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Coaching the Whole Educator

Coaching the Whole Educator is a podcast for instructional coaches, teacher leaders, and school leaders who want to strengthen their educators’ effectiveness and resilience, especially the ones who need it most. Each week, you’ll hear quick tips, proven strategies, and coaching mindsets designed to keep you on top of your coaching game.

This show is rooted in a human-centered approach, where we get things done through people’s humanity, not around it. Whether you’re new to instructional coaching or a seasoned instructional coach or leader looking for fresh perspective, you’ll learn how to focus on the mindsets and motivations driving unproductive behaviors. By getting to the root of resistance, you’ll discover how to build stronger relationships, lead with clarity, and create lasting impact in your school.

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Coaching the Whole Educator

#163: Coaching Through Student Learning Production Behaviors

November 16, 2025 • Becca Silver

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In this episode, Becca sits down with Steve Barkley, a pioneer in instructional coaching whose influence has shaped how educators think about growth, feedback, and collaboration. Together, they unpack what it really takes to create lasting change in classrooms; not through evaluation, but through curiosity and conversation.

Steve shares his journey from being observed every day as a student teacher to becoming one of the most respected voices in peer coaching. Along the way, he reveals a mindset shift that changed everything: great coaching isn’t about watching teachers. It’s about watching students.

You’ll hear how focusing on student actions opens new doors for learning, reflection, and impact. Becca and Steve explore how to:

→ Plan lessons and coaching sessions with student behaviors in mind
→ Use observation and questioning to drive meaningful reflection
→ Support teachers with empathy, not judgment
→ Build thriving professional learning communities that keep everyone growing

Packed with real-world insights and practical takeaways, this episode is a powerful reminder that when we focus on students first, everything else follows.

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