Steve Barkley Ponders Out Loud

Epizode

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  Professional Learning: A Key Element of an Eco System for School Change 30.07.2026 30min

  If professional learning for educators is going to generate increased learning success for students, it needs to be an environment, not an event. Dr. Marisa Ramirez Stukey, co-author of, "Professional Learning Redefined: An Evidence-Based Guide," shares key elements of effective professional learning and the necessary commitments needed from administrators, instructional coaches, and teachers. Visit The Reading League website and get in touch with Dr. Stukey here. Subscribe to the Steve Barkley Ponders Out Loud podcast on iTunes or visit BarkleyPD.com to find new episodes!
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  Teachers Engaging with Instructional Coaches to Start the Year 23.07.2026 15min

  In many schools, it isn’t common to find teachers exploring possibilities and reflecting on observations with instructional coaches early in the school year. Perhaps there is a view that coaching is problem-solving and the idea that coaching around designing is being missed. Hear an example of what that coaching around a teacher’s early planning might sound like. Find Dan Steele’s post here. Subscribe to the Steve Barkley Ponders Out Loud podcast on iTunes or visit BarkleyPD.com to find new episodes!  
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  The Multiplier Coach: Spotting, Naming, and Growing Teacher Talent 16.07.2026 17min

  Multipliers, as Liz Wiseman identified ("Multipliers - How the Best Leaders Make Everyone Smarter") don't simply recognize talent—they help it grow and spread. Perhaps that's one of the most important roles of an instructional coach. Rather than identifying what teachers are missing, coaches are on the prowl for the capabilities that are already emerging. Noticing them, naming them and creating opportunities for those talents to become even more powerful and, ultimately, benefit colleagues and students beyond a single classroom. Watch the Positive Psychology in Coaching and Professional Practices video (from Growth Coaching International) here. Subscribe to the Steve Barkley Ponders Out Loud podcast on iTunes or visit BarkleyPD.com to find new episodes!
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  Why Teacher Conversations Matter More Than Meetings 09.07.2026 19min

  Teacher to teacher conversations are powerful when they expose us to perspectives we would not generate on our own. Left to ourselves, we tend to revisit familiar assumptions, interpretations, and solutions. We think within the boundaries of our current mental models. Dialogue creates the opportunity for those mental models to be challenged, refined, or expanded. How do instructional coaches, teacher leaders, and administrators support those dialogues? Listen to Naquin’s podcast, "What educators should know when talking with one another" here. Subscribe to the Steve Barkley Ponders Out Loud podcast on iTunes or visit BarkleyPD.com to find new episodes!
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  Learning with Wow, Awe, and Wonder 02.07.2026 33min

  Michael Hernandez, the author of, "Storytelling With Purpose: Digital Projects to Ignite Student Curiosity" and "The Uncheatable Assessment Course," shares insights on authentic learning. How can we create learning tasks and assessments that encourage and strengthen students' curiosity - supporting them in becoming engaged and inquisitive scholars and citizens. Read Michael's article, When Assignments Invite Wonder here. Find his book, "Storytelling With Purpose: Digital Projects to Ignite Student Curiosity" here. Find the Uncheatable Assessments Course here.  Contact Michael: LinkedIn | Instagram | michael@storytelling-with-purpose.com Subscribe to the Steve Barkley Ponders Out Loud podcast on iTunes or visit BarkleyPD.com to find new episodes!
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  Wandering and Wondering for All Learners 25.06.2026 33min

  "It’s time to treat curiosity as the superpower it is. We can build students’ ability to use this learning power by giving them the tools, time, and encouragement to wield it effectively." Dr. Teresa Hill, the superintendent of South Holland Schools in Illinois and the author of, "The Instructional Leaders Guide to Closing Achievement Gaps: Five Keys for Improving Student Outcomes," highlights the “why and how” to empower learning with curiosity. Curiosity is a key to her motto, "All children can learn….. Period." Read Dr. Hill's ASCD article, "Curiosity Is a Superpower" here. Find Dr. Hill on LinkedIn here. Subscribe to the Steve Barkley Ponders Out Loud podcast on iTunes or visit BarkleyPD.com to find new episodes!
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  Building Your Coaching Impact: Confidence, Communication, Connections 18.06.2026 36min

  Leadership coach for educators and business leaders, Julie Schniers, shares her insights around coaching others to create opportunities for growth, self- discovery, increased confidence, and a focus to accomplish their goals. She focusses on the importance of communication, connections, and confidence. Coaching curiosity is a key. Visit Julie's website and connect here.     Subscribe to the Steve Barkley Ponders Out Loud podcast on iTunes or visit BarkleyPD.com to find new episodes!
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  Supporting Teacher Wellbeing 11.06.2026 42min

  Keith Young, a co-author of, "The Teaching Strategy Handbook: 200+ Solutions for Common Classroom Challenges," explores the strategies from the book’s Chapter 8, "Teacher Burnout and Stress." Keith shares the practices individual teachers can implement as well as the roles that teacher leaders, instructional coaches and administrators can play in support of teachers. The impact that effective PLCs can play is highlighted. Coaches can support teachers in exploring “circles of influence” as a way of focusing energy investment. Having options addressed throughout "The Teaching Strategy Handbook" support teacher wellbeing. Listen to Keith’s earlier podcast, "Observing and Coaching Classroom Management" here.  Visit Keith's website and get in touch here.  Subscribe to the Steve Barkley Ponders Out Loud podcast on iTunes or visit BarkleyPD.com to find new episodes!
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  A Coaching Model of Coachability 04.06.2026 19min

  It’s rather clear to most people that to be an effective coach one needs an appropriate mindset for investing in the growth of others and a set of listening and verbal skills for coaching conferencing. Less often considered are the mindsets and skills needed to gain from coaching input. We might label it as one’s coachability. Robyn Vierra, the Teaching and Learning Coordinator at the American School in New Delhi, shares her experiences with being coached. Consider your coachability as you hear Robyn’s story. Connect with Robyn: rvierra@aes.ac.in Find the Instructional Coaching Micro-Credential Program here. Subscribe to the Steve Barkley Ponders Out Loud podcast on iTunes or visit BarkleyPD.com to find new episodes!
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  Real Objects, Curiosity, and Inquiry 28.05.2026 35min

  Tania Lattanzio from Innovative Global Education examines the impact of real objects and the real environment on student learning: When real objects and real environments are the starting point: Curiosity leads the learning. Questioning feels purposeful. Wonder is protected. Understanding grows from evidence. It communicates that learning is not about receiving information, but about making sense of the world. Honoring students as thinkers. Visit the Innovative Global Education website and connect with Tania here. Subscribe to the Steve Barkley Ponders Out Loud podcast on iTunes or visit BarkleyPD.com to find new episodes!
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  Building Teachers' Trust for AI Adoption 21.05.2026 28min

  Roney Nascimento, an IB Diploma Mathematics Teacher and AI solutions developer describes his response to this insight. "Teachers weren’t avoiding AI because they didn’t understand it. They were avoiding it because they didn’t trust it or trust themselves to use it responsibly. They were skeptical and wary."   Gain insights for your professional learning design both in and out of technology adoption. Read Roney's ASCD article here. Find Roney's book, "Generative AI for Teachers: A Practical Guide to Educational Technology" here. Subscribe to the Steve Barkley Ponders Out Loud podcast on iTunes or visit BarkleyPD.com to find new episodes!
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  Coaching Around the Fidelity Question 14.05.2026 15min

  Have you heard this from school leaders? “We invested heavily in this new curricular program. Teachers were invited to give input during the decision-making process. Resources were purchased. Training was completed. Expectations were communicated. We all want greater consistency across classrooms and stronger outcomes for students. So why aren’t teachers implementing the program with fidelity?” Fidelity to purpose that engages teachers as professional partners is likely necessary. Subscribe to the Steve Barkley Ponders Out Loud podcast on iTunes or visit BarkleyPD.com to find new episodes!  
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  The Intersection of Curriculum, Technology, and People to Deliver Learning Outcomes 07.05.2026 25min

  Sari Factor, the Vice Chair and Chief Strategy Officer at Imagine Learning, explores the intersection of curriculum, technology, and people. These questions are explored: What makes a curriculum high quality? How can technology best support the teaching and learning process? What role might AI play in extending this intersection? How should schools be considering the questions around screen time? What role do instructional coaches and school leaders have in supporting high quality learning? Visit the Imagine Learning website here.     Subscribe to the Steve Barkley Ponders Out Loud podcast on iTunes or visit BarkleyPD.com to find new episodes!
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  Coachee Driven Coaching 30.04.2026 13min

  As a guest on another podcast, I was asked what were my thoughts, after all my years in the coaching field, what the ideas and ideals of coaching done well would be? "Coaching done well"begins with the coachee’s thinking driving the work, and continues with the coach intentionally choosing responses that move that thinking forward. It isn’t about selecting the "right" strategy —it’s about selecting the response that best supports the coachee’s reflection and growth at that moment. Check out the Coaching Done Well Podcast here.  Subscribe to the Steve Barkley Ponders Out Loud podcast on iTunes or visit BarkleyPD.com to find new episodes!
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  Rigor and Scaffolding 23.04.2026 31min

  Rigor doesn’t mean more work, and it doesn’t mean figuring it out on your own without support. It should mean achievement at a level just outside of a student’s ability to do things unaided. Just like temporary building support structures, scaffolds for learners are designed to provide access to rigorous learning for all. We want our learners to have what they need to experience productive struggle at a higher level of challenge. James Fester describes strategies to create that support. Read James' article, "How to Scaffold Learning and Maintain Rigor" here.  Visit the National Park Classroom website here. Visit James' website and get in contact here. Subscribe to the Steve Barkley Ponders Out Loud podcast on iTunes or visit BarkleyPD.com to find new episodes!  
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  Building Resourcefulness, Resilience, and Collaboration 16.04.2026 39min

  Resourcefulness, resilience, and collaboration are critical mindsets, and skill sets, for students to develop. For schools to support those outcomes, educators must have the opportunity to develop the same. Mitch Weisburgh, the author of, "Mindshifting: Stop Your Brain from Sabotaging Your Happiness and Success," explores the importance and possibilities. What’s the role of wellbeing and hope in achieving long term, deep learning? Visit the Mindshifting Website & connect with Mitch here. Download "Why We React Instead of Respond" — a free MindShifting Conversation Circle for your educator team here. Subscribe to the Steve Barkley Ponders Out Loud podcast on iTunes or visit BarkleyPD.com to find new episodes!  
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  Starting Post-Conference Conversations That Lead to Reflection 09.04.2026 10min

  What’s one of the first questions you tend to ask a teacher after you’ve broken the ice in a post-conference? Here’s one I hear very often: “How do you think that went?" I cringe a little when I hear that question. The reason is something I learned the hard way early in my coaching career.  That question can lead to teachers protecting and the moment protection enters the conversation, reflection usually leaves it. Subscribe to the Steve Barkley Ponders Out Loud podcast on iTunes or visit BarkleyPD.com to find new episodes!
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  Inside-Out vs. Outside-In Observation 02.04.2026 22min

  Classroom observations can become overly focused on our unconscious bias toward traditional signs of quality teaching and learning. Observers can focus on teaching moves and the appearance of engagement but miss what matters most: are students making sense of the learning. Experienced educator, Dr. Michael McDowell shares the need to “flip” our view in observation to look past surface signals of teaching and learning rituals and perhaps disrupt them. Read "Flipping the Lens on Classroom Observations With the ‘Inside-Out’ Method" here. Visit the Hinge Education website and connect with Michael here.  Subscribe to the Steve Barkley Ponders Out Loud podcast on iTunes or visit BarkleyPD.com to find new episodes!
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  Building a Culture of Growth With Learning Walks 26.03.2026 32min

  "When leaders consistently show up in classrooms, not to judge, but to learn and support, they help to create schools where continuous improvement is not an initiative but a way of life." (Dr. Raymond Schmidt) Dr. Schmidt describes how learning walks can build alignment among a teaching staff and administrative team. He explores elements pre, during, and post learning walk observations that build professional learning as continuous and collective, not a one-time event. Read "From Presence to Practice: How Learning Walks and SMART Feedback Strengthen Instructional Leadership in K–12 Schools" here. Visit Dr. Schmidt' LinkedIn here. Subscribe to the Steve Barkley Ponders Out Loud podcast on iTunes or visit BarkleyPD.com to find new episodes!  
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  School Staff Learning - Increasing Student Success 19.03.2026 34min

  How does a staff’s engagement in reflection generate increased staff learning that promotes ownership and accountability for student success?  Highly experienced school leader, Dr. Matt Horvath, explores leaders work with coaching, PLCs, and professional learning for classified staff. The podcast provides insights and questions to promote your reflection. Email Matt: leadershipnexusconsulting@gmail.com Visit Matt's Leadership Nexus Consulting website here. Subscribe to the Steve Barkley Ponders Out Loud podcast on iTunes or visit BarkleyPD.com to find new episodes!