Episode 3 - Dr. Jim Knight and the Transformational Power of Coaching and Conversations

In this episode, I was blessed to converse with a great hero of mine, Dr. Jim Knight.  Dr. Knight is a senior research associate at Kansas University Center for Research on Learning and director of the Kansas Coaching Project. He has spent close to two decades studying professional learning and instructional coaching. He has written or co-authored several books on the topic including Instructional Coaching: A Partnership Approach to Improving Instruction published by Corwin and Learning Forward (2007) and Unmistakable Impact: A Partnership Approach for Dramatically Improving Instruction (2011). Knight co-authored Coaching Classroom Management (2006) and also edited Coaching: Approaches and Perspectives (2008). He also wrote one of my favorite books of all time: Better Conversations (2016). Knight has authored articles on instructional coaching and professional learning in publications such as The Journal of Staff Development, Educational Leadership, Principal Leadership, The School Administrator, and Kappan.

While I was initially intimidated to converse with an expert in effective communication, Dr. Kight reminded me of the importance of grace and self-compassion as we all work to become better in all aspects of our humanity including our teaching, leadership, and parenting practices.  In this episode, we dive into the issue of human motivation, effective feedback, teacher autonomy, effective coaching practices, and how we truly effectuate change but within ourselves and within organizational systems.  

As with all my guests, Jim was an absolute joy and I am thrilled and honored to share his infinite wisdom with you.  With that, I bring you: Dr. Jim Knight.

His current work can be found and followed at: 

1. www.radicallearners.com
2. Jimknightoncoaching.squarespace.com
3. twitter.com/jimknight99.