Essential Questions for Educators (EQ4E)

EQ4E is now a book on Amazon! Listen to the introduction, chapter 1, and commentary here!

Two co-teachers blew me away with their collective efficacy in real time.

Companion podcast to blog post #80 on essentialquestionsforeducators.com

Companion podcast to Blog Post #79 at essentialquestionsforeducators.com.

Companion podcast to blog post at essentialquestionsforeducators.com

Six classes - six grade levels - and some awesome takeaways!

How I make sense of AI as a teacher, consultant, and author. How will you make sense of AI for yourself and your students?

Learn about two instructional approaches that could improve student thinking in your classroom right away.

What are micro-moves you can make to enhance your instruction - or help others enhance their instruction?

My wife, Danielle Brooks, is the Missouri Community College Association Teacher of the Year for 2025. Check out this sit down interview on what she believes is most important in her classroom.

Know the phases and how to grow as a co-teaching team!

Ways to bridge the knowing - doing gap after a conference or workshop.

We have so much to figure out... and quickly!

A few things at least. Some thoughts on this topic.

Sometimes you need to reach over and close the laptop and listen. It turns out the 3-Step Helping Protocol works for groups as well.

Seven tips for growing your leadership no matter what role you have in education.

Listen to the intentions and outcomes of a training with co-teachers in a large district in South Carolina!

Everyone can coach instruction: teachers, department leads, PLC leads, grade level leads, team leaders, instructional coaches, curriculum coordinators, and principals. But how? I explore a simple yet rich technique in this episode of EQ4E.

How can I ask better questions? How can I create the conditions to see/hear what students are thinking? Am I an active learner of what my students are thinking

What are layered assessments and how can they help my teaching - and student learning?

I sat down with Central High School Podcast Club President for an interview about education, goals, and life.

What is the 5% rule and how is it related to learning and professional development?

Enjoy (or be terrified) listening to a real-time, verbal conversation with AI about education!

Twenty questions! Maybe one or more will resonate with you and lead to creative change?

I'm back after a break and ready to get back in the podcast studio! In this first episode back I give updates on my book, thoughts on an instructional coach technique workshop I'm developing, and a few things I've been doing to improve my fitness at the age of...gulp...55.

BTC is an effective way to approach instruction and learning in the classroom - and it's all the rage right now. But it can also lead to another kind of (mild) rage. I have helped many teachers and districts sense-make the practices in this book (and other approaches as well), and give a very brief overview of my 8 Phases of BTC Implementation.

The 3-Step Helping Technique is back - and with a new intro. Not to detail a recent success, but to admit an utter failure. This technique is one of the most effective and gratifying trainings I do, but it's also one of the hardest to consistently put into practice. But it's about the journey, right?

I model instruction, coteach, or observe. But then what? One of the most critical growth moments is the post conference where reflection and coaching occur.

Planning meeting followed by observations, co teaching, or modeling is a great way to improve instruction. But the icing on the cake is the post reflection conference with declarations of intention moving forward.

How do we bridge the "Knowing - Doing Gap?" Through planning, execution, and reflection of course! This is part 1 of 2 to lead yourself or others to better students engagement.

How do we bridge the "Knowing - Doing Gap?" Through planning, execution, and reflection of course! This is part 1 of 2 to lead yourself or others to better students engagement.

Start that school year out right by thinking about these six essential questions!

A recent post on the BTC Facebook group asked where the teaching takes place in a Building Thinking Classroom. I give my perspective on the continuum that moves teachers from the traditional classroom to the BTC. It takes time, but it is worth it if student thinking is your priority!

I attended the Building Thinking Classrooms National Conference in Phoenix, Arizona, and I have a lot to share! Tune in and subscribe to this multi-episode series that has the potential to change your instruction for the better!

In my first interview (outside of family members) I get to introduce the world to my good friend, Mendi Spencer. Mendi's teaching toolbox is full (and growing) and she loves to share her knowledge and techniques with others. Tune in to learn from this phenomenal educator, learner, and budding author!

What do workshop design, Spanish, and Crossfit have in common?

I am all over the place recently - so this podcast puts all of my interview thoughts (for leadership and other interviews for that matter) in one place!

Are you a coach or administrator with a talky teacher in class? Are you a teacher who senses you talk to much? How do you get teachers to talk less AND students to talk more? I have a simple technique that takes a lifetime to master...

I revisit a list of characteristics of adult learners I studied in the mid-2000s when leaving the classroom. I had forgotten how much of that list I internatlized.

Topics #4-6 to consider when preparing for a leadership interview. Podcast episode #31 has topics #1-3 and episode #34 has 10 Dos and Don'ts during interviews.

I miss meetings with protocols. More engagement, more voice, and more ideas. Turns out - protocols aren't just for educators...

The end of elementary - a review of the last six year. What made a teacher effective and not so much. Looking forward to middle school. The Chiefs win the Super Bowl and the Thunder beat Lebron's Lakers. And more!

What to really emphasize and what to avoid... in my opinion!

Has it been a while? Or maybe a false-start? I have some thoughts on (re)starting admin walkthroughs and data walks on this podcast short.

Three things to think about before your next assistant principal or other leadership interview.

Additional thoughts on my five-stage instructional improvement model along with battling the potential "Knowing - Doing" gap.

I had dinner with a new consultant who will be starting in summer 2024. These are a few moments that impact instruction and leadership growth as I reflect on the conversation.

When I train instuctional coaches and leaders I have two unique approaches that cover both reactive (I need help!) and proactive (planned coaching) moments. Check it out and see what you think!