Steve Barkley Ponders Out Loud

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!

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!

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!

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!

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!

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!

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!

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!

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!

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!

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!

Learning and Growing in Tutoring 12.03.2026 29min

Chris Norwood, the founding director of the Bay Area Tutoring Association, highlights the impact of tutors, parents, students, community members and business leaders collaborating to invest in the future. He explores the preparation of tutors and the rewards for tutors, students, and the community. Consider what can be accomplished through the development of an academic tutoring workforce, extended learning programs and services. Possibilities!! Visit the Bay Area Tutoring Association website here. Email Chris: chris.norwood@bayareatutor.org Subscribe to the Steve Barkley Ponders Out Loud podcast on iTunes or visit BarkleyPD.com to find new episodes!

Coaching for Happiness: Aligning the Elephant and the Rider 05.03.2026 15min

Jonathan Haidt’s, "The Happiness Hypothesis," presents a helpful metaphor for coaching: the elephant and the rider. The elephant symbolizes our emotional, intuitive self—the instinctive reactions that show up when a lesson flops, a student refuses to engage, or a new initiative feels overwhelming. The rider represents our rational, planning, problem-solving self that sets goals, analyzes progress, and decides what we should do next. Coaching for happiness does not mean avoiding challenges or protecting teachers from discomfort. Rather, it means helping teachers interpret challenges as meaningful, discomfort as temporary, and progress as real. Subscribe to the Steve Barkley Ponders Out Loud podcast on iTunes or visit BarkleyPD.com to find new episodes!

Redefining Resistance 26.02.2026 32min

"Resistance isn’t refusal. It’s a signal of unmet needs." Becca Silver, the founder of The Whole Educator and the designer of the Resistance Remedy, shares how to diagnosis common unmet needs. Coaches questioning and listening emerges as key to change and commitment. Visit The Whole Educator website and get in touch with Becca here. Subscribe to the Steve Barkley Ponders Out Loud podcast on iTunes or visit BarkleyPD.com to find new episodes!

Coaches Building a Mattering Ecosystem 19.02.2026 19min

Mattering is the feeling that we are valued and have value to add to the world. When we build a mattering ecosystem that helps adults feel valued and significant, we’re creating the conditions for children to feel they matter. What are coaching actions that signal mattering to their coachees and help build an ecosystem of mattering. Read "Mattering in Early Childhood: Building a Strong Foundation for Life" here. Read Zach Mercurio's, "How to Create Mattering at Work" here. Subscribe to the Steve Barkley Ponders Out Loud podcast on iTunes or visit BarkleyPD.com to find new episodes!

Administrators and Teacher Leaders Teaming Up to Mentor New Teachers 12.02.2026 34min

By pairing an administrator with a systems-level view and access to resources with a teacher leader deep in classroom expertise and credibility, a school-based mentor program added support to teachers new to teaching or new to the school. Their partnership sent a message that mentoring isn’t something done to teachers—it’s something we do together. "The most meaningful growth happens when learning is collective and public, not private or evaluative." Read Tim's article,"How Administrators and Veteran Educators Can Team Up to Mentor New Teachers" here. Email Tim: tmontalvo5119@bcsdny.org Visit Tim's LinkedIn. Email Amanda: adeserio3738@bcsdny.org Subscribe to the Steve Barkley Ponders Out Loud podcast on iTunes or visit BarkleyPD.com to find new episodes!

Observing Classrooms With The Wonder of Learning 05.02.2026 34min

Paul Magnuson shares what his feedback to teachers sounds like after he quit trying to point out weaknesses and trying to show that he knew what those weaknesses are; after he quit sitting across from younger teachers telling them what to do. Hear what he can share by picturing himself standing side-by-side with teachers, staring out across an education horizon that is messy, multi-faceted and fabulously intriguing. Experience how teachers find appreciation from his observation. Find Paul on LinkedIn here. Visit Paul’s website here. Subscribe to the Steve Barkley Ponders Out Loud podcast on iTunes or visit BarkleyPD.com to find new episodes!

Creating a Culture of Open Classroom Doors and Informal Collegial Feedback 29.01.2026 30min

Many educators know that some of the best, most relevant professional development can happen when teachers observe other teachers instructing their students. But in many schools, there’s rarely time set aside for peer observation. Erika Kersey, the principal of Greenville Elementary School in Virginia and two teachers share how they created structured, low-stakes opportunities for teachers to learn from each other. Read Erika's Edutopia article, "How to Create a Thriving Drop-In Culture" here. Email Erika: ekersey@fcps1.org Subscribe to the Steve Barkley Ponders Out Loud podcast on iTunes or visit BarkleyPD.com to find new episodes!

Powerful Learning Through Entrepreneurial Opportunities 22.01.2026 17min

I have been a long-time promoter of engaging students in real-life (project-based) opportunities. That’s driven from my own experiences as a 4-H participant in my elementary and high school years and having observed teachers and students tackling powerful learning through doing live event projects. Those experiences generated my interest to learn more when I was introduced to The Society of Childhood Entrepreneurs. Leah Ellis shares how even young elementary students can learn important life skills as entrepreneurs. Visit The Society of Childhood Entrepreneurs website here. Find Leah's book, "Sparks to Stars: The Story of Astra & Zeke" here. Subscribe to the Steve Barkley Ponders Out Loud podcast on iTunes or visit BarkleyPD.com to find new episodes!

Educators Thriving is Key to Students Thriving 15.01.2026 46min

The authors of, "High Five to Thrive: 5 Proven Practices to Unleash Your Passion for Teaching" share their strategies to assist teachers to experience thriving in teaching. Their strategies tackle these issues: A loss of purpose - Is the passion that once fueled you fading? A feeling of hopelessness -Have you ever felt like no matter what you do, it’s not enough? Unhelpful mindset patterns - Do you ever notice that your automatic thoughts negatively shape your view of yourself, your students, and your classroom environment? Neglecting the mind-body connection - the essential link between your thoughts, emotions, and physical well-being. A feeling of being disconnected - from work, students, and colleagues Consider the importance of these areas for your own thriving as well as those educators you support. Find the book, "High Five to Thrive: 5 Proven Practices to Unleash Your Passion for Teaching" here. Visit authors' website here or find them on LinkedIn here. Subscribe to the Steve Barkley Ponders Out Loud podcast on iTunes or visit BarkleyPD.com to find new episodes!