

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

Nov 21, 2023 • 1h 1min
Dr. Bill Sommers
Welcome back to another episode of Coaching Conversations. In this episode, I have the privilege of featuring my long-standing friend, mentor, and esteemed colleague, Bill Sommers.During our conversation, we delve into the significance of cultivating a broad and comprehensive knowledge base. Bill shares his unique approach to reading and note-taking, shedding light on the invaluable lessons he's learned from his experiences in improvisational acting classes, and how these experiences have subtly influenced his role as a principal.Dr. William A. Sommers continues to embody the essence of a perpetual learner, teacher, and educational leader. Bill's remarkable journey has seen him return from retirement multiple times, demonstrating his unwavering commitment to translating educational theories into practical realities within high schools and middle schools. His diverse career has spanned urban schools, as well as affluent suburban districts, granting him invaluable insights into cognitive coaching, adaptive schools, brain research, poverty-related challenges, habits of mind, conflict management, and classroom management strategies. Bill is also a certified Stakeholder Centered Coach by Marshall Goldsmith, further solidifying his expertise in the realm of leadership coaching.I'd love to hear your feedback about my weekly Coaching Conversations. Please consider leaving a rating or review and subscribing to our channel. To learn more about our Better Conversations Workshop, click here.

Nov 14, 2023 • 50min
Chris Munro
I'm excited for you to hear today's episode with my guest and friend, Chris Munro. Chris is the executive director of Growth Coaching International (GCI), an organization that ICG is grateful to partner with. GCI offers coaching training, coaching, and consultancy to educators worldwide. Chris has extensive experience in supporting the development of teachers and school leaders, drawn from more than 30 years in Government and Independent schools, in Higher Education, and now as a facilitator and coach based in Australia. Chris continues to coach education leaders and is an accredited Senior Practitioner with EMCC Global. He contributes to the conversational capacity of education communities across Australia and internationally through his role in the design and delivery of coaching and mentoring courses and consultancy projects. Chris led the development and delivery of The Impact Cycle Instructional Coaching course in Australia and New Zealand.He regularly writes and speaks about coaching and mentoring in education and is an active contributor on social media. Chris has co-authored book chapters on coaching cultures for learning (Munro et al., 2020) and coaching for teacher agency (Andrews & Munro, 2019), and he is currently working on a new book about coaching as a leadership stance with John Campbell and Christian van Nieuwerburgh.If this conversation has helped you in your practice, please help us by following the podcast or leaving a review or rating. To learn more about our Institutes, click here.To learn about the impact our consultants can make for your district, click here.

Nov 7, 2023 • 40min
TLC 2023 Recap
Thank you for joining me on another episode of Coaching Conversations. This episode is a special one as I recap insights shared by our TLC 2023 keynote speakers. I'm also happy to introduce you to Jessica Wise, a new consultant on the ICG team. Jessica and I will give you a detailed overview of the highlights from our annual conference, shedding light on key topics that we have found particularly instrumental in our own professional practice.Jessica's educational journey began as an elementary school teacher in Gwinnett County, Georgia. After seven years in fourth-grade classrooms, she transitioned to become an intervention teacher and instructional coach, discovering her true passion in education. Her role as a school-based instructional coach opened doors to support educators effectively. After two years in this role, she moved to the Curriculum & Instruction department, serving as a Literacy Instructional Specialist and later as a Leadership & Staff Development Instructional Coach. Jessica's passion lies in adult learning, emphasizing instructional coaching and facilitation that energizes educators.If this conversation has helped you in your practice, please help us by following the podcast or leaving a review or rating. To learn more about our Introduction to Leadership Coaching Workshop, click here.

Oct 31, 2023 • 1h 4min
Sheila Heen
Please join us on this episode of Coaching Conversations with our featured guest, Sheila Heen, the Thaddeus R. Beal Professor of Practice and Deputy Director of the Harvard Negotiation Project. Sheila is renowned for her work on difficult conversations and how to receive feedback. In this episode, Jim and Sheila explore practical strategies for improving feedback mechanisms, fostering collaboration, and enhancing interpersonal relationships in various educational settings.Sheila Heen's extensive expertise in negotiation theory and practice, honed over decades, offers a fresh perspective on the crucial role of effective communication in coaching. Join us as Sheila shares her wisdom on how to handle situations where emotions are high and relationships are strained, providing valuable insights for coaches and educators alike.Sign up for our Newsletter and stay up to date with everything ICG by clicking here.Interesting in learning how our consultants can make an impact, click here.

Oct 24, 2023 • 46min
Coaching Q&A
In this enlightening episode of Coaching Conversations, our host, Jim Knight, engages in a dynamic conversation with Brian Sepe. Together, they explore the vital topic of leveraging data effectively in the classroom.Drawing inspiration from Jim's upcoming book "Data Rules", Jim and Brian delve into the transformative role of data in shaping educational practices. This episode offers listeners valuable insights into the practical application of data-driven decision-making, illuminating how educators can harness the power of data to enhance student learning and drive instructional improvement.To learn more about our upcoming Institutes and sign up, Click here.

Oct 17, 2023 • 1h 3min
Russ Quaglia
Join us for an inspiring episode of Coaching Conversations as we welcome a distinguished guest, Russ Quaglia, the Executive Director of the Quaglia Institute for Voice & Aspirations. Russ is renowned for his unwavering commitment to nurturing student voice, and in this episode, we delve deep into the world of 'Educator Voice, Student Voice, and Instructional Coaching.'Russ Quaglia's extensive expertise in elevating student voice and aspirations brings a fresh perspective to the coaching landscape. As a dedicated advocate for empowering both educators and students, Russ's insights are invaluable. Russ shares his vision for creating inclusive and empowering learning environments, where all voices are not only heard but also valued.Jim Knight, our esteemed host and leading expert in instructional coaching, guides this captivating conversation. Together, they uncover strategies for coaches to harness the power of educator and student voices, fostering a culture of collaboration, growth, and authentic engagement in educational settings.To learn more about how the Impact cycle can improve your daily life, click here.

Oct 10, 2023 • 1h 10min
Marcia Tate, Randy Sprick, Tom Guskey
Join us for an enlightening episode of Coaching Conversations as we bring together a panel of presentation experts: Jim Knight, Marcia Tate, Tom Guskey, and Randy Sprick. In this special episode, we dive deep into the world of effective presentations and discover the secrets to captivate and inspire your audience.Our esteemed guests bring a wealth of experience to the table: Marcia Tate - Renowned education consultant and author known for her expertise in brain-compatible teaching and learning strategies.Tom Guskey - Distinguished professor and author, specializing in assessment and grading practices that drive learning. Randy Sprick - Internationally recognized expert in behavior management and author of best-selling books on school discipline.In this episode, we uncover the core principles of delivering presentations that leave a lasting impact. Our experts share strategies to engage your audience's brains, create meaningful assessments, and manage audience behavior effectively.To learn more about and join us at this years TLC Conference, click here.To learn more about how The Impact cycle can improve your daily life, click here.

Oct 2, 2023 • 38min
Marti Elford
Join us for a captivating episode of Coaching Conversations, where we bring together two instructional coaching visionaries: Jim Knight and Dr. Marti Elford. In this special partnership episode, we explore the transformative impact of instructional coaching on education.Dr. Marti Elford, Program Designer for the online High Incidence Disabilities Teacher Education Practicum program at the University of Kansas, brings her wealth of experience as a classroom teacher, reading specialist, and instructional coach to the conversation. With a Ph.D. in Special Education and expertise in using technology for teacher development, her insights are invaluable.Discover the profound influence of coaching on both pre- and in-service teachers' professional growth. Dr. Elford shares her groundbreaking work in virtual learning environments like TeachLivE and innovative technologies such as bug-in-ear feedback systems.To learn more about and join us at this years TLC Conference, click here.To learn more about how to have better conversations, click here.

Sep 26, 2023 • 46min
Coaching Q&A
Jim Knight, visionary behind the Instructional Coaching Group, answers questions about effective starting points for coaches. He discusses the power of checklists and The Impact Cycle in transforming coaching interactions and driving meaningful change in teaching practices. This episode equips both seasoned and aspiring coaches with knowledge and inspiration to positively impact students and the entire educational community.

Sep 20, 2023 • 38min
Dr. Christian Van Nieuwerburgh
Learn about Christian's pioneering work, including the widely acclaimed GROWTH coaching model and the concept of coaching supervision, and how these innovative approaches are reshaping the landscape of coaching. Whether you're a seasoned coach looking for fresh insights or simply curious about the transformative power of coaching, this episode offers valuable perspectives that will elevate your understanding of coaching's profound impact. Subscribe now to "Coaching Conversations", and stay connected with the latest insights and developments in the world of coaching!Dr. Christian van Nieuwerburgh will be a keynote speaker at TLC 2023 in Orlando. Sign up to attend in-person or virtually here. To learn more about What Administrators need to know, click here.