Episodes

Hey, team leaders! In this podcast episode we're joined AGAIN by the incredible Steve Ventura, author of Achievement Teams. This time, Steve isn't just talking about his book; he's spilling the beans on his real-life adventures implementing Achievement Teams in districts around the world! Get ready for some juicy insights as we chat about cracking the code to student achievement and hear Steve's firsthand experiences. You’ll leave this episode thinking about how to approach PLCs in a different a...

When the ground beneath us shifts, leadership must rise to the occasion. In this episode, we'll talk about the nuanced art of guiding teams through difficult situations in education. Whether it's navigating budget cuts, reorganizing teams, or grappling with disappointing outcomes, the language used by educational leaders can profoundly impact team morale and productivity. Join us as we unpack real-world scenarios, share lessons learned, and offer actionable insights for educational leaders seeki...

PLCs and DATA- two HOT topics, am I right? This week, my special guest, Jana Lee, is going to be bridging the two topics and exploring the practical applications of data-driven inquiry within professional learning communities (PLCs). From navigating the complexities of data interpretation to leveraging insights from PLC Insight Surveys, Jana shares invaluable perspectives and strategies for educators seeking to enhance their collaborative efforts and optimize student learning outcomes. It’s time...

Explore a fresh perspective on teacher empowerment with Dr. Jo Lein as she discusses the role of accountability in driving growth and fostering a culture of trust within schools. Learn practical strategies for implementing accountability measures that support rather than stifle teacher creativity and autonomy. Join us as we uncover the untapped potential of expectations in empowering educators to fulfill their professional aspirations. Dr. Jo Lein is a renowned substack writer for school leaders...

Ever wondered how to ignite a fire within your team and build collective capacity? Join me in this conversation with Courtney Morgan, Founder of The All-Access Classroom, as she shares exactly what this looks like and sounds like. In our upcoming episode, "How to Nurture Teacher Agency and Collaboration to Combat 'Fidelity Freeze'," she’ll unveil the secrets to fostering a culture where every member feels valued and empowered. If you're ready to improve your team dynamics and combat stagnation, ...

Before instructional coaches jump into planning support for our schools, it's important to figure out what kinds of support we need and how we can differentiate that for our school, teams, and individual teachers. In this episode, you'll learn from Chrissy Beltran a three step process to make a tiered plan for school-wide support. We'll talk about how to gather teacher and administration input and combine this with your own experience in classrooms to identify needs at different levels. Chrissy...

In this episode, Linda Rhyne will share about the art of translating ambitious long-term goals into tangible, actionable steps. Join us as she shares insightful strategies for breaking down goals into bite-sized increments into a 30-60-90 day timeline. These focused actions not only drive progress but also foster team alignment and motivation. Get ready to turn around these practical ideas tomorrow! Linda Rhyne is the owner of Linda Rhyne Consulting and founding president of The Reading League ...

Let's chat with Dr. Michelle D. Grewe about curriculum and assessment! Each element—like resources, standards, assessments, alignment, and strategies—can be overwhelming on its own. But when you piece them together in the right way, a clear plan forms, bringing relief to leaders and teachers. Gathering the right pieces, organizing them, and making connections is crucial for navigating this ever-changing landscape. Join this episode to see what Dr. Grewe says about connecting the dots! Michelle ...

Not sure how PLCs and coaching cycles can go hand in hand? Come join us for this cozy coffee shop conversation! Grab a seat, order your favorite cup of joe, and get ready to dive into the idea of using PLCs to brew up coaching cycles. Think of us as your friendly neighborhood baristas, serving up piping hot tips on how to create the perfect blend! Connect with Casey on⁠ Facebook⁠,⁠ Instagram⁠,⁠ LinkedIn⁠, or⁠ YouTube⁠! Want to shrink learning gaps, increase teacher capacity, and make your schoo...

In this episode, I’m joined by Bethany Rees, the visionary mind behind Leadership on the Rocks, as she unravels the essence of transforming managers into essential leaders of impact. Bethany will explore the critical role of vision in leadership and share insights into the importance of buy-in when it comes to casting a vision. Offering practical strategies, she will guide us through crafting a compelling vision and gaining buy-in, emphasizing why these elements are pivotal for team success. Joi...

Join Mike Desparrois and me in this podcast as he explores adult behavior and its influence on student behavior. We’ll dive into discussions on how adults shape educational cultures, picking up tips for positive interactions. Celebrate successes with Mike, as he shares stories showcasing the power of understanding and fostering a supportive environment in schools. Get ready for an insightful journey towards a brighter future for students and educators! For the past twenty-three years, Mike has ...

As instructional leaders, we're positioned to have crucial conversations. This isn't a bad thing. It actually can be a really great thing! But having a crucial conversation with a single individual or a whole team- one that has the potential to make great things happen- can be daunting and uncomfortable! In this episode, I'm aiming to help you remove the discomfort and replace it with confidence! You'll walk away with a strategy to implement IMMEDIATELY in your coaching and leadership conversati...

Want to hear about the core essentials that lead teachers to success? Come join me for this episode with Gretchen Bridgers, author, speaker, and leadership coach! If you are interested in improving teacher retention and making your school a place teachers WANT to be, you'll thank your lucky stars for this episode. I can't wait to hear what Gretchen has to share, including a sneak peek into her newest book! https://amzn.to/409AUCt Connect with Gretchen at Always a Lesson Listen to Gretchen's Emp...

You've got questions, I've got answers! During this episode, I'll be answering YOUR questions about PLCs and Teams. I'll address questions like, "What does an ideal agenda look like for a PLC?" and, "How do you get PLCs started?" and, "What if a certain group of teachers are resistant?" These questions, plus the ones dropped in the comments will get answered! Bonus: See who the winners are of the giveaway mentioned last week! If you notice PLCs and Teams lacking a focus, the Aligned PLCs & Tea...

Do you ever find yourself or others asking, "What is our focus for PLCs this week?" When questions like this are asked, it's a sure sign that PLCs have lost their purpose! Join this episode to learn about strategies and tools that you can turnaround and implement with PLCs immediately so they can begin the year with a solid focus and feel revitalized to do purposeful work that matters for the remainder of the year! Never again should you have to wonder what PLCs will focus on! Increase Buy-In a...

In this episode, Eric Bransteter, expert educator and leader, will be sharing some of the learning he has gained from interviewing experts on his own podcast show, The Employee Experience in Education. He claims that educators stay in organizations when they feel heard, supported, and valued- and I couldn’t agree more!! Do you want to know what this actually looks like for leaders? Join us for this episode and be prepared to turn around and implement the things Eric shares! Eric Bransteter is a...

Do you find that you have a wonderful vision and instructional goals that your school should be working toward but you can't make progress toward them because of student behaviors? No one should have to spend all of their time and energy trying to solve this problem. At the same time, if the problem continues to exist, we cannot make progress with anything else, right?! How do we approach this issue? Where do we begin? In this episode, I'm guiding you through a root cause analysis protocol that ...

In this episode, I'm joined by Steve Ventura, founder/ owner of Advanced Collaborative Solutions and author of Achievement Teams: How a Better Approach to PLCs Can Improve Student Outcomes and Teacher Efficacy. Steve will be sharing the latest findings on the transformative effects of coaching and discuss a handful of simple yet powerful strategies to elevate the work of those who find value in coaching. Join us as Steve and I dialogue around the secrets behind effective coaching and how to seam...

Principals, are you ready to multiply your impact and strengthen tier 1 instruction? Introducing your greatest secret weapon: the instructional coach! Your instructional coach has the potential to drastically move the needle on student learning, but they cannot do it alone. The principal/coach relationship is crucial for growth. In this episode, Alissa Crabtree dives into the three ways the principal and coach can join forces and build momentum! Free Masterclass: Accelerate Your Instructional C...

What if you could shift PLCs to become TEACHER-LED instead of being the one who carries the meetings? We all know that this is how it should be- that PLCs were always meant to be led by the professionals in the classroom on a daily basis. But that just isn't always the case. In fact, more often than not, instructional coaches or administrators are holding the weight of leading PLCs. Because of this, PLCs can become less meaningful to teachers and more burdensome for the leaders trying to steer t...

In this episode, we're spilling the beans on how principals can utilize instructional coaches to make their school everything they want it to be! Join us as we dive into practical tips, inspiring stories, and real-world strategies that can turn any campus into a thriving hub of learning. If you're a principal eager to unlock your school's full potential or just curious about the magic of instructional coaching, this episode is for YOU! BONUS: I'm giving a SHOUT-OUT to several principals who have...

In this episode, we open the door to a world where instructional coaches and principals are not just colleagues but collaborators on on a journey! Join us as we jump into the heart of how coaches and principals align their goals, support one another's strengths, and unlock their full potential as educational leaders. There is a great transformation that can happen when instructional coaches and principals become a united force for positive change. Whether you're an experienced coach or just sta...

"I Connected Today: Team Engagement Cards": Get ready for some fantastic team-building tips and discover how these engagement cards, created by Talesha Savage, can foster stronger connections within your group. She will be sharing the origin story of these cards and explaining how you can use them to impact teams! Connecting with Talesha www.linkedin.com/in/taleshasavage www.twitter.com/tsavageconnects www.instagram.com/tsavageconnects 34 Morale Boosters and Celebrations https://tls-ed-consult...

In this episode with Naomi Hall, the Recovering Educator, we are thinking about how to support teams that experience stress! Here are the questions we're diving into: What are factors that cause stress in teams? How does stress show up in individuals or teams? What are major indicators? Can "stress" be contagious among team members? How does stress affect team dynamics? What can an individual do to alleviate their own stress and/ or support their team that is experiencing stress? How can l...