Coaching the Whole Educator

Becca Silver
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Coaching the Whole Educator is a podcast for instructional coaches, teacher leaders, and school leaders who want to strengthen their educators’ effectiveness and resilience, especially the ones who need it most. Each week, you’ll hear quick tips, proven strategies, and coaching mindsets designed to keep you on top of your coaching game. This show is rooted in a human-centered approach, where we get things done through people’s humanity, not around it. Whether you’re new to instructional coaching or a seasoned instructional 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 resistance, you’ll discover how to build stronger relationships, lead with clarity, and create lasting impact in your school.

  1. #175: If One More Person Says “Self-Care,” I Might Scream: Why Educators Are Burning Out

    6 DAYS AGO

    #175: If One More Person Says “Self-Care,” I Might Scream: Why Educators Are Burning Out

    Send us a text In this powerful episode of Coaching the Whole Educator, Becca Silver sits down with Dr. Naomi Hall, former educator, burnout expert, and co-founder of the Thrive Conference, to unpack why burnout is skyrocketing in schools and what leaders can actually do to support overwhelmed teachers. Dr. Hall brings nearly two decades of experience as a teacher and administrator, along with her real-world journey through burnout and recovery. Together, Becca and Naomi break down the root causes of educator burnout, including lack of boundaries, toxic school cultures, and the system-wide habit of focusing on curriculum over human beings. They discuss why traditional “self care” advice often backfires, what required care really looks like, and how teachers can build sustainable habits using science-backed strategies. Listeners will learn: The most common causes of burnout in schoolsWhy surface-level self-care doesn’t work—and what doesHow leaders can model boundaries and create healthier staff culturesMindset shifts that immediately reduce stress and rewire burnout patternsPractical tools such as habit stacking, nervous-system resets, and fact-vs-story reframesConcrete examples from real schools transforming culture and supporting educatorsThis episode is a must-listen for instructional coaches, school leaders, and anyone committed to supporting teacher wellbeing, improving school culture, and fostering human-centered leadership. For more on Dr. Naomi Hall and the free Thrive Conference, visit NRHDynamic.com or follow her at @naomihallfiteducator. Download the FFIRE Your Complaints Framework, here! Let's Stay Connected! Website | Instagram | Twitter | Linkedin | Facebook | Contact Us

    28 min
  2. #174: Is a Little Resistance Actually Healthy?

    1 FEB

    #174: Is a Little Resistance Actually Healthy?

    Send us a text 🚨Don’t forget to register for the VATLL Power of Coaching Conference, February 3–4, 2026! 🚨 Let’s start with a question we don’t ask often enough: What if resistance isn’t the problem? Chris and I push on a pretty common assumption in education; that resistance is something to manage, fix, or eliminate. I offer a reframe that’s shaped a lot of my own leadership: resistance is often a signal.  Engagement.  Unmet needs.  Something important trying to get our attention. Chris takes it deeper, looking at what pushback usually points to beneath the surface, missing clarity, insufficient support, a lack of trust, or not enough voice. And together we name a few uncomfortable truths: compliance isn’t the goal, “shoulds” shut people down, and curiosity beats control every time. Here’s the shift we’re inviting: instead of bracing against resistance, what if we listened to it? Because resistance can be a compass. It can point leaders toward more responsive, more human, and ultimately more effective ways of working. If you’ve ever felt stuck, frustrated, or worn down by pushback, this episode might change how you see it, and how you respond next time. 🚨Don’t forget to register for the VATLL Power of Coaching Conference, February 3–4, 2026! 🚨 Let's Stay Connected! Website | Instagram | Twitter | Linkedin | Facebook | Contact Us

    17 min
  3. #173: Short on Time? Skip the Observation, Not the Pre-Conference

    25 JAN

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

    Send us a text 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 cycleHow pre-conferences build trust, value, and relevance for teachersWhy skipping the pre-conference leads to ineffective coaching and wasted timeHow focusing on teacher-driven goals increases engagement and efficacyThe role of questioning skills, reflective listening, and open-ended questions in high-quality coachingHow coaches can diagnose what teachers truly need by listening for payoffs vs. costsThis 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! Let's Stay Connected! Website | Instagram | Twitter | Linkedin | Facebook | Contact Us

    14 min
  4. #172: Can Too Much Empathy Hinder Decisive Leadership?

    18 JAN

    #172: Can Too Much Empathy Hinder Decisive Leadership?

    Send us a text 🚨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! Website | Instagram | Twitter | Linkedin | Facebook | Contact Us

    18 min
  5. #171: How AI Can Spark (Not Replace) Your Leadership

    11 JAN

    #171: How AI Can Spark (Not Replace) Your Leadership

    Send us a text 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 learningHow leaders can build ownership by giving real choice and voiceHow AI tools like ChatGPT can save hours of time while strengthening reflection, planning, and connectionWhy discernment is now a core skill for educatorsHow teachers and leaders can model meaningful AI use before bringing it to studentsWhat the rise of AI search means for school leadership, professional learning, and even hiringThis 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! Let's Stay Connected! Website | Instagram | Twitter | Linkedin | Facebook | Contact Us

    29 min
  6. #170: The Leadership Support Gap

    4 JAN

    #170: The Leadership Support Gap

    Send us a text 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 Let's Stay Connected! Website | Instagram | Twitter | Linkedin | Facebook | Contact Us

    24 min
  7. #169: Best of 2025 Series: I Stopped Trying to Convince Teachers...That’s When Everything Changed

    28/12/2025

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

    Send us a text 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) Let's Stay Connected! Website | Instagram | Twitter | Linkedin | Facebook | Contact Us

    43 min
  8. #168: Best of 2025 Series: The Art of Interrupting—How to Jump In Without Shutting Others Down

    21/12/2025

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

    Send us a text 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 leadingAnd 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 PathIf 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. Let's Stay Connected! Website | Instagram | Twitter | Linkedin | Facebook | Contact Us

    22 min
See All (180)

About

Coaching the Whole Educator is a podcast for instructional coaches, teacher leaders, and school leaders who want to strengthen their educators’ effectiveness and resilience, especially the ones who need it most. Each week, you’ll hear quick tips, proven strategies, and coaching mindsets designed to keep you on top of your coaching game. This show is rooted in a human-centered approach, where we get things done through people’s humanity, not around it. Whether you’re new to instructional coaching or a seasoned instructional 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 resistance, you’ll discover how to build stronger relationships, lead with clarity, and create lasting impact in your school.

Information

  • Creator
    Becca Silver
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    180
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Coaching the Whole Educator
  • Show Website
    Coaching the Whole Educator

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