Leaders Lounge

The Importance of Visibility

Dana Murphy shares the importance of high visibility for reading interventionists and other instructional influencers in non-classroom positions.

Overcorrecting

“Did I do anything right?” Suzy Kaback receives a note from a gifted teacher that gives her pause. Suzy wonders if avoiding praise is damaging her relationships with teachers. She decides to give more feedback for continuation, which is praise’s smarter cousin for coaches.

Planning for PD in the Company of Teachers

Heather Fisher brainstorms with teachers to get the “big picture” of what makes a professional development experience exceptional.

Coaching Minute: Get Out of Your Office

David Pittman encourages instructional coaches to get out of the office in the early days of the school year. H offers several practical suggestions for how to set the tone for healthy relationships.

When Harsh Words Are Said: Ways to Move Forward

Tara Barnett and Kate Mills offer sound advice and practical actions to maintain collaborative relationships when harsh words are spoken in professional settings.

Rethinking Flow in the ELA Classroom

When students are empowered to make decisions, they value the learning experience and take ownership of the outcomes. Matt Renwick turns to the concept of flow and imagines its importance for engaging readers and writers.

Tough Conversations

Engaging in conflict is challenging, especially since there is no guarantee that we will get the results we want. Yet, it is an expected part of literacy leadership. Julie Cox inspires us to step through conversations in ways that strengthens understandings and preserves relationships.

Design for the Edges: Strategies for Supporting Unique Readers and Writers

The phrase “design for the edges” is about creating more inclusive and welcoming spaces for all students. Matt Renwick pushes us to consider what this looks like in classrooms where all readers and writers are honored.

Swarm: Embracing the Unexpected

Gwen Blumberg is a beekeeper and when her bees began swarming, she sprung into action to collect her bees before they disappeared. In this reflective essay, Gwen recognizes how embracing the unexpected happens daily in our lives as educators. If you are feeling unsettled because of unexpected situations, you’ll find Gwens tips exactly what you need to move forward.

Coaching Minute: Six-Week Coaching Cycle

Jean Russell explains the expectations for a six-week coaching cycle.

Embarking on a New Curriculum: What I Must Carry with Me

Heather Fisher is candid about her hesitation in embarking on a new literacy curriculum, as well as her commitment to continue living into her core values. She inspires all of us to lead with integrity by holding on to moments of self-reflection.

Coaching Minute: Supporting New Teachers

Principal Lee Snider talks about the challenges new teachers face and how principals can support them.

Teacher Booklist

Julie Cox offers a unique booklist compiled of non-education books that strengthened her literacy leadership skills.

Pedagogical Clarity in a Time of Changes

Stella Villalba encourages us to reflect on our core beliefs about teaching. She offers a list of reflection questions to encourage brave and meaningful consideration.

Hope

Hannah Tills digs into the science of hope and offers practical ways to use hope to uplift our professional learning.

Coaching Minute: Assisting Struggling Teachers by Being Focused

Principal Lee Snider talks about how principals can support struggling teachers by keeping the focus on instruction.

Benefits and Challenges of Using AI as a Coach

Matt Renwick offers three ways ChatGPT can support the work of instructional coaches.

Building on Success and Maintaining Momentum

Coaching Minute: Wearing (Too) Many Hats

Inga Omondi encourages instructional coaches to consider the many hats they wear and to remove the ones that are not serving the greater good.

When Coaching Fails: How to Help Educators Who Resist Help

Matt Renwick digs into the reasons educators are resistant to change and offers advice for next steps when it seems like coaching has failed.

Coaching Through a New Program

Josie Stewart and Hannah Tills compare embarking on a new curriculum program to a journey to a new country. Their “travel tips” and encouragement will position instructional coaches to navigate the new program.