

Coaching Conversations with Jim Knight
Instructional Coaching Group
Jim Knight is the founder of The Instructional Coaching Group, a professional development provider dedicated to offering PD for coaches, teachers, and leaders based on a partnership approach that creates better learning environments for all students. As a research associate at the University of Kansas Center for Research on Learning Jim has spent 25 years studying professional learning and instructional coaching. He earned his PhD in Education from the University of Kansas and has won several university teaching, innovation, and service awards. The pioneering work Jim and his colleagues have conducted has led to many innovations that are now central to professional development in schools. Jim wrote the first major article about instructional coaching for the Journal of Staff Development, and his book Instructional Coaching (2007) offered the first extended description of instructional coaching. Jim has written several books in addition to those described above, including the bestsellers Unmistakable Impact (2011), High-Impact Instruction (2013), Focus on Teaching (2014), Better Conversations (2015), The Impact Cycle (2018), and The Definitive Guide to Instructional Coaching (2021). He has also authored articles featured in Educational Leadership, The Journal of Staff Development, Principal Leadership, The School Administrator, and Kappan.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Mar 11, 2025 • 37min
Art Costa & Bob Garmston
In this episode of Coaching Conversations, I sit down with two incredible educational leaders, Art Costa and Bob Garmston. Our discussion delves into the deep connections between cognition, emotion, and action in learning—something I’ve always believed is essential for meaningful growth.Art shares his insights on fostering resilience in students, while Bob emphasizes the importance of agency and collective efficacy in shaping strong learning communities. This episode is especially meaningful as we celebrate Art and Bob as recipients of the Don Deshler Leadership Award, recognizing their incredible contributions to education. At its core, our conversation reinforces the urgent need for holistic student development and learning spaces where everyone—students, teachers, and leaders—can thrive.Thank you for being a part of our community. Feedback: We love hearing from you! Leave us a rating or comment to let us know what you think.Stay Connected: Follow our podcast for more episodes packed with insights and inspiration.Learn more about System Support: What Administrators Need to Know About Coaching: https://shorturl.at/P5BcT

Mar 4, 2025 • 39min
Frederick Brown
In this episode, I had the pleasure of interviewing Frederick Brown, CEO and President of Learning Forward. We delved into the evolution of professional learning standards and the pivotal role of coaching in implementing new educational practices. Frederick shared insights into Learning Forward’s history, its advocacy for effective professional learning systems, and the crucial importance of standards in guiding educators.Our conversation highlighted the necessity for continuous improvement, the vital support of leadership, and the integration of coaching into professional learning. We wrapped up the episode with a discussion on the resources and tools available through Learning Forward to enhance educators’ professional growth.Thank you for being a part of our community. Feedback: We love hearing from you! Leave us a rating or comment to let us know what you think.Stay Connected: Follow our podcast for more episodes packed with insights and inspiration.Learn more about Consulting: https://shorturl.at/2U0TqLearn more about the Intensive Instructional Coaching Institute:https://shorturl.at/7QhTP

Feb 25, 2025 • 40min
Coaching Q&A
In this episode of the “Coaching Conversations” podcast, Jessica Weiss and I delve into the complexities of coaching dialogues. We emphasize the importance of choosing the right type of conversation to promote learning and growth. Together, we unpack the differences between directive, facilitative, and dialogical approaches, highlighting the necessity for clarity and intentionality in our communication.Thank you for being a part of our community. Feedback: We love hearing from you! Leave us a rating or comment to let us know what you think.Stay Connected: Follow our podcast for more episodes packed with insights and inspiration.Learn more about Radical Learners: https://www.radicallearners.com?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=allrlLearn more about the Intensive Instructional Coaching Institute:https://www.instructionalcoaching.com/workshop/instructional-coaching-institutes/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=ksiicijan25

Feb 18, 2025 • 24min
Shannon Panfilio-Padden

Feb 11, 2025 • 37min
Jeff Wetzler
In this episode of Coaching Conversations, I had the pleasure of engaging with Jeff Wetzler, author of "Ask: Tap into the Hidden Wisdom of People Around You for Unexpected Breakthroughs in Leadership and Life,” and co-founder of Transcend. We delved into the critical roles of curiosity, psychological safety, and high-quality questions in leadership and education. Jeff introduced his ASK approach, which emphasizes fostering curiosity, creating safe environments, and posing insightful questions to unlock hidden wisdom. Thank you for being a part of our community. Feedback: We love hearing from you! Leave us a rating or comment to let us know what you think.Stay Connected: Follow our podcast for more episodes packed with insights and inspiration.Learn more about Jim Knight's 1:1 Impact Coaching: https://www.instructionalcoaching.com/workshop/jim-knights-1-1-impact-coaching/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=1to1coachingLearn more about the One Fine Bird Book Club:https://www.instructionalcoaching.com/book-club/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=ofbbookclub25

Feb 4, 2025 • 42min
Dr. Nancy Dome
In this episode of "Coaching Conversations," I had the pleasure of hosting Dr. Nancy Dome, who brought to light the critical role of compassionate dialogue when tackling sensitive issues like race. Dr. Dome underscored the necessity of self-awareness and emotional regulation to navigate these challenging conversations effectively. She introduced the REAR protocol—Recognize, Engage, Acknowledge, and Repair—as a powerful framework to foster understanding and connection. Throughout our discussion, we emphasized the importance of grace, empathy, and open dialogue in bridging societal divides.Thank you for being a part of our community. Feedback: We love hearing from you! Leave us a rating or comment to let us know what you think.Stay Connected: Follow our podcast for more episodes packed with insights and inspiration.Learn more about the Better Conversations workshop: https://www.instructionalcoaching.com/workshop/better-conversations/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=bcmar25Learn more about the Managing Challenging Conversations workshop:https://www.instructionalcoaching.com/workshop/managing-challenging-conversations/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=mccfeb25

Jan 28, 2025 • 44min
Coaching Q&A
In this episode of the “Coaching Conversations” podcast, I had the pleasure of discussing my doctoral research and the development of the seven partnership principles with Jessica Weiss. We emphasized the importance of creating supportive environments for educators through effective coaching practices. Key themes we explored included the significance of choice, voice, and dialogue in fostering professional growth. I shared personal anecdotes and insights, highlighting the need for reflection and continuous improvement in coaching. We concluded the episode with a call to action for educators to lead meaningful coaching conversations.Thank you for being a part of our community. Feedback: We love hearing from you! Leave us a rating or comment to let us know what you think.Stay Connected: Follow our podcast for more episodes packed with insights and inspiration.Learn more about the One Fine Bird Book Club: https://www.instructionalcoaching.com/book-club/Learn more about the Intensive Instructional Coaching Institute:https://www.instructionalcoaching.com/workshop/instructional-coaching-institutes/

Jan 21, 2025 • 39min
Rob Walker
Rob Walker, a journalist and author of "The Art of Noticing," discusses the power of awareness in enhancing our lives. He shares practical exercises to help reclaim focus amidst distractions, fostering creativity and emotional well-being. Rob highlights the significance of intentional noticing in deepening connections and boosting empathy. He offers valuable tips like engaging in active listening and appreciating the everyday miracles around us, advocating for a balanced life that nurtures both productivity and meaningful experiences.

Jan 14, 2025 • 37min
Margarita Calderon
In this episode of Coaching Conversations, I’m joined by Dr. Margarita Calderón, a researcher at Johns Hopkins University to dive into the crucial role of coaching for multilingual learners. We discuss effective instructional strategies, the unique challenges educators face, and the importance of using evidence-based practices to support these students.Dr. Calderón shares inspiring success stories from her work, demonstrating how targeted coaching can have a tremendous impact on both educators and multilingual learners. Through her insights, it’s clear that coaching isn’t just beneficial—it’s essential for creating lasting change in the classroom.We also talk about the importance of continuous professional development for coaches themselves. As coaches, we must constantly evolve, just as the students and educators we support do. The episode underscores the urgent need for effective, sustained support for multilingual learners—because when we equip our educators with the right tools and coaching, we set up all students for success.This conversation highlights not only the power of coaching but the necessity of prioritizing professional growth to address the needs of multilingual students in our classrooms. The work we do as coaches isn’t just about improving instruction—it’s about making sure every student has the support they deserve to thrive.Thank you for being a part of our community. Feedback: We love hearing from you! Leave us a rating or comment to let us know what you think.Stay Connected: Follow our podcast for more episodes packed with insights and inspiration.Learn more about the Impact Cycle workshop: https://www.instructionalcoaching.com/workshop/the-impact-cycle/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=icjan25Learn more about the Instructional Coaching Planner:https://instructional-coaching-group.myshopify.com/products/the-instructional-coaching-planner-pdf-download-2025

Jan 7, 2025 • 39min
Mary Webb + Susie Vaughan
In this episode of Coaching Conversations, we dive deep into the transformative power of coaching in educational leadership. I’m joined by two incredible colleagues, Mary Webb and Susie Vaughn, to explore how coaching can drive meaningful change in schools.As co-founder of the Instructional Coaching Group, I’m passionate about the idea that coaching isn’t just for teachers—it’s a critical tool for building leadership capacity at all levels. In this conversation, we talk about what effective coaching looks like, how it empowers leaders to thrive, and why it’s essential for creating lasting impact in our schools.Mary brings a powerful perspective on the evolving role of principals. Rather than seeing themselves as the sole decision-makers, she advocates for a shift toward leaders who empower and support their teams to take ownership of their work. It’s about creating a culture where everyone has the space and support to grow.Susie, a certified coach and former principal, shares her experience in building coaching cultures that prioritize reflection, trust, and collaboration. Her insights focus on the importance of developing leaders who are equipped to guide others, and she underscores the value of creating a supportive environment where coaching can thrive.This episode is a deep dive into the heart of coaching—how it can help leaders reflect, listen, and create environments where everyone has the opportunity to flourish. It’s about more than just improving skills; it’s about transforming schools into communities where growth is a shared experience.Thank you for being a part of our community. Feedback: We love hearing from you! Leave us a rating or comment to let us know what you think.Stay Connected: Follow our podcast for more episodes packed with insights and inspiration.Learn more about Introduction to Leadership Coaching: https://www.instructionalcoaching.com/workshop/introduction-to-leadership-coaching/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=ilcjan25Learn more about Consulting:https://www.instructionalcoaching.com/instructional-coaching-program/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=consulting