The Impact & Innovation Focus
Instructional coaching isn’t just about the latest tech—it’s about solving problems and seeing the human in front of you. In this episode, Celine and Katie welcome Dr. Kaylah Holland, a Google Certified Innovator and ISTE award winner, to discuss how we can revolutionize Professional Development.
Dr. Holland shares her “non-negotiables” for effective PD and takes us inside the unique world of coaching in juvenile justice facilities. From low-tech engagement strategies like “mood meters” to building trust in high-stress environments, Kaylah explains how consistency and creativity can transform any classroom.
What do you love about coaching?
In this heart-to-heart episode of the Edu Coach Collective, we’re stepping away from the “how-to” and leaning into the “why.” We sat down with several instructional coaches from the Forward Edge team to uncover the special moments that make this job so rewarding.
From the “lightbulb” moments in a classroom to the quiet, breakthrough conversations in a hallway, our coaches share the personal stories and professional wins that keep them inspired. Whether you're a veteran coach looking for a little soul-fuel or a new coach wondering what the journey holds, this episode is a celebration of the impact—both big and small—that happens when we partner with teachers.
A.I. Literacy with Jeffrey Riley
In this episode of the EDU Coach Collective, hosts Celine Thomas and Katie Ritter sit down with Jeffrey Riley, a former Massachusetts Commissioner of Education, now leading a nonprofit initiative at MIT. The conversation shifts from simple AI tools to the broader necessity of AI literacy for students, teachers, and instructional leaders.
The conversation around AI in education has evolved. It is no longer about if AI will impact your classroom, but how you can use it to empower your teaching and engage your students.
With the overwhelming volume of new tools, the real challenge is finding the time to learn what actually works. Edge•U Badges collection of AI badges solves this by turning AI from a mystery into a mastery through targeted, high-impact micro-credentials.
Targeted Learning for Immediate Impact
Forget generic professional development. Edge•U Badges offers a dedicated suite of AI for Education badges that allow you to choose the specific path that fits your needs:
- Productivity: Use AI to automate administrative tasks and regain hours of your week.
- Pedagogy: Learn to leverage AI for lesson planning, creativity, and differentiated instruction.
- Ethics & Leadership: Navigate the "gray areas" of AI and lead your peers in responsible implementation.
Competency-Based Mastery
Unlike simple online certificates, these AI badges are competency-based. You don't just click through a slideshow; you submit evidence of your work to be reviewed by experts. You’ll receive personalized feedback to ensure you aren't just "doing" the work, you are mastering the skills.
Earn Credits While You Learn
Your growth in AI literacy deserves professional recognition. As you complete AI microcredentials, you earn points that can be converted into:
- Contact Hours: Meet state continuing education requirements.
- Graduate Credit: Move up the pay scale by redeeming points for university-recognized credit.
- Campus Leadership: Establish yourself as the "AI Expert" in your district.
Ready To Get Started?
Don’t let the AI wave pass you by. Start your journey toward becoming an AI-certified educator today. Schedule a demo with our team to explore the 'AI in Education' Curated Badge Collection.
New Year, New Us (EDU Coach Collective Podcast Rebrand)
Happy New Year, everyone! You are listening to the very first episode of the year, and if you noticed a new name in your feed, your ears aren't playing tricks on you. Welcome to the EDU Coach Collective!
We are so excited to kick off this season with a fresh look and a renewed mission. We’re still the same team from Forward Edge you know and love—former educators working as instructional coaches right here in the K-12 trenches—but we’ve evolved. This year, it’s all about the Collective.
So, what can you look forward to in this new chapter? We are leveling up our guest list to bring you even more diverse voices from across the country. In the coming weeks, you’re going to hear:
- Deep dives into the latest AI shifts in the classroom.
- Raw stories from coaches on the ground dealing with the same 'Sunday Scaries' as you.
- Expert strategy sessions on how to build teacher buy-in and lead from the middle.
We’ve been where you are, we’re still there with you now, and we’re ready to tackle this year’s challenges together. So, let’s get those headphones on and get inspired.
You’re part of the collective now. Let’s coach fearlessly!
Restart, Recharge, Rebrand!
To all of our valued, loyal listeners, thank you for being the heart of our community!
We are thrilled to officially announce that the Restart Recharge Podcast is leveling up and rebranding to become The EDU Coach Collective! This transition marks an exciting new chapter, and we are gearing up to make 2026 our most impactful year yet.
Finding Your Coaching Persona (Pt. 2)
This two-part series features hosts Jordan and Torie discussing the essential process of developing and resetting their coaching personas, especially when transitioning to a new environment or district.
In Part 2, the conversation likely pivots from sharing initial struggles (like navigating “Coach-ese” jargon and the cultural shock of starting over, which was covered in Part 1) to actionable strategies for earning trust and establishing a successful coaching identity in a new setting
We are thrilled to shine a spotlight on our newest Edge•U Learning Luminary, Shauna Oakwood! As a dedicated Media Specialist, Ed Tech Coach, and Dual Credit Instructor from Indianapolis Public Schools’ Crispus Attucks High School, Shauna embodies the spirit of innovative and ethical technology integration in education.
The Challenge
Shauna’s journey to this spotlight was powered by her exploration of the AI in Education: Create Edge•U Badge. Shauna's most significant "A-ha!" moment centered on transparency and ethical use. She realized that by being honest with students about her own use of AI as a teaching tool, she could facilitate a deeper, more ethical discussion about its role in their learning.
“This topic was ideal because we just finished our last essay and some students tried using AI to write their essays and they are mad that the AI outputs did not meet expectations, so I was honest about using AI for this lesson and explained why and how it was different than their essay assignment.”
The Application
Shauna leveraged her learning to tackle a cornerstone of her English curriculum: argumentative writing. To kick off the unit, she used the AI tool Diffit to create a tailored reading passage. She then integrated a suite of activities generated by the tool, including SAT-style multiple-choice questions, short-answer prompts to incorporate evidence, and Think-Pair-Share prompts to scaffold the students' writing practice in the familiar CER (Claim-Evidence-Reasoning) format.
The Impact
The result was far more than a successful writing lesson; it was a powerful teachable moment about technology ethics. Students engaged in a great, argumentative discussion about technology's value in their work. More importantly, they began to understand the critical difference between using AI as a tool for brainstorming and collaboration versus submitting AI-generated content without credit.
"Some students seemed to understand how AI is a great tool for brainstorming, but we need to credit when we use AI so we are not trying to represent it as our own work because that is not ethical."
Shauna's Advice for Educators
“There are badges for every education interest. Find whatever you love and start with those badges. Then, you can find badges that learn the new skills you learned and just keep learning new software and skills.”
Shauna's success is just one example of the impact you can have with Edge•U Badges. Did you know our microcredential content library offers over 25 Badges covering everything from AI to media literacy and instructional design? Find the skills you need to innovate just like Shauna!
Finding your Coaching Persona (PT 1)
Instructional coaches Torie and Jordan transition districts, moving from being established experts to the new kids on the block. Hear their hilarious struggles with “Coach-ese” jargon and the cultural shock of starting over. This conversation delivers actionable ideas on how to successfully reset your coaching persona and earn trust in any new school environment. Get ready to laugh and refine your pivot strategy!
Bringing Coaching to LIFE!
Welcome back to Restart Recharge, the podcast for coaches ready to level up their practice.
In this revolutionary episode, we're joined by Maureen Lamb, a true innovator who blends the ancient world with the future of learning. Maureen teaches Latin, a language often called “dead,” yet she's a cutting-edge AI expert and Google Certified Trainer.
We dig into the powerful practice of incorporating teaching and learning a language—even a dead one—and how these fundamentals can show you how to use technology not just as a tool, but as a path to more impactful coaching. Get ready to rethink everything, from self-care to teacher engagement, and truly restart and recharge your coaching practice.