245. A Humanizing Approach to Coaching with Dr. Jacobē Bell

What does it look like to coach teachers with humanity, curiosity, and care—especially in today’s demanding educational landscape?

In this episode of the Time for Teachership podcast, Lindsay welcomes back Dr. Jacobē Bell to explore what it truly means to take a humanizing approach to instructional coaching. Drawing on her experience coaching instructional coaches across multiple contexts, Dr. Bell shares practical strategies, mindset shifts, and real coaching moments that help educators grow while protecting their wellbeing.

This conversation is part of a mini-series focused on supporting instructional coaches, particularly those who step into the role without formal preparation and are learning “by fire.”

What You’ll Learn in This Episode/Key Takeaways 

• • • • Humanizing Coaching

        • Coaching is not just about instruction—it’s also about emotional awareness, wellness, and meeting educators where they are.

        • Coaches can balance accountability with care by centering teachers as co-producers of knowledge.

      • Afrofuturism, Freedom Dreaming & Coaching

        • Dr. Bell connects Afrofuturism to instructional coaching by imagining a future where educators experience wellness, contentment, and sustainability.

        • A powerful vision: coaching that empowers educators without burning them out.

      • Mindset Shifts from Teacher to Coach

        • Moving from classroom teaching to coaching requires seeing the whole system, not just individual practice.

        • Coaches must navigate adult belief systems, values about students, and differing perspectives—often without making everyone happy.

      • Micro-Modeling as a Coaching Strategy

        • Instead of modeling an entire lesson, Dr. Bell advocates for micro-modeling:

          • Coaches model a short instructional move

          • Teachers immediately practice it with students

          • Coaches give real-time feedback

        • This approach helps shift beliefs about student ability and leads to immediate, tangible growth.

      • Surfacing Beliefs with Curiosity

        • Strategies for navigating hard conversations:

          • Reflecting teachers’ words back to them

          • Asking open, curiosity-driven questions

          • Lowering defensiveness by naming uncertainty or even “blaming” your coaching

        • Assuming best intentions opens the door to vulnerability and growth.

      • Live Coaching with Care

        • Live coaching can include gently interrupting or questioning moments of instruction—but only after trust and norms are established.

        • Asking teachers how they prefer to be coached is a critical first step.

      • Authenticity Over One-Size-Fits-All

        • There is no single “right” way to coach.

        • Effective coaching grows from authenticity, relationships, and listening—not rigid formulas.

      • Sustainability & Change Management

        • Dr. Bell shares her current learning focus on sustaining change in schools over time.

        • Sustainable improvement requires planning for longevity from day one—not just short-term wins.

Timestamps

[00:00] Welcome & reintroduction of Dr. Jacobē Bell
[01:00] Coaching as “baptism by fire” & the need for coach-specific professional learning
[02:04] Dr. Bell’s background coaching instructional coaches across contexts
[02:35] Afrofuturism, freedom dreaming, and instructional coaching
[03:55] Initiative fatigue, educator wellness, and a humanizing coaching vision
[05:17] Teachers as co-producers of knowledge in coaching conversations
[05:58] Shifting from a teacher mindset to a coach mindset
[06:33] Coaching former peers & navigating leadership tensions
[07:21] Seeing instruction systemically across teams and schools
[08:29] Beliefs, values, and meeting students’ needs through coaching
[09:15] Practical coaching tools & action steps
[10:29] Micro-modeling as a powerful coaching strategy
[11:52] Shifting beliefs about “harder” or “lower” students through practice
[13:21] Real-time feedback and immediate teacher implementation
[15:11] Logistical realities: making micro-modeling work in real schools
[16:48] Flexibility in coaching cycles and time constraints
[18:00] Surfacing values and beliefs in coaching conversations
[19:04] Reflecting teacher language back to them as a coaching move
[20:00] Lowering defensiveness by “blaming the coaching”
[21:02] Vulnerability, honesty, and seeing the whole teacher
[22:29] Assuming best intentions and leading with curiosity
[23:17] Live coaching moments & addressing problematic language in the classroom
[24:42] Establishing norms for live coaching
[25:23] Entry points for new instructional coaches
[26:19] Authenticity over one-size-fits-all coaching approaches
[27:47] Rapport, relationships, and trust as the foundation of coaching
[28:12] What Dr. Bell is learning now: sustainability & change management
[29:32] Where to connect with Dr. Jacobē Bell
[29:42] Closing reflections & gratitude

Get Your Episode Freebie & More Resources On My Website: https://www.lindsaybethlyons.com/blog/245

Connect With Guest Dr. Jacobē Bell: 

• LinkedIn: Dr. Jacobē Bell