In this episode, Courtney Groskin and Sandy Heiser sit down with Joellen Killion to explore job-embedded coaching, the 10 roles coaches play, and how to align coaching to school and district priorities.

Joellen discusses how transformational coaching shifts mindsets as well as practices, the non-negotiables for sustainable coaching programs, and the importance of equity, clear purpose, and evaluation.

They wrap up with rapid-fire tips, the theme "empower over enable," and practical guidance to ensure coaching leads to lasting instructional change and improved student learning.

Guest: Mary Webb, veteran educator and instructional coach with 27 years of experience

Episode Summary: In this episode, Mary Webb shares her journey from classroom teaching to instructional coaching and explores how artificial intelligence can support — not replace — the human side of coaching. She discusses AI as a navigation tool that aids in goal setting, pattern recognition, and teacher reflection while maintaining relational trust. Mary emphasizes the importance of ethical boundaries, confidentiality, and transparency when using AI in coaching conversations. She also shares practical strategies for effective prompting and a real coaching scenario demonstrating AI in action.

Key Takeaways:

• AI as a Navigation System: AI helps identify patterns and clarify next steps without overwhelming teachers.

• Human Connection First: Technology should enhance, not replace, empathy and trust in coaching relationships.

• Ethics and Confidentiality: Coaches must be transparent, secure teacher data, and obtain informed consent when using AI.

• Prompting Matters: Clear, intentional prompts produce better AI insights to support teacher growth.

• AI in Action: A practical example shows how AI can help coaches identify themes and focus next steps in a coaching conversation.

Reflection Questions:

• How can AI serve as a thinking partner while preserving relational trust?

• What ethical guardrails should be in place before integrating AI into coaching?

• How can you improve coaching clarity through purposeful prompting?

In this episode of C3: Connecting Coaches & Cognition, Courtney Groskin and Sandy Heiser sit down with Craig Randall, author of Trust-Based Observations, to explore how reimagining classroom observations through the lens of trust can transform school culture, teacher growth, and instructional practice.

Craig shares his unique professional journey—from school counselor to international school leader—and how those experiences shaped his belief that observations should be rooted in relationships rather than compliance. Drawing on research, real-world examples, and years of leadership experience, he explains why traditional observation models often fail to improve teaching and can unintentionally harm teacher efficacy.

Together, the conversation dives into:

• What trust-based observations are and how they differ from traditional evaluation models

• The role of psychological safety in teacher risk-taking and growth

• Why focusing on strengths first builds relational trust and instructional momentum

• Practical, high-impact moves evaluators can make before, during, and after observations

• How trust-based practices support teacher cognition, reflection, and self-assessment

• Strategies for rebuilding trust when teachers bring past negative observation experiences

• Small shifts leaders can make right now to begin transforming their observation practice

Craig also shares a powerful story illustrating how quickly a culture of trust can spread—and why teachers deeply crave authentic, strengths-based feedback.

The episode wraps up with a rapid-fire round full of practical wisdom and encouragement for school leaders and evaluators at any stage of their journey.

• Website: trustbased.com

• Book: Trust-Based Observations (available on Amazon)

• Social Media: @trustbasedcraig

• Email: craig@trustbased.com