate and Mentorship Program Coaching and structured professional growth are very different, and this episode deeply unpacks the power and outcome of a true coaching experience. If you want to better understand the impact of coaching and see and feel what that looks like in person, this episode is for you! Find the show notes for this episode here. Let’s Connect: Our website: coachbetter.tv EduroLearning on LinkedIn EduroLearning on Instagram EduroLearning on YouTube Subscribe to our weekly newsletter Join our #coachbetter Facebook group Learn with Kim Explore our courses for coaches Watch a FREE workshop Read more from Kim: Finding Your Path as a Woman in School Leadership (book) Fostering a Culture of Growth and Belonging: The Multi-Faceted Impact of Instructional Coaching in International Schools (chapter) The Landscape of Instructional Coaching in International Schools (chapter)
- 3 Tips to Make Coaching Successful with Diane Sweeney (00:10:02)
In this episode we’re looking at three tips to make coaching successful. This is a highlight from one of our favorite episodes from a previous season, featuring Diane Sweeney. What we appreciate about this clip is that Diane highlights all three elements of the Thrive Model within her three tips. She touches on Clarity, Consistency and Community in this short clip. As you’re watching or listening, we invite you to identify which of Diane’s tips fits in which phase of the Thrive Model: Clarity, Consistency or Community. If you want to learn more about the Thrive Model after this episode, head over to our website at edurolearning.com/thrive to get all the details. Find the show notes for this episode here. Like this episode, you’ll enjoy these: 3 Steps to Growing a Thriving Coaching Culture Understanding the Thrive Model with The Coach Mentors [Ep 211] Let’s Connect: Our website: coachbetter.tv EduroLearning on LinkedIn EduroLearning on Instagram EduroLearning on YouTube Subscribe to our weekly newsletter Join our #coachbetter Facebook group Learn with Kim Explore our courses for coaches Watch a FREE workshop Read more from Kim: Finding Your Path as a Woman in School Leadership (book) Fostering a Culture of Growth and Belonging: The Multi-Faceted Impact of Instructional Coaching in International Schools (chapter) The Landscape of Instructional Coaching in International Schools (chapter)
- Building Communities of Hope Through Instructional Coaching with Elin Kelsey & Ivy Yan (01:19:25)
In this #coachbetter episode Kim talks with Elin Kelsey and Ivy Yan. Elin is an author, researcher and leader in the solutions-focused environmental and climate justice movement. Her mission is to spread wild contagious hope. Ivy is an experiential learning designer and facilitator advocating for the happiness and well-being of human beings and nature as a whole. Together they bring so much hope, joy and happiness to their work, that it is truly contagious! In this episode they talk about ... The ways emotions are contagious and how we, as educators and coaches can bring hope into our school contexts. How the world works in cycles and seasons, and how important it is for us to understand what season we are in, and how we can recognize that within our school communities. The importance of breaks, of being in nature, being vulnerable and recognizing the ways that we need to find space and time to heal Why emotions are important - even when we’re talking about facts How we are connected - and how important embracing that connection is. How and why we need to be shifting the narrative to one of hope. Find the show notes for this episode here. Let’s Connect: Our website: coachbetter.tv EduroLearning on LinkedIn EduroLearning on Instagram EduroLearning on YouTube Subscribe to our weekly newsletter Join our #coachbetter Facebook group Learn with Kim Explore our courses for coaches Watch a FREE workshop Read more from Kim: Finding Your Path as a Woman in School Leadership (book) Fostering a Culture of Growth and Belonging: The Multi-Faceted Impact of Instructional Coaching in International Schools (chapter) The Landscape of Instructional Coaching in International Schools (chapter)
- Building Teacher Agency Through Coaching Conversations with Kim Cofino (00:16:20)
In this episode Kim talks about how we can build teacher agency during coaching conversations - by providing structure to their thoughts. This episode was inspired by a conversation with one of Kim's clients in The Coach Certificate and Mentorship Program when they were going through the “In Practice” module of the course. They were starting to have coaching conversations for the first time and realized that even though their conversations with Kim during the Office Hours in the program felt so natural, there was actually a structure and a process that she was following, even though it felt so seamless in the moment! If we want our coaching conversations to feel seamless and natural, we need to create space for unpacking a lot of ideas, while at the same time providing structure - this is part of the art of coaching. Being able to make a complex conversation feel “easy”. Find the show notes for this episode here. Like this episode, you’ll enjoy these: How to Structure an Instructional Coaching Conversation Top 5 Strategies for an Effective Coaching Conversation Framework for an Effective Instructional Coaching Conversation How to Have an Effective Coaching Conversation Let’s Connect: Our website: coachbetter.tv EduroLearning on LinkedIn EduroLearning on Instagram EduroLearning on YouTube Subscribe to our weekly newsletter Join our #coachbetter Facebook group Learn with Kim Explore our courses for coaches Watch a FREE workshop Read more from Kim: Finding Your Path as a Woman in School Leadership (book) Fostering a Culture of Growth and Belonging: The Multi-Faceted Impact of Instructional Coaching in International Schools (chapter) The Landscape of Instructional Coaching in International Schools (chapter)
- Season 7 Intro: Hot Topics in Instructional Coaching Across the Globe (00:24:48)
This is the first #coachbetter episode for season seven of the podcast and Kim highlights 5 key themes that have been percolating to the surface in her work over the past academic year. All of these topics have been a big feature of the in-person work Kim has been doing, our global cohorts of The Coach, and the long term consulting work she does with schools. The themes are: Maintaining confidentiality (with transparency) in coaching relationships (and the importance of separating coaching from any aspect of evaluation, supervision and appraisal) The power of data as a pathway to understanding the impact of coaching The importance of case studies & sharing your impact within your school community; and Developing a coaching mindset and coachability on staff; Finding hope, joy and presence in our work in schools Kim is sharing these because so many of the coaches that she works with, particularly in our global cohort of The Coach, feel like they are alone in these conversations. They wonder if they are the only one who is thinking about and trying to start conversations about these topics in their school. If that sounds like you, you are not alone. Find the show notes for this episode here. Let’s Connect: Our website: coachbetter.tv EduroLearning on LinkedIn EduroLearning on Instagram EduroLearning on YouTube Subscribe to our weekly newsletter Join our #coachbetter Facebook group Learn with Kim Explore our courses for coaches Watch a FREE workshop Read more from Kim: Finding Your Path as a Woman in School Leadership (book) Fostering a Culture of Growth and Belonging: The Multi-Faceted Impact of Instructional Coaching in International Schools (chapter) The Landscape of Instructional Coaching in International Schools (chapter)
- Refresh Your Coaching Practice Series (10): Looking Back to Move Forward 2025 (00:22:11)
For the tenth and final episode in the series, the topic is Looking Back to Move Forward as an Instructional Coach - a collaborative #coachbetter quick tips with Kim and Diana together . This episode focuses on the importance of reflection to help you prepare for the next academic year. The whole series has been about reflecting on your practice and this one will set you up for an annual process every academic year. If you enjoy this episode, and you’re curious about the others, please go back and listen to the rest of the series to learn about the Thrive Model for Sustainable Instructional Coaching so you can reflect on the Clarity, Consistency and Community you have in your coaching practice and program. This series is designed to be an annual refresh of your coaching practice - even if you’ve heard some of the episodes before, every time you listen, when you reflect back on your growth over the last academic year, you’ll be able to take something new away to apply in your practice in the next academic year. Download our free companion guide & workbook that aligns with this series at edurolearning.com/refresh Let’s Connect: Our website: coachbetter.tv EduroLearning on LinkedIn EduroLearning on Instagram EduroLearning on YouTube Subscribe to our weekly newsletter Join our #coachbetter Facebook group Learn with Kim Explore our courses for coaches Watch a FREE workshop Read more from Kim: Finding Your Path as a Woman in School Leadership (book) Fostering a Culture of Growth and Belonging: The Multi-Faceted Impact of Instructional Coaching in International Schools (chapter)
- Refresh Your Coaching Practice Series (09):Mindset: Embracing Your Informal Leadership as an Instructional Coach 2025 (00:16:37)
The topic for the ninth episode in this series is Embracing Your Informal Leadership as an Instructional Coach. This episode focuses on the essential mindset shift that educators need to make when moving into an instructional coaching role. If you enjoy this episode, you’ll love the previous episodes. Go back and listen so you can refresh your coaching practice following the three phases of the Thrive Model: Clarity, Consistency and Community. This series is designed to be an annual refresh of your coaching practice - even if you’ve heard some of the episodes before, every time you listen, when you reflect back on your growth over the last academic year, you’ll be able to take something new away to apply in your practice in the next academic year. Download our free companion guide & workbook that aligns with this series at edurolearning.com/refresh Let’s Connect: Our website: coachbetter.tv EduroLearning on LinkedIn EduroLearning on Instagram EduroLearning on YouTube Subscribe to our weekly newsletter Join our #coachbetter Facebook group Learn with Kim Explore our courses for coaches Watch a FREE workshop Read more from Kim: Finding Your Path as a Woman in School Leadership (book) Fostering a Culture of Growth and Belonging: The Multi-Faceted Impact of Instructional Coaching in International Schools (chapter)
- Refresh Your Coaching Practice Series (08): 5 Reasons Instructional Coaches are so Essential in Schools 2025 (00:14:37)
For the eighth episode in this series, the topic is 5 Reasons Instructional Coaches are Essential in Schools. This episode focuses on the essential mindset shift that educators need to make when moving into an instructional coaching role. If you enjoy this episode, you’ll love the previous episodes. Go back and listen so you can refresh your coaching practice following the three phases of the Thrive Model: Clarity, Consistency and Community. This series is designed to be an annual refresh of your coaching practice - even if you’ve heard some of the episodes before, every time you listen, when you reflect back on your growth over the last academic year, you’ll be able to take something new away to apply in your practice in the next academic year. Download our free companion guide & workbook that aligns with this series at edurolearning.com/refresh Let’s Connect: Our website: coachbetter.tv EduroLearning on LinkedIn EduroLearning on Instagram EduroLearning on YouTube Subscribe to our weekly newsletter Join our #coachbetter Facebook group Learn with Kim Explore our courses for coaches Watch a FREE workshop Read more from Kim: Finding Your Path as a Woman in School Leadership (book) Fostering a Culture of Growth and Belonging: The Multi-Faceted Impact of Instructional Coaching in International Schools (chapter)
- Refresh Your Coaching Practice Series (07): 6 Ways to Build Coaching Relationships with ALL Teachers 2025 (00:16:36)
For the seventh episode in this series, the topic is 6 Strategies to Build Relationships with ALL Teachers. This episode focuses on the third phase of Thrive Model for Sustainable Instructional Coaching: Community. To make sure you’re getting all phases of the Thrive Model, please listen to the previous episodes. This series is designed to be an annual refresh of your coaching practice - even if you’ve heard some of the episodes before, every time you listen, when you reflect back on your growth over the last academic year, you’ll be able to take something new away to apply in your practice in the next academic year. Download our free companion guide & workbook that aligns with this series at edurolearning.com/refresh Let’s Connect: Our website: coachbetter.tv EduroLearning on LinkedIn EduroLearning on Instagram EduroLearning on YouTube Subscribe to our weekly newsletter Join our #coachbetter Facebook group Learn with Kim Explore our courses for coaches Watch a FREE workshop Read more from Kim: Finding Your Path as a Woman in School Leadership (book) Fostering a Culture of Growth and Belonging: The Multi-Faceted Impact of Instructional Coaching in International Schools (chapter)
- Refresh Your Coaching Practice Series (06): 5 Ways to Build a Coaching Culture 2025 (00:20:13)
The topic for the sixth episode in this series is 5 Ways to Build a Coaching Culture. This episode focuses on the third phase of Thrive Model for Sustainable Instructional Coaching: Community. To make sure you’re getting all phases of the Thrive Model, please listen to the previous episodes. This series is designed to be an annual refresh of your coaching practice - even if you’ve heard some of the episodes before, every time you listen, when you reflect back on your growth over the last academic year, you’ll be able to take something new away to apply in your practice in the next academic year. Download our free companion guide & workbook that aligns with this series at edurolearning.com/refresh Let’s Connect: Our website: coachbetter.tv EduroLearning on LinkedIn EduroLearning on Instagram EduroLearning on YouTube Subscribe to our weekly newsletter Join our #coachbetter Facebook group Learn with Kim Explore our courses for coaches Watch a FREE workshop Read more from Kim: Finding Your Path as a Woman in School Leadership (book) Fostering a Culture of Growth and Belonging: The Multi-Faceted Impact of Instructional Coaching in International Schools (chapter)
- Refresh Your Coaching Practice Series (05): Asking Just the Right Questions as an Instructional Coach 2025 (00:19:47)
For the fifth episode of this series, our topic is Asking Just the Right Questions as an Instructional Coach. This episode focuses on the second phase of Thrive Model for Sustainable Instructional Coaching: Consistency. To make sure you’re getting all phases of the Thrive Model, please listen to the previous episodes. This series is designed to be an annual refresh of your coaching practice - even if you’ve heard some of the episodes before, every time you listen, when you reflect back on your growth over the last academic year, you’ll be able to take something new away to apply in your practice in the next academic year. Download our free companion guide & workbook that aligns with this series at edurolearning.com/refresh Let’s Connect: Our website: coachbetter.tv EduroLearning on LinkedIn EduroLearning on Instagram EduroLearning on YouTube Subscribe to our weekly newsletter Join our #coachbetter Facebook group Learn with Kim Explore our courses for coaches Watch a FREE workshop Read more from Kim: Finding Your Path as a Woman in School Leadership (book) Fostering a Culture of Growth and Belonging: The Multi-Faceted Impact of Instructional Coaching in International Schools (chapter)
- Refresh Your Coaching Practice Series (04): Top 5 Elements for an Effective Coaching Conversation 2025 (00:19:47)
The topic of episode 4 is the Top 5 Elements for an Effective Instructional Coaching Conversation. This episode focuses on the second phase of Thrive Model for Sustainable Instructional Coaching: Consistency. To learn about all three phases of the Thrive Model, please listen to the previous episodes. This series is designed to be an annual refresh of your coaching practice - even if you’ve heard some of the episodes before, every time you listen, when you reflect back on your growth over the last academic year, you’ll be able to take something new away to apply in your practice in the next academic year. Download our free companion guide & workbook that aligns with this series at edurolearning.com/refresh Let’s Connect: Our website: coachbetter.tv EduroLearning on LinkedIn EduroLearning on Instagram EduroLearning on YouTube Subscribe to our weekly newsletter Join our #coachbetter Facebook group Learn with Kim Explore our courses for coaches Watch a FREE workshop Read more from Kim: Finding Your Path as a Woman in School Leadership (book) Fostering a Culture of Growth and Belonging: The Multi-Faceted Impact of Instructional Coaching in International Schools (chapter)
- Refresh Your Coaching Practice Series (03): Three Ways to Find Clarity in Your Coaching Role 2025 (00:12:37)
The topic of our third episode is 3 Ways to Find Clarity in Your Instructional Coaching Role featuring one of our amazing The Coach Mentors, Diana Beabout. This episode focuses on the first phase of Thrive Model for Sustainable Instructional Coaching: Clarity For more about the series, and to get some background on the Thrive Model, please listen to the previous episodes. This series is designed to be an annual refresh of your coaching practice - even if you’ve heard some of the episodes before, every time you listen, when you reflect back on your growth over the last academic year, you’ll be able to take something new away to apply in your practice in the next academic year. Download our free companion guide & workbook that aligns with this series at edurolearning.com/refresh Let’s Connect: Our website: coachbetter.tv EduroLearning on LinkedIn EduroLearning on Instagram EduroLearning on YouTube Subscribe to our weekly newsletter Join our #coachbetter Facebook group Learn with Kim Explore our courses for coaches Watch a FREE workshop Read more from Kim: Finding Your Path as a Woman in School Leadership (book) Fostering a Culture of Growth and Belonging: The Multi-Faceted Impact of Instructional Coaching in International Schools (chapter)
- Refresh Your Coaching Practice Series (02): The Importance of Clarity in Your Instructional Coaching Role (and Program) 2025 (00:18:52)
This episode focuses on the first phase of Thrive Model for Sustainable Instructional Coaching: Clarity. This is the second episode in the Refresh Your Coaching Practice series. The previous episode introduces the Thrive Model - if you haven’t listened to that one yet, go back and listen so you have the framework for the entire series. This series is designed to be an annual refresh of your coaching practice - even if you’ve heard some of the episodes before, every time you listen, when you reflect back on your growth over the last academic year, you’ll be able to take something new away to apply in your practice in the next academic year. Download our free companion guide & workbook that aligns with this series at edurolearning.com/refresh Let’s Connect: Our website: coachbetter.tv EduroLearning on LinkedIn EduroLearning on Instagram EduroLearning on YouTube Subscribe to our weekly newsletter Join our #coachbetter Facebook group Learn with Kim Explore our courses for coaches Watch a FREE workshop Read more from Kim: Finding Your Path as a Woman in School Leadership (book) Fostering a Culture of Growth and Belonging: The Multi-Faceted Impact of Instructional Coaching in International Schools (chapter)
- Refresh Your Coaching Practice Series (01): Introducing the Thrive Model: Growing a Thriving Coaching Culture 2025 (00:25:04)
Our topic for episode 1 is Growing a Thriving Coaching Culture: Introducing the Thrive Model for Sustainable Instructional Coaching. This episode shares an overview of the Thrive Model for Sustainable Instructional Coaching that will set the stage for all other episodes in this series. Kim developed the Thrive Model after a decade of working with coaches and school leaders around the world. It brings together all of her own experience as an instructional coach, as well as the experiences of her clients, and all the expert guests she's interviewed on this podcast. We use this model to structure all of our courses for coaches, and in particular The Coach Certificate and Mentorship Program. You’ll get an overview of the model in this series, and how the three elements of Clarity, Consistency and Community can be used to develop and refine your individual coaching practice and your coaching program in your school. This series is designed to be an annual refresh of your coaching practice - even if you’ve heard some of the episodes before, every time you listen, when you reflect back on your growth over the last academic year, you’ll be able to take something new away to apply in your practice in the next academic year. Download our free companion guide & workbook that aligns with this series at edurolearning.com/refresh Let’s Connect: Our website: coachbetter.tv EduroLearning on LinkedIn EduroLearning on Instagram EduroLearning on YouTube Subscribe to our weekly newsletter Join our #coachbetter Facebook group Learn with Kim Explore our courses for coaches Watch a FREE workshop Read more from Kim: Finding Your Path as a Woman in School Leadership (book) Fostering a Culture of Growth and Belonging: The Multi-Faceted Impact of Instructional Coaching in International Schools (chapter)
- Refresh Your Coaching Practice Series (00): Introducing the Series 2025 (00:07:25)
Welcome to Eduro Learning's "Refresh Your Coaching Practice Series" This is a special podcast series designed to support you in refreshing your coaching practice. It’s called (you guessed it), Refresh Your Coaching Practice. This series is an opportunity for you to reflect on your current practice as well as look ahead and consider opportunities for growth. You’ll notice, as you listen, that we’re following the Thrive Model for Sustainable Instructional Coaching: with episodes on clarity, consistency, and community, so you can refresh your practice on all three elements. Download our free companion guide & workbook that aligns with this series at edurolearning.com/refresh Let’s Connect: Our website: coachbetter.tv EduroLearning on LinkedIn EduroLearning on Instagram EduroLearning on YouTube Subscribe to our weekly newsletter Join our #coachbetter Facebook group Learn with Kim Explore our courses for coaches Watch a FREE workshop Read more from Kim: Finding Your Path as a Woman in School Leadership (book) Fostering a Culture of Growth and Belonging: The Multi-Faceted Impact of Instructional Coaching in International Schools (chapter)
- #coachbetter Season 6 Recap (00:24:56)
In this #coachbetter episode, Kim wraps up season 6 and highlights one of key themes from this season of #coachbetter - the value of developing a coaching mindset among all staff members as you work towards building a coaching culture. Find the show notes for this episode here. Like this episode? You’ll enjoy: Introducing the 5 Domains of a Coaching Mindset Let’s Connect: Our website: coachbetter.tv EduroLearning on LinkedIn EduroLearning on Instagram EduroLearning on YouTube Subscribe to our weekly newsletter Join our #coachbetter Facebook group Learn with Kim Explore our courses for coaches Watch a FREE workshop Read more from Kim: Finding Your Path as a Woman in School Leadership (book) Fostering a Culture of Growth and Belonging: The Multi-Faceted Impact of Instructional Coaching in International Schools (chapter)
- Navigating Your Own Mental Capacity as an Instructional Coach (00:17:52)
As coaches we work so hard to support others that we can often forget how important it is to take care of ourselves too. But, as Cindy Tisdale-McPhee said on a very early episode of the podcast, for coaches to be present for others, they must take care of themselves first. This is a special #coachbetter collaborative episode with Kim Cofino and Diana Beabout because both of them have had an extra challenging year, and when they were chatting about how they’ve managed being at max capacity all year, they realized that some of our strategies might be helpful for you too! If you’re feeling stretched thin - or hoping to prevent that feeling - please keep watching for our 8 tips today! Find the show notes for this episode here. Like this episode, you’ll enjoy these: Coaching Case Study: The Power of Intentionally Slowing Down Coaching Conversations with Sasha Robins [Ep 238] My "Secret" Coaching Assessment One Question That Will Transform Your Coaching Practice Coaching Call: Shifting your Coaching Mindset from Problem Solving to Improving Student Learning with Vicki Heupel [260] Let’s Connect: Our website: coachbetter.tv EduroLearning on LinkedIn EduroLearning on Instagram EduroLearning on YouTube Subscribe to our weekly newsletter Join our #coachbetter Facebook group Learn with Kim Explore our courses for coaches Watch a FREE workshop Read more from Kim: Finding Your Path as a Woman in School Leadership (book) Fostering a Culture of Growth and Belonging: The Multi-Faceted Impact of Instructional Coaching in International Schools (chapter)
- Bringing a Sense of Joy to Professional Learning Through Lego Serious Play with Joel Birch (01:00:07)
In #coachbetter episode, Kim chats with Joel Birch, Certified Facilitator and Pro Trainer of LEGO Serious Play. Joel is such a pro at bringing fun, humor, creativity and play into his work. Just being in his orbit helps lighten the mood and start seeing creative possibilities you might not have noticed before. This episode is all about how to bring that kind of energy to your work - even if you’re a type A “non-creative” like me! In this episode, Joel and Kim are talking about the power of play to develop relationships how to structure the implementation of play (for type-A personalities) the impact of bringing play into a work environment the kind of environment needed to embrace play how informal leaders can bring play to their work what can go wrong when you experiment with play at work Find the show notes for this episode here. Let’s Connect: Our website: coachbetter.tv EduroLearning on LinkedIn EduroLearning on Instagram EduroLearning on YouTube Subscribe to our weekly newsletter Join our #coachbetter Facebook group Learn with Kim Explore our courses for coaches Watch a FREE workshop Read more from Kim: Finding Your Path as a Woman in School Leadership (book) Fostering a Culture of Growth and Belonging: The Multi-Faceted Impact of Instructional Coaching in International Schools (chapter)
- Advocating for Equity with Ange Molony (00:15:15)
This #coachbetter episode is a highlight from one of Kim's favorite episodes from a previous season, featuring Ange Molony, Secondary School Vice Principal at Discovery College in Hong Kong. Kim and Ange talk about how informal leaders, like instructional coaches, can advocate for equity in their school setting. Instructional coaches are fortunate to engage with so many different stakeholders throughout their work, and they may have relationships and experiences with other community members that provide insight that other formal leaders don’t have. When we have the opportunity to advocate for others, instructional coaches have a variety of pathways to start or continue that conversation. This conversation with Ange highlights her own experience in being an advocate, and may provide insight for you to consider how you do something similar in your school setting. Find the show notes for this episode here. Like this episode, you’ll enjoy these: From Coaching to Leadership with Ange Molony [Ep 190] (Full episode) Embracing Your Influential Leadership as an Instructional Coach Coaching IS Leadership Let’s Connect: Our website: coachbetter.tv EduroLearning on LinkedIn EduroLearning on Instagram EduroLearning on YouTube Subscribe to our weekly newsletter Join our #coachbetter Facebook group Learn with Kim Explore our courses for coaches Watch a FREE workshop Read more from Kim: Finding Your Path as a Woman in School Leadership (book) Fostering a Culture of Growth and Belonging: The Multi-Faceted Impact of Instructional Coaching in International Schools (chapter)
- Coaching Call: Balancing Competing Demands as a School Leader with Kathy Patton (00:56:17)
This #coachbetter episode is part of our special series featuring real-life coaching conversations with a member of our community. This conversation is with Kathy Patton, Assistant (ES) Principal at International School of Panama. HUGE thank you to Kathy for being willing to record this session to share with all of you! This episode is such a great example of the many demands of leadership - and just a single coaching conversation can help you feel hopeful and a sense of direction in moving forward. In this conversation they talk about how challenging it is for leaders to… Manage the constant shifting from one responsibility to another Rapidly shift their mindset and attitude from one setting to the next Be present in the moment when ongoing issues are lingering Process all the different conversations they have in the day, so they can be better prepared the next time around Develop sustainable strategies to reflect, process and plan for a very busy week Find the show notes for this episode here Like this episode, you’ll enjoy these: Coaching Case Study: The Power of Intentionally Slowing Down Coaching Conversations with Sasha Robins [Ep 238] My "Secret" Coaching Assessment One Question That Will Transform Your Coaching Practice Coaching Call: Shifting your Coaching Mindset from Problem Solving to Improving Student Learning with Vicki Heupel [260] Let’s Connect: Our website: coachbetter.tv EduroLearning on LinkedIn EduroLearning on Instagram EduroLearning on YouTube Subscribe to our weekly newsletter Join our #coachbetter Facebook group Learn with Kim Explore our courses for coaches Watch a FREE workshop Read more from Kim: Finding Your Path as a Woman in School Leadership (book) Fostering a Culture of Growth and Belonging: The Multi-Faceted Impact of Instructional Coaching in International Schools (chapter)
- Embracing Your Curiosity as an Instructional Coach (00:11:57)
It can often feel easier to be an expert (or a consultant) than it is to coach. Whether it’s building peer coaching skills among a full faculty, or inside The Coach with educators who are learning to be instructional coaches, or in workshops with teachers who are just learning about coaching, we all feel very comfortable in the consultancy dynamic. We’re familiar with the concept of mentoring or giving advice, and it’s easy to think that coaching is the same thing. This #coachbetter episode is about embracing your curiosity as an instructional coach - and letting go of feeling like you need to be an expert. Find the show notes for this episode here. Like this episode, you’ll enjoy these: Coaching Case Study: The Power of Intentionally Slowing Down Coaching Conversations with Sasha Robins [Ep 238] My "Secret" Coaching Assessment One Question That Will Transform Your Coaching Practice Coaching Call: Shifting your Coaching Mindset from Problem Solving to Improving Student Learning with Vicki Heupel [260] Let’s Connect: Our website: coachbetter.tv EduroLearning on LinkedIn EduroLearning on Instagram EduroLearning on YouTube Subscribe to our weekly newsletter Join our #coachbetter Facebook group Learn with Kim Explore our courses for coaches Watch a FREE workshop Read more from Kim: Finding Your Path as a Woman in School Leadership (book) Fostering a Culture of Growth and Belonging: The Multi-Faceted Impact of Instructional Coaching in International Schools (chapter)
- Celebrating the One-Year Anniversary of AAICIS (00:45:52)
In this #coachbetter episode, Kim chats with members of the team from the Association for the Advancement of Instructional Coaching in International Schools (called AAICIS), where Kim is currently serving as the Executive Director. The organization is celebrating its one-year anniversary by reflecting on its achievements since its launch in March 2024. The discussion highlights the unique support AAICIS offers to international school educators interested in or currently working in instructional coaching. The team shares how their all-volunteer, all-remote group has advanced coaching practices tailored specifically to the international school context. (For more about how AAICIS got started, check out our episode from March 2024 "Introducing the Association for the Advancement of Instructional Coaching in International Schools (AAICIS)") Listen to this episode to hear about all the work this amazing team has accomplished, including: Their successful launch in March 2024 An update on their research (to dig deeper into this check out episode 262 with Jordan Benedict) Their free resources, and what’s coming next The support they provide for coaches, leaders and schools - and why this might be valuable for YOU and your school! How to connect with AAICIS Developments on their growing team If you’re looking to join a supportive community of instructional coaches and leaders in international schools around the world who are as passionate about instructional coaching as you are, this episode (and AAICIS) is for you! Find the show notes for this episode here. Let’s Connect: Our website: coachbetter.tv EduroLearning on LinkedIn EduroLearning on Instagram EduroLearning on YouTube Subscribe to our weekly newsletter Join our #coachbetter Facebook group Learn with Kim Explore our courses for coaches Watch a FREE workshop Read more from Kim: Finding Your Path as a Woman in School Leadership (book) Fostering a Culture of Growth and Belonging: The Multi-Faceted Impact of Instructional Coaching in International Schools (chapter)
- The Importance of Intentional Conversations with Michele Mattoon (00:19:26)
This #coacbetter episode is about the importance of intentional and structured conversations. This is a highlight from one of Kim's favorite episodes from a previous season, featuring Michele Mattoon, Executive Director of the National School Reform Faculty. Recently as part of one of AAICIS Leaders Speaker Series we had Jennifer Abrams share with our community about Stretching Your Learning Edges (Jennifer has also been a guest on the podcast if you want to check out that episode), and as she said on the podcast, Jennifer highlighted how as educators we are not trained in having conversations with other adults. Having intentional and structured conversations, through the use of protocols, can really help us navigate difficult and challenging topics that, as Michele says, sometimes need “guardrails”. Because instructional coaches work with so many different stakeholders, with so many different perspectives, experiences and opinions, it’s so important for us to know how to structure conversation for productive discourse and dialogue. Protocols are one way we can do that. If protocols are new to you, make sure to check out the full episode with Michele. Once you start using protocols in your professional learning, and group conversations, you won’t go back. Find the show notes for this episode here. Like this episode, you’ll enjoy these: Coaching Case Study: The Power of Intentionally Slowing Down Coaching Conversations with Sasha Robins [Ep 238] My "Secret" Coaching Assessment One Question That Will Transform Your Coaching Practice Coaching Call: Shifting your Coaching Mindset from Problem Solving to Improving Student Learning with Vicki Heupel [260] Let’s Connect: Our website: coachbetter.tv EduroLearning on LinkedIn EduroLearning on Instagram EduroLearning on YouTube Subscribe to our weekly newsletter Join our #coachbetter Facebook group Learn with Kim Explore our courses for coaches Watch a FREE workshop Read more from Kim: Finding Your Path as a Woman in School Leadership (book) Fostering a Culture of Growth and Belonging: The Multi-Faceted Impact of Instructional Coaching in International Schools (chapter)