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Coaching the Whole Educator — Education
Coaching the Whole Educator

Coaching the Whole Educator, hosted by education consultant and author Becca Silver, is a podcast on instructional coaching, teacher leadership, and school leadership for anyone who wants to strengthen their educators’ effectiveness and resilience, especially the ones who need it most. Each week, you’ll hear quick tips, proven coaching strategies, and coaching mindsets designed to keep you on top of your game.

This show is rooted in a human-centered coaching approach, where we get things done through people’s humanity, not around it. Whether you’re new to instructional coaching or a seasoned coach or leader looking for fresh perspective, you’ll learn how to focus on the mindsets and motivations driving unproductive behaviors. By getting to the root of teacher resistance, using the Catalyst Mindsets framework from Becca Silver’s book, The Resistance Solution, you’ll discover how to build stronger relationships, lead with clarity, and create lasting impact in your school.

You can reach Becca Silver at info@thewholeeducator.com.

Copyright: © 2024 Coaching the Whole Educator

Latest Episodes:

#173: Short on Time? Skip the Observation, Not the Pre-Conference Jan 25, 2026

Show notes

In this episode of Coaching the Whole Educator, Becca sits down again with veteran instructional coaching expert Steve Barkley to unpack one of the most overlooked but powerful parts of the coaching cycle: the pre-conference. Together, they break down why pre-conferences are essential for effective instructional coaching, teacher growth, and human-centered school leadership.

Steve explains how pre-conferences create trust, increase teacher agency, and ensure coaching conversations feel relevant and meaningful. Instead of using coaching time for “I gotcha” observations, Steve shows how a strong pre-conference transforms the work into “I got you,” helping teachers reflect, self-identify needs, and experience immediate shifts in clarity and confidence.

Listeners will learn:

What a pre-conference actually is and why it’s the most important step in the coaching cycle
How pre-conferences build trust, value, and relevance for teachers
Why skipping the pre-conference leads to ineffective coaching and wasted time
How focusing on teacher-driven goals increases engagement and efficacy
The role of questioning skills, reflective listening, and open-ended questions in high-quality coaching
How coaches can diagnose what teachers truly need by listening for payoffs vs. costs

This conversation gives coaches and school leaders practical, classroom-ready strategies for improving observations, strengthening post-conferences, and building a human-centered coaching culture where growth actually sticks. If you want to deepen your instructional coaching practice, increase teacher buy-in, and elevate the impact of every classroom visit, this episode is a must-listen.
Download the Stages of Competence resource, here!
Episode 74 pairs perfectly with this episode! Take a listen!

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#172: Can Too Much Empathy Hinder Decisive Leadership? Jan 18, 2026

Show notes

🚨Don’t forget to register for the VATLL Power of Coaching Conference, February 3–4, 2026! 🚨

Here’s a question I keep bumping into as a leader and a coach:
When does empathy help, and when does it quietly stall us out?

In the first episode of our three-part series on coaching and leadership, Chris and I dig into one of leadership’s most uncomfortable tensions. I’ll say it plainly: empathy matters. A lot. And… sometimes leaders have to make decisions with incomplete buy-in, imperfect timing, and information others don’t have yet.

Chris makes a strong case for empathy as the foundation, without it we miss what’s really going on for people. I push back from lived experience: if empathy runs the show unchecked, leaders can hesitate, over-process, and get stuck trying to keep everyone comfortable.

This episode kicks off an honest, practical exploration of leadership as a paradox: heart and backbone. And the judgment to know which one the moment is asking for.

🚨Don’t forget to register for the VATLL Power of Coaching Conference, February 3–4, 2026! 🚨

Let's Stay Connected!
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#171: How AI Can Spark (Not Replace) Your Leadership Jan 11, 2026

Show notes

This episode dives straight into the conversation every educator and leader needs right now: How AI is reshaping coaching, leadership, and the way we build an Innovator’s Mindset in schools.

Becca sits down with George Couros, world-recognized educator and author of The Innovator’s Mindset, to unpack how AI can support real human-centered leadership instead of replacing it. Together, they explore how AI can fuel curiosity, deepen critical thinking, and expand teacher and student agency when used with intention.

You’ll hear George break down:

Why innovation is not about technology, but about creating “new and better” ways of learning
How leaders can build ownership by giving real choice and voice
How AI tools like ChatGPT can save hours of time while strengthening reflection, planning, and connection
Why discernment is now a core skill for educators
How teachers and leaders can model meaningful AI use before bringing it to students
What the rise of AI search means for school leadership, professional learning, and even hiring

This conversation mixes practical AI strategies, mindset shifts, and real talk about the skills educators and students need in a world where information is easy... but wisdom isn’t. If you’re a coach, teacher leader, or administrator wanting to use AI without losing the human heart of your work, this episode is your new favorite.

Check out more about what George is up to on his website!
Download the FREE Human BINGO card, here!

Start with connection, and everything gets easier from there!

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#170: The Leadership Support Gap Jan 04, 2026

Show notes

Looking for inspiration and real talk you can actually use as a school leader? This episode brings you a powerful conversation between Becca and the vibrant duo behind The Principal Exchange, Andra and Sarah. Together, they explore the real challenges principals face every day. The isolation. The constant demands. The search for support that truly understands the weight of school leadership.

You will hear the story of how Andra and Sarah built their platform from the ground up and how their resources and virtual events are creating an authentic community for leaders who often feel alone in the work. They talk openly about the shift from classroom to front office and what it feels like to be handed the keys without a roadmap. Their honesty shines a light on why it matters to connect with people who genuinely get the role and how practical solutions like candid conversations and time saving strategies can help leaders feel more supported and more effective.

With insights on professional growth, simple actions you can put into motion right away, and an inside look at what is coming at the next Principal Exchange conference, this episode welcomes educators at every level. You will walk away encouraged, equipped, and reminded that you are not doing this work by yourself. Andra and Sarah are building something special, and their energy is all about helping school leaders meet their biggest challenges with confidence and community.

🔗Check out all of the resources available on The Principal Exchange.

🔗Register for the TPE Virtual Winter Conference where Becca is the featured keynote speaker!

Use code: RESISTANCE for 10% off any ticket

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#169: Best of 2025 Series: I Stopped Trying to Convince Teachers...That’s When Everything Changed Dec 28, 2025

Show notes

What if the resistance you’re seeing isn’t defiance—it’s a clue?

In this episode, Dr. Donna Spangler shares the coaching breakthrough that changed everything: She stopped trying to convince teachers, and they started showing up with purpose, ownership, and even excitement.

After going through The Resistance Remedy course, Donna realized she wasn’t dealing with a skill gap—she was missing the belief gap. Once she started listening for mindset signals like value, belonging, and ownership, her entire coaching approach shifted. Teachers moved from polite compliance to full engagement. They initiated change. They emailed saying they were excited to teach again.

She stopped relying on instinct and started coaching with intention. That’s when everything changed.

Donna’s biggest realization?

Resistance isn’t a roadblock. It’s a message. And when you know how to listen for it, you don’t just coach better. You coach braver.

Donna's Free Download: https://secure.smore.com/n/hbzyej

Learn more about *The Resistance Remedy* On Demand Course

(Grab it now to get the Bonus S.I.P. Implementation Planning Document)

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#168: Best of 2025 Series: The Art of Interrupting—How to Jump In Without Shutting Others Down Dec 21, 2025

Show notes

We’ve been taught that good listeners don’t interrupt—but what if the right kind of interrupting is exactly what great leaders do?

Have you ever walked away from a conversation thinking, “That should’ve gone better”?

You said the words.

They said the words.

But something still missed the mark.

Here’s the truth: It’s not what you said. It’s what you didn’t hear.

In this episode, I sit down with listening expert Christine Miles, who challenges what you think it means to truly listen. Are you listening to reply—or listening to understand?

We unpack:

Why most people retain only 17–25% of what’s said (yep, you read that right)
How to shift from half-hearing to fully leading
And the underrated art of interrupting to understand—not interrupting to tell
Christine shares powerful tools you can use right away:
🔦 The Flashlight Technique
🧭 Compass Questions
🛤️ The Listening Path

If you want to lead better conversations, build stronger trust, and stop missing what matters—start here.

🎧 This episode is your next move https://bit.ly/3RBkWxr

The Whole Educator is now booking —keynotes, PD, and our Human Centered Academy are all designed to turn resistance into real progress. Check out the options at https://bit.ly/WholeEdPrograms and let’s make next year the one where things finally shift.

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#167: Best of 2025 Series: Stop Curriculum Chaos: Getting Real Engagement Dec 14, 2025

Show notes

Rolling out a new curriculum?

Brace yourself—resistance, frustration, and missteps are inevitable… unless you do it right. Join Sean Lindsey and me as we break down what it really takes to get teachers, students, and families on board—without wasted effort or top-down mandates that fall flat.

We’re talking about:

The most common mistake leaders make when choosing a curriculum – Teachers and students aren’t just checkboxes in your curriculum rollout. Use a rubric based on their actual needs, not just the shiniest new program.
How to turn teachers into champions (not skeptics) – Training, time, and real support matter. Mass rollouts of a new curriculum to teachers without these? Recipe for disaster.
The secret to getting parents on your side before they push back – If parents don’t understand the “why,” they’ll resist the “what.” Learn how to engage them from the start.
Why school leaders must do more than cheerlead – Leaders who don’t get the curriculum can’t lead it. We’ll talk about how to remove barriers and create real instructional shifts.

Don’t gamble with your rollout. Learn how to make it stick.

Free Resources:

[FREE] Catalyst Mindsets Quiz **HERE**!

[FREE DOWNLOAD] Levels of Resistance

[FREE RESOURCE] Podcast Playlists (Episodes that focus on Resistance to Change)

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#166: Best of 2025 Series: Why Being “Naturally Gifted” Can Backfire as a Coach Dec 07, 2025

Show notes

The Ladder of Conscious Competence

Four stages: Conscious/Unconscious Competence & Incompetence.
This can explain why there’s a lack of knowledge transfer at your school
Why having unconscious competence makes skills hard to teach.

The Peter Principle in Education

People are promoted beyond their skillset (shifting from teaching children to teaching adults).
Success in one role doesn’t guarantee success in another.
Effective leadership requires a balance of three key skill sets: technical, conceptual, and human

Coaching Missteps to Avoid

Avoid coaching people to mimic your personality or style (Focus on enhancing the coachee’s unique strengths.)
Avoid sharing personal success stories excessively ("When I was a teacher, I...").
Ignoring the critical need for developing adult-learning skills.

🔗Take this quiz to help you understand which Catalyst Mindsets need support in those you coach or lead!

Check out The Resistance Remedy!

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#165: Perfectionism's Impact on Resilience & Well-being Nov 30, 2025

Show notes

Tune in for an engaging conversation with clinical psychologist Dr. Kate Lund as she joins host Becca Silver to explore perfectionism and resilience. This episode dives into how perfectionism can show up in the lives of coaches, leaders, and teachers, and why it often gets in the way of satisfaction and well-being.

Dr. Lund explains the difference between perfectionism and healthy striving, sharing how the constant urge to get everything right can actually make growth and adaptability more difficult. Listeners will discover practical tools, including the relaxation response technique to calm the mind and the daily wins exercise to help shift focus to what is going well. Dr. Lund also offers a valuable tip for leaders: help your team begin the day by recognizing successes, not just areas for improvement.

Whether you are a parent, teacher, or anyone looking for ways to handle life’s challenges, this episode is filled with useful advice and real-life examples.

Check out The Principals Exchange Virtual Conference [January 28-29, 2026]!

🔗 Click HERE to learn more and register.

Let's Stay Connected!
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#163: Coaching Through Student Learning Production Behaviors Nov 16, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, Becca sits down with Steve Barkley, a pioneer in instructional coaching whose influence has shaped how educators think about growth, feedback, and collaboration. Together, they unpack what it really takes to create lasting change in classrooms; not through evaluation, but through curiosity and conversation.

Steve shares his journey from being observed every day as a student teacher to becoming one of the most respected voices in peer coaching. Along the way, he reveals a mindset shift that changed everything: great coaching isn’t about watching teachers. It’s about watching students.

You’ll hear how focusing on student actions opens new doors for learning, reflection, and impact. Becca and Steve explore how to:
→ Plan lessons and coaching sessions with student behaviors in mind
→ Use observation and questioning to drive meaningful reflection
→ Support teachers with empathy, not judgment
→ Build thriving professional learning communities that keep everyone growing

Packed with real-world insights and practical takeaways, this episode is a powerful reminder that when we focus on students first, everything else follows.

Check out The Principals Exchange Virtual Conference [January 28-29, 2026]!

🔗 Click HERE to learn more and register.

[Podcast Sponsor] Kind Cotton: Soft, sustainable apparel, where every purchase provides a book to a child.

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