Supporting Educators’ AI Readiness

“Our goal should be to use artificial intelligence thoughtfully enough that our schools, and the people within them, have more time and capacity to be human.” (Dr. Brian Graham) Brian is the author of The AI Ready School Leader: Leading Districts, Schools, and Classrooms Through the AI Era. He shares personal stories and examples from his teaching and leading experiences, as well as from supporting educators nationally in maximizing the potential of AI for leading, teaching, and learning. Get Dr. Brian Graham’s book, “The AI Ready School Leader: Leading Districts, Schools, and Classrooms Through the AI Era” here. Get in touch with Brian: [email protected] Subscribe to the Steve Barkley Ponders Out Loud podcast on iTunes or visit BarkleyPD.com to find new episodes!

If leaders want to create conditions where people can think, contribute, and grow, how they listen matters. Consider what happens in a school when a teacher shares an idea that isn’t fully formed, raises a concern about a new curriculum, or reflects on how students responded during a lesson. The way a principal, instructional coach, PLC facilitator, or colleague listens can support the teacher thinking further or bring the conversation and the thinking to a close. Read Greg Satell's article, "Great Leaders Know How to Listen. Here Are 3 Skills to Master" here. Listen to the podcast, "Before You Label It Resistance, Get Curious" here. Subscribe to the Steve Barkley Ponders Out Loud podcast on iTunes or visit BarkleyPD.com to find new episodes!  

School leader and author, Tim Montalvo, explores the question, "What does a student need from us in order to be successful?" Tim reinforces that before we can expect students to regulate their behavior, we must design schools where they experience belonging every day. In addition to belonging, he explores the importance of clarity, access, and coherence. Visit The Room to Belong website here. Contact Tim: [email protected] Subscribe to the Steve Barkley Ponders Out Loud podcast on iTunes or visit BarkleyPD.com to find new episodes!

People need to know that their individual contributions on a team are recognized. While teachers may not need—or even want—the spotlight, they do need to know that someone sees their effort, skill, professional judgment, and the importance of the outcomes they are seeking. There is an important difference between wanting attention and wanting someone to be paying attention. Whether you are a school leader, instructional coach, team leader, or team member, consider your role in helping the people around you know that their work is seen, understood, and valued? Read Jeff Matlow's, "The Problem With Bring a Team Player" here.  Subscribe to the Steve Barkley Ponders Out Loud podcast on iTunes or visit BarkleyPD.com to find new episodes!

Allison Rodman, the founder of The Learning Loop, explores how we create professional learning where trust sets the stage for vulnerability - a key to teacher learning. Professional learning is an ongoing daily process that should be supported by what might be labeled a professional development workshop. Effective professional learning positively impacts student learning outcomes. What commitments need to be held by district level staff, building leaders, instructional coaches as well as teachers? Find Allie at The Learning Loop.  Subscribe to the Steve Barkley Ponders Out Loud podcast on iTunes or visit BarkleyPD.com to find new episodes!

When we enter a coaching conversation, we need to consider two layers. One is visible: the lesson design, the teacher’s actions, student participation, questions and responses, and evidence of learning. The other is less visible. It includes the teacher’s beliefs and assumptions, confidence and uncertainty, previous experiences, fears and concerns, values and intentions, sense of responsibility, and hopes for students - an “invisible thread.” -(Randi Brown) Read Randi Brown's article, "Supporting Teacher Growth Through Trusting Relationships" Read about Joellen Killion's insights on Heavy Coaching in this previous blog.   Subscribe to the Steve Barkley Ponders Out Loud podcast on iTunes or visit BarkleyPD.com to find new episodes!

“We don’t have a teacher shortage. We have a shortage of sustainable, team-designed teaching jobs.” - Roger Osorio Positive results emerge when educators genuinely share students and responsibility, collaborate around instruction, distribute expertise, and possess meaningful decision-making authority. Teaming can create the daily observation, feedback, and reflection opportunities that make peer coaching part of the work rather than an added activity. Teaching is a team sport. Find Roger Osorio on LinkedIn here. Tune into the The Ensemble School Podcast here. Subscribe to the Steve Barkley Ponders Out Loud podcast on iTunes or visit BarkleyPD.com to find new episodes!

Where do teachers learn to maximize the value of planning periods in their schedules? Teacher and productivity coach, Carla Erskin, reports that "Planning periods have long been treated as empty space on the master schedule, resulting in a missed opportunity to recognize the effective use of that time as professional practice and to help teachers develop the knowledge and skills it requires." What are some first steps coaches and leaders might take? Read Carla's article, "Are Schools Squandering Teacher Planning Periods" here.  Visit Carla's website, Sustainable Teaching Solutions here. Subscribe to the Steve Barkley Ponders Out Loud podcast on iTunes or visit BarkleyPD.com to find new episodes!  

If I believe the person sitting across from me is a professional, my coaching job can't simply be to get that person to do what I've decided is best. I need to engage their thinking which means deep listening on my part. Treating someone as a professional isn't simply something we say. Teachers experience whether we see them as professionals through the conditions we create and the ways we interact with them. If we want our students to be taught by professionals who exercise professional judgment, our leadership and coaching need to continually develop that judgment and create the conditions that support professional dignity. Listen to Jim Knight’s podcast episode, "Stop Telling Teachers What to Do" here.  Visit Brad Gaynor's website here.  Subscribe to the Steve Barkley Ponders Out Loud podcast on iTunes or visit BarkleyPD.com to find new episodes!

The author of, "Not One More Teacher Lost," Brad Gaynor, explores the powerful idea that improving education is not only about developing better teachers and leaders, but also about creating the conditions in which they can continue to do their best work. What happens when systems confuse accountability with documentation, support with compliance, and improvement with constant change? Connect with Brad and his work here. Subscribe to the Steve Barkley Ponders Out Loud podcast on iTunes or visit BarkleyPD.com to find new episodes!