Send us a textDo you feel drained and uninspired at work? Wish you and your team could tap into that feeling of energized accomplishment?This episode explores the Working Genius framework, a tool that reveals your natural strengths and what energizes you. Tami Shaw and I delve into my personal Working Genius profile, highlighting my strengths in Wonder and Discernment, and...well, let's just say Tenacity and Invention present some interesting challenges. It's eye-opening to see how these stre...

Send us a textEver feel like your best-intentioned feedback falls flat? Or that some difficult conversations seem to escalate? It's time to rethink our approach. In this episode, we dig into the neuroscience of communication with the incredible Marcia Reynolds. She reveals how our brains respond to difficult conversations and how a coaching approach can shift your conversations into breakthroughs. We will shed some light on stress responses, powerful strategies and how to authentically connec...

Send us a textYour school's rewards system could be causing more harm than good. Let's talk about why it's time to look at intrinsic and extrinsic motivators and tap into your teachers' inner drive. Daniel Pink's “Drive” revealed a truth about adult motivation and unveils what truly fuels our educators. While we want our educators and students to be motivated intrinsically, we may be sabotaging those motivations by relying too heavily on extrinsic motivators. "Know your why" workshops a...

Send us a textDo you often grapple with the challenge of engaging teachers beyond mere compliance? Dr. Chris Jones, Executive Director of the Virginia ASCD, offers some powerful insight using the concept of a Continuum of Teacher Engagement. This framework highlights the importance of moving beyond buy-in to higher levels of ownership and commitment. While compliance and buy-in may seem sufficient, they fall short of the transformative power of ownership and commitment. Join us as we discuss ...

Send us a textEver wonder how some schools just seem to have it all figured out? It’s not about special circumstances. It’s about the people – the teachers. And according to Dr. Shannon Lafargue, the key to unlocking their full potential lies in fostering a culture of collective teacher efficacy with a strong coaching growth culture.In this episode we will discuss how Dr. LaFargue created a supportive environment where teachers felt empowered, valued, and inspired to do their best work. It’s ...

Send us a textThis is part of our *BEST OF* Series, where we highlight the most downloaded episodes of all time.In this episode, Becca dives into an intriguing conversation with Chanavia Patterson, affectionately known as Principal Patterson, on the powerful concept of "listening for what's not being said" in school culture. Discover the secrets behind understanding underlying messages, emotions, and nonverbal cues to foster a thriving school climate and increase teacher retention. From activ...

Send us a textDo you know the difference between motivation and engagement? Dr. Jason Jones, author of the book "Activator," is on a mission to revolutionize leadership. He's all about applying the latest brain research to create more effective and engaging workplaces.Jones dives deep into the psychology of motivation and engagement, explaining that it's more than just getting people to show up. By understanding the science behind human behavior, we can create environments that foster peak pe...

Send us a textIn this episode we explore a fascinating research-based concept called neural entrainment. Think about those times when you're talking to a teacher and it feels like you're on completely different wavelengths. It's highly possible that neural entrainment isn't happening.By understanding how your brain waves work in neural entrainment, you can become a more effective communicator, build stronger relationships, and create a more positive and productive learning environment for eve...

Send us a textEver felt like you're on a hamster wheel, running and running but never getting anywhere? It's time to hit the reset button. Penny Zenker, author of The Reset Mindset, is here to level up the growth mindset approach. It's time for a dynamic, flexible approach that can keep up with our ever-changing day to day in our schools.Reset Mindset is about intentionality, flexibility, and a constant willingness to reassess. It's like saying, "Okay, this isn't working. Let's try something ...

Send us a textLet's talk about change management. As educators, we know that change is a constant. But how can we effectively navigate it and ensure buy-in from our teams? That's where the ADKAR model comes in. It's a framework that helps organizations build momentum and sustain change. ADKAR can help you to drive successful change in your school. Join us as we talk through the AKCAR framework and provide information on how you can create a culture of continuous improvement and drive authenti...

Send us a textIn this episode, Becca and Gretchen Bridgers address the 4th and final phase of resistance in educators, requiring accountability. Becca and Gretchen walk you through specific things to say (and not to say) to help you navigate the hard conversations around keeping educators accountable. This must-hear discussion explains how to first build a trustworthy relationship to make educators with resistance feel valued, and how to give educators a voice in the process of breaking throu...

Send us a textIn this episode, Dr. Jacy Ippolito and I discuss a wide range of coaching topics! Here are the key points:Isolation of Coaches and Leaders: Many coaches and leaders feel isolated due to the lack of clear roles and a sense of needing to be the "hero." This isolation can hinder effectiveness.The Coaching Continuum: The concept of "levels of coaching intensity" is introduced. These levels range from building relationships (Level 1) to analyzing practice (Level 2) to transforming pr...

Send us a textIn this episode, Becca and Mia discuss the third level of resistance: when educators don't feel competent enough to implement the change. They discuss the varying reasons why the resistance happens on this level. In addition, they share strategies on how to build capacity in a building where teachers feel safe and confident to take risks and try new things (including new changes). BEGINNING OF SCHOOL YEAR SPECIAL**25% Off Discount**Breaking Through Resistance and Buil...

Send us a textHave you ever found yourself caught in the whirlwind of conflict, feeling overwhelmed and unsure of how to navigate the turbulent waters? In this Research Rundown we review the complexities of conflict handling in educational settings. Research points out five primary approaches to conflict. Listen in to find out your primary styles and to start to identify the main styles of your colleagues and leaders! Additional Resources:Conflict-Management Styles: Pitfalls and Best Pr...

Send us a textIn this episode Becca and Melissa (Mia) Pumo, coach of school leadership and instructional coaches, discuss the 2nd level of resistance: they resist change because they don't trust you. Remember- just because you consider yourself trustworthy, doesn't mean they trust you. Without trust, no amount of clarifying expectations and holding teachers accountable will help. A lack of trust means you will get pushback the whole way through the change. A trusting relationship makes change...

Send us a textEver feel overwhelmed by your coaching load? Feeling lost and unsure where to start? You're not alone. In this episode we chat with Jeff Bradbury and he gets it! We discuss the importance of having a system in place to streamline your tasks and boost your coaching effectiveness. We highlight the challenges coaches face in juggling staff interactions, projects, and goals. The key to overcoming this is building a strong organizational system. By having a system, you can avoi...

Send us a textBecca and Mia Pumo kick off a 4 part series on how to address resistance utilizing a 4 part framework. In this episode, they dive into the first level of resistance: when educators resist because they don't understand why the change is happening. Often, leaders are connected to why change is happening and it is assumed that teachers are connected to that why as well. Becca and Mia share concrete action steps to take that will empower you to address educators that are resis...

Send us a textIn this episode, I'm diving deep into the world of motivation theories. We'll explore Self-Determination Theory and Basic Desires Theory, two powerful frameworks introduces the concept of 16 fundamental desires that shape our actions. There are some unexpected motivations shared!Get ready to gain a deeper understanding of motivation and learn how to apply these theories in your coaching practice. This episode is packed with practical insights for coaches and leaders who want to ...

Send us a textHave you ever felt like someone was saying one thing, but their body was telling a completely different story? That’s the power of nonverbal communication.Veronica Love Olalla, CEO of Newfield Network, discusses what we intend to say and what our bodies actually broadcast. Our bodies are the front lines of communication. It's not just about what you say, but how you say it – the tilt of your head, the flicker of your eyes, the subtle shift of your weight. These silent signals ca...

Send us a textBEGINNING OF YEAR SPECIAL**25% Off Discount** "Breaking Through Resistance and Building Buy-In Can you believe it? One hundred episodes of in-depth knowledge on how best to reach YOUR teachers! This episode is a little different. We're taking a victory lap through some of MY favorite moments from the past hundred episodes. We're talking GROWTH MINDSET gold, the power of LISTENING, and some invaluable strategies to finally BREAK THROUGH RESISTANCE and get those amazing teachers o...

Send us a text**Beginning of Year Special**Breaking Through Resistance and Building Buy InReach out soon to get on our calendar!Feeling drained and overwhelmed by the stressful demands of coaching and leadership? You're not alone. Juggling endless demands, high-stakes expectations, and the well-being of your school community can be overwhelming. In this episode we discuss transforming stress into your greatest strength with resilience expert Constant Hine. We're talking about practical ...

Send us a textIn this episode, Becca dives deep into the concept of learning mindsets. While growth mindset has been a popular focus, research shows that it's just one piece of a larger puzzle. To truly support teacher and student growth, instructional coaches and school leaders must consider four essential mindsets: belonging, growth mindset, self-efficacy, and value & purpose.The episode emphasizes the importance of understanding these mindsets within the hierarchy of learner needs. Bef...

Send us a Text Message.We often grapple with balancing the demands of supporting teacher growth while navigating limited resources and competing priorities. In conversation with Linda Rhyne, we explore these challenges and introduce a comprehensive framework for assessing coaching practices. This framework examines four key areas: people, process, product, and culture. By identifying strengths and weaknesses, coaches can optimize their impact on teacher development and student outcomes.Beyond...

Send us a Text Message.Do you, as school leaders and instructional coaches, find yourselves struggling to bridge the gap between our well-intentioned educational goals and the realities of student learning and teacher development that hinder achieving those goals? This disconnect can stem from a clash between two different types of commitments: stated and competing commitments that impact our everyday school life.There is a key reason this gap exists: unconscious mindsets and beliefs that can...