BONUS: Coaching, Teaching, & Classroom Management Strategies Sparked From My Conversation with Ari Gerzon-Kessler (❤️ Olivia Wahl)
Schoolutions: Curious Educators. Evidence-Based Strategies. Classrooms Where Every Child Thrives.
11/08/24
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In this bonus episode of Schoolutions: Coaching and Teaching Strategies, I discuss creating safe, inclusive school environments during election season. Following my interview with Ari Gerzon-Kessler, I explore how educators can lean on the strategies and writing of experts to support students and families during politically sensitive times. Drawing from various education experts and authors, I examine the importance of welcoming all perspectives while maintaining professional boundaries, processing fear productively, and fostering genuine curiosity. Rather than promoting specific political views, I urge us to consider the educator's role in facilitating thoughtful discussions and ensuring every student and caregiver feels seen, heard, and valued in school spaces.
Episode Mentions:
- Risk.Fail.Rise.: A Teacher’s Guide to Learning from Mistakes. by M. Colleen Cruz
- Why Do I Have to Read This?: Literacy Strategies to Engage Our Most Reluctant Students by Cris Tovani
- Jess Lifshitz & November 2024 (Special Edition): A Word About Creating Safety Post-Election 2024
- Nourishing Caregiver Collaborations: Elevating Home Experiences and Classroom Practices for Collective CarebyNawal Qarooni
- Jennifer L. Eberhardt
- Drive by Daniel H. Pink
- Dr. Robert Keegan and Dr. Lisa Leahy
#Education #FamilyEngagement #EducatorResources #SchoolLeadership #FETteams #TeacherPodcast #FamilyPartnerships #EquitableEducation #SchoolCommunity #TeacherResources #EdLeadership #SchoolAdmin #K12 #TeacherPD #ParentEngagement #Schoolutions #UnderrepresentedFamilies #EducationalEquity #CommunityEngagement #SchoolCulture #BetterTogether #TeachersOfInstagram #EdChat #PrincipalLife #SchoolSuccess #FamilyPartnerships #EducatorPodcast #ProfessionalDevelopment #SchoolImprovement #EquitableSchools
When coaches, teachers, administrators, and families work hand in hand, it fosters a school atmosphere where everyone is inspired and every student is fully engaged in their learning journey.
Previous Episode
In this powerful episode, Ari Gerzon-Kessler shares practical strategies for creating meaningful connections between schools and underrepresented families through his innovative Families and Educators Together (FET) teams model. Drawing from his experience as a teacher, principal, and current leader of the Family Partnerships Department for Boulder Valley School District, Ari discusses:
➡️The critical difference between family involvement versus authentic partnership
➡️How to successfully launch and sustain FET teams
➡️The importance of moving beyond traditional involvement to true collaboration
➡️Practical ways to build trust through intentional practices
➡️Creating sustainable structures for family-school partnerships
➡️Seven key strategies for promoting positive family communication
➡️Real examples of successful action projects and outcomes
➡️The value of flattening hierarchies and creating psychological safety
🌟Ari’s Book: On the Same Team: Bringing Educators and Underrepresented Families Together, won the Independent Publishers Book Awards 2024 IPPY Gold Medal for outstanding education book.
↪️Other Resources Mentioned:
- 7 Ways to Promote Positive Communication with Families
- Beyond the Bake Sale by Anne Henderson
- The Talking Points communication platform
- Ari's School-Family Partnerships Resources to Support Your Next Steps
Ari’s Bio:
Ari Gerzon-Kessler is author of On The Same Team: Bringing Educators & Underrepresented Families Together, which won the Independent Publishers Book Awards 2024 IPPY Gold Medal for outstanding education book. He is a speaker, trainer, and coach working with schools and districts committed to forging stronger school-family partnerships. Ari also leads the Family Partnerships department for the Boulder Valley School District (CO).
🎙️New episodes release every Monday featuring research-backed coaching and teaching strategies you can apply right away to better serve the children in your care.
When coaches, teachers, administrators, and families work hand in hand, it fosters a school atmosphere where everyone is inspired and every student is fully engaged in their learning journey.
Next Episode
Join me in conversation with Karrie Fansler, Learning Design Specialist with Evergreen Public Schools, as we explore her innovative eight-phase coaching cycle that transforms traditional instructional coaching. Karrie shares how her team of 36 coaches developed this dynamic framework that puts student learning at the center while honoring teacher dignity and inquiry.
Learn about each phase of the cycle - from capturing initial "sparks" of teacher interest to establishing shared classroom reality, refining focus areas, and setting intentional next steps. Karrie explains how coaches can make this cycle responsive to individual teachers' needs, whether working through a quick 15-minute conversation or engaging in deeper long-term partnerships.
This episode offers practical strategies for instructional coaches looking to:
➡️Build stronger coaching partnerships grounded in student learning
➡️Make coaching conversations more intentional and impactful
➡️Balance structure and flexibility in coaching cycles
➡️Document and capture learning in ways that work for different teachers
➡️Center teacher agency while maintaining a clear coaching purpose
Whether you're new to instructional coaching or looking to refine your practice, this conversation provides a fresh framework for making coaching more responsive, collaborative, and focused on what matters most - student learning.
Episode Mentions:
- Responsive Coaching Cycle (graphic)
- Evergreen Public Schools
- That Workshop Book by Sam Bennett & Sam’s Circles of Engagement
- Why Do I Have to Read This? Literacy Strategies to Engage Our Most Reluctant Students by Cris Tovani
- How to use both print and digital notebooks to organize your coaching practice by Matt Renwick
- Reggio Emilia Documentation Panels
Get in touch with Karrie @kafansler@gmail.com
#InstructionalCoaching #ResponsiveCoachingCycle #CoachingCycle #EDUCoach #TeacherCoaching #TeacherPD #StudentLearning #TeacherLeadership #SchoolLeadership #EDULeadership #TeacherDignity #TeacherAgency #CoachingInEducation #TeachingAndLearning #K12Education #EDUChat #CoachingConversations #TeacherSupport #InstructionalLeadership #CoachingPractice #CoachingFramework #StudentCentered #CoachingPartnership #RealityBasedCoaching #ResponsiveCoaching #TeacherInquiry #CoachingDocumentation #ClassroomReality #TeacherReflection #CoachingSparkMoments
When coaches, teachers, administrators, and families work hand in hand, it fosters a school atmosphere where everyone is inspired and every student is fully engaged in their learning journey.
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