Category: Conversations

Conversations, Leadership

Imagine a Culture of Learning

Imagine the world of learning that we want for our students. We envision classrooms and schools where scholars experience: Learning driven by agency and autonomy Deep critical thinking and problem-solving Self-reflective and self-aware development of emotional and social intelligence Collaborative interaction with others Creative expression Curiosity and imagination Innovation and entrepreneurialism These “dispositions,” Ron Ritchhart writes, cannot be directly taught or tested, but must be … Continue reading Imagine a Culture of Learning

jparvin596
Conversations, General, Leadership

Unlocking the Transformational Power of Instructional Coaching: Five Ways to Ensure a Positive and Powerful Impact Part Two

In Part One of my series on how to unlock the potential of transformational coaching, I described an eye-opening conversation I had with Principal Navarro, a former instructional coach, now a rock star middle-school principal North Texas school district. Principal Navarro (not her real name) was frustrated that the instructional coaches on her campus—trained and assigned by the district—were not making the kind of positive … Continue reading Unlocking the Transformational Power of Instructional Coaching: Five Ways to Ensure a Positive and Powerful Impact Part Two

jparvin596
Conversations, General, Leadership

Unlocking the Transformational Potential of Instructional Coaching: Five Ways to Ensure a Positive and Powerful Impact Part One

Every good coach understands that we all have our own unique meaning-making mental maps. So, when a client says, “I want more student engagement, high-quality collaboration, or job fulfillment,” our first response as a coach is, “When you say ‘engagement,’ ‘collaboration,’ ‘fulfillment,’ what exactly do you mean?” “What are the pictures in your mind when you say this?” To unlock the potential of transformational coaching, … Continue reading Unlocking the Transformational Potential of Instructional Coaching: Five Ways to Ensure a Positive and Powerful Impact Part One

jparvin596
Conversations, General, Leadership

Unlocking the Potential of Transformational Coaching: Five Ways to Ensure a Positive and Powerful Impact Part One

Had an eye-opening conversation with a middle-school principal this week. A highly effective and innovative leader, this principal had been a rock-star instructional coach in a well-regarded Texas charter system prior to moving into the principalship in a North Texas school district at the beginning of the 2017-18 school year. Principal Navarro (not her real name) became frustrated that the instructional coaches on her campus—trained … Continue reading Unlocking the Potential of Transformational Coaching: Five Ways to Ensure a Positive and Powerful Impact Part One

jparvin596
a pair of beach sandals on the sand
Conversations

Getting the Most from Your Vacation

As you head out for your much-needed vacation, I want to share an interesting article from TED that will help you get the most out of your vacation.  Unhooking and relaxing is good for your physical and emotional health, your relationships and your productivity when you return.  Click on the link below to access the full article. Secrets to a Truly Restorative Vacation from TED To … Continue reading Getting the Most from Your Vacation

jparvin596
a monarch butterfly in flight with wings spread out
Conversations, General, Leadership

Nested Learning

Last night in the graduate coaching class that I teach at SMU–our last class of the semester–we were discussing school reform topics and what the “outward” and “inward” work was for each.  One student remarked that she felt that it all came down to teachers modeling what we want to develop in our students–curiosity, emotional intelligence, creativity, etc. This resonates with me.  When I was … Continue reading Nested Learning

jparvin596