Time for Teachership

Lindsay Lyons

How can I build capacity for culturally responsive teaching and project-based instruction? How can I reduce teacher burnout and promote a culture of wellness for staff and students? What are the secrets to getting teacher buy-in? What does practicing shared leadership actually look like? Welcome to the Time for Teachership podcast where we tackle adaptive challenges in educational leadership! Each week, host Lindsay Lyons brings together guest experts, research findings, and practical steps to help brave school leaders transform schools into antiracist spaces that cultivate student, family, and teacher leadership to enable all students to thrive.

  1. 3D AGO

    244. Gather & Analyze Data that Shows Student Thinking with Dr. Jana Lee

    How can educators gather meaningful data that actually reflects student thinking—without over-relying on benchmarks or labels? In this episode of the Time for Teachership podcast, Lindsay is joined by Dr. Jana Lee to explore how teachers, coaches, and instructional leaders can collect and analyze data that shows what students truly understand, how they're thinking, and where learning breaks down. Together, they unpack mindset shifts around assessment, flexible grouping, and skill-based instruction—and why these approaches are essential for inclusive, equitable classrooms. Dr. Jana Lee shares practical strategies for using student work artifacts, observation, and in-the-moment checks for understanding to guide instruction, support coaching cycles, and measure real impact on student learning. What You'll Learn in This Episode Why measuring student thinking matters more than measuring "levels" The shift from leveled grouping to skill-based, flexible grouping How to collect data during instruction—not just at benchmark time What kinds of student artifacts best reveal thinking and misconceptions How instructional leaders can create systems (PLCs, coaching, look-fors) that support meaningful data use Why giving students 60–90 seconds of independent struggle is critical How consistency across classrooms increases student achievement Practical ways to assess thinking in both secondary and elementary settings The role of transparency, shared goals, and co-created success criteria in school improvement Timestamps 00:00 – Welcome & introduction to Dr. Jana Lee 01:00 – Why measuring student learning and coaching impact matters 01:45 – Big dreams for education & inclusive outcomes for all students 03:10 – Mindset shifts around assessment and grouping students 04:50 – Moving from leveled groups to skill-based, flexible grouping 06:00 – How in-the-moment data reduces stigma and supports equity 08:28 – Collecting classroom data that reflects real student learning 09:37 – Connecting benchmark data with daily instructional evidence 10:51 – Why consistency across classrooms increases achievement 12:58 – Structures instructional leaders can use (PLCs, coaching, goals) 14:38 – Co-creating look-fors and success criteria 16:55 – Using patterns and themes in data to guide support 19:03 – Student artifacts as powerful evidence of thinking 20:12 – Diagnosing errors in thinking vs. right/wrong answers 21:38 – Gathering meaningful data in elementary classrooms 23:34 – Creative ways to assess thinking beyond writing 25:33 – Why skill-based strategies must be content-agnostic 26:24 – Biggest challenge teachers face with data collection 26:50 – Letting students struggle independently (60–90 seconds) 27:46 – One action listeners can take tomorrow 28:05 – What Dr. Lee is learning now: adolescent reading comprehension 28:59 – Where to connect with Dr. Jana Lee 29:30 – Closing reflections Key Takeaways Student achievement data should be paired with classroom evidence of how students think Written, oral, behavioral, and tactile artifacts can all reveal learning Effective remediation starts with diagnosing where thinking breaks down Inclusive instruction happens when decisions are responsive, not based on preconceived beliefs Skill-based instruction across content areas creates coherence for students   Get Your Episode Freebie & More Resources On My Website: https://www.lindsaybethlyons.com/blog/244    Connect With Guest Dr. Jana Lee:  Instagram: @jana.c.lee Website: www.janaleeconsulting.com

    32 min
  2. FEB 3

    243. Differentiating Instructional Coaching with Chrissy Beltran

    What is instructional coaching—really? And how can coaches meet teachers where they are without forcing everyone into the same coaching mold? In this episode of the Time For Teachership podcast, Lindsay is joined by Chrissy Beltran, instructional coaching expert, host of Instructional Coaching with Miss B, and author of an upcoming ASCD book on differentiated coaching. Together, they unpack what it means to differentiate instructional coaching, define the coaching role clearly, and build authentic relationships with teachers—especially those who may be resistant to coaching. Chrissy shares practical strategies, mindset shifts, and real-life coaching stories that help instructional coaches move from uncertainty to clarity and impact. What You'll Learn in This Episode Why instructional coaching often feels "nebulous" and how to bring clarity to the role How to define your coaching vision  What it means to differentiate coaching instead of using a one-size-fits-all approach Low, medium, and high-impact coaching strategies—and when to use each How to work with resistant teachers without damaging relationships Why peer observation can be a powerful gateway into coaching How coaching can reconnect teachers to joy, play, and purpose  Timestamps [00:00] Welcome & introduction to Chrissy Beltran [01:00] Why instructional coaching feels undefined and isolating [02:30] Freedom dreaming: Chrissy's vision for education and equity [05:30] Coaching as play, exploration, and joy [08:00] Key mindset shifts when moving from teacher to coach [13:00] Defining your coaching role and vision [16:40] Differentiated coaching & the coaching toolbox [18:45] Low, medium, and high-impact coaching strategies [21:30] Working with resistant teachers: a real coaching story [25:00] Why visiting colleagues is a high-impact coaching move [30:00] Lightning round: next steps, learning, and resources  Key Takeaways Coaching is not about "fixing" teachers—it's about partnering to grow Every interaction with a teacher is a potential coaching moment Differentiation matters just as much for adults as it does for students Relationship-building strategies are not "low value"—they're foundational Peer observation helps shift beliefs without putting the coach at the center    Get Your Episode Freebie & More Resources On My Website: https://www.lindsaybethlyons.com/blog/243    Connect With Guest Chrissy Beltran:  Podcast: https://pod.link/1496989397 Website: https://www.buzzingwithmsb.com  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/buzzingwithmsb/

    35 min
5
out of 5
13 Ratings

About

How can I build capacity for culturally responsive teaching and project-based instruction? How can I reduce teacher burnout and promote a culture of wellness for staff and students? What are the secrets to getting teacher buy-in? What does practicing shared leadership actually look like? Welcome to the Time for Teachership podcast where we tackle adaptive challenges in educational leadership! Each week, host Lindsay Lyons brings together guest experts, research findings, and practical steps to help brave school leaders transform schools into antiracist spaces that cultivate student, family, and teacher leadership to enable all students to thrive.