510 From Data to Action: Coaching Team Innovation
Dr. Jorge Valenzuela is a leading performance and education coach, author, and university instructor at Old Dominion University, as well as a speaker for Lifelong Learning Defined. He is dedicated to empowering educators through training in instructional innovation, action research, project-based learning (PBL), STEM pathways, entrepreneurship, and essential life skills. Partnering with Corwin, Dr. Valenzuela helps schools enhance core instruction with student-centered and impactful strategies. A published researcher, he also hosts the Lifelong Learning Defined podcast, offering practical insights and support to educators worldwide
Lakota Local Schools aimed to establish a common coaching framework, improve coaching practices, and enhance student outcomes. They chose Forward Edge's Instructional Coach Certification Program to achieve this.
Anchored in The Core of Coaching Framework©, the program focused on these key areas:
- Core Coaching Competencies: Coaches developed expertise in areas like relationship building, collaborative goal-setting, facilitating reflective conversations, data analysis, and more.
- Real-World Application: The program emphasized practical application of coaching skills through hands-on experiences.
- Systemic Coaching: Coaches worked to align all their coaching efforts to building & district instructional goals.
- Collaborative Learning: The collaborative nature of the program fostered a strong community of practice among coaches.
- Customized Support: The program was tailored to meet the unique needs of Lakota’s coaching team.

The results of the program?
- Unified Coaching: A cohesive team working towards common goals.
- Increased Effectiveness: 90% of coaches reported a significant boost in their impact.
- Data-Driven Practices: Coaches gained skills in using data for meaningful reflection and improvement.
- Broad Reach: 22 coaches positively influenced instruction for over 16,500 students.
Want to unlock similar results for your school or district? Download the case study to explore Lakota's strategies and learn how the Forward Edge Certification Program can drive impactful change for your district.
509 Reflections and Connections (New Coach Edition)
In this episode of Restart Recharge, we welcome Kaitlyn Frederick, an instructional design coach here at Forward Edge, who shares her unique perspectives on coaching, drawn from her experiences in both K-12 and the corporate world. Kaitlyn discusses the importance of creative marketing and truly listening to teachers' needs. She also provides innovative ideas such as “DoorDash PD,” offering teachers a choice of snacks and self-guided professional development delivered to their classrooms, and “Tech Talks,” designed to connect with teachers and assess their technology needs.
Coaches Camp
Professional development designed specifically for instructional coaches, like you!
Join us in Cincinnati – July 28th – 29th
or Virtually – July 22nd – 24th
NEW! The Core of Coaching Framework
Want to drive lasting impact? Get your copy of the Core of Coaching framework and transform your coaching approach. Click the link to learn more!
http://www.forward-edge.net/coreofcoaching
Podcast Team
Hosts – Katie Ritter & Matthäus Huelse
Producer – Celine Thomas
Editing Team – Ben Glasure
Social Media Team – Grace Brown
508 Getting AI Ready this Summer with Gemini
In this episode, we are excited to have Alex Melin, an instructional design coach from Forward Edge, share insights on AI in education, specifically exploring Google’s Gemini and its advanced features like gems, canvas, and deep research. Discover practical applications of AI for coaches, teachers, and educational leaders to enhance student learning and teaching efficiency. Learn how to start integrating AI tools in your everyday tasks and maintain human connections in the tech-driven world. This episode is packed with information to recharge your coaching batteries and get you excited for the new school year!
Coaches Camp
Professional development designed specifically for instructional coaches, like you!
Join us in Cincinnati – July 28th – 29th
or Virtually – July 22nd – 24th
NEW! The Core of Coaching Framework
Want to drive lasting impact? Get your copy of the Core of Coaching framework and transform your coaching approach. Click the link to learn more!
http://www.forward-edge.net/coreofcoaching
Podcast Team
Hosts – Katie Ritter & Matthäus Huelse
Producer – Celine Thomas
Editing Team – Ben Glasure
Social Media Team – Grace Brown
507 Inside Elementary Literacy Coaching – Part 2
Join Katie Ritter and Matthaeus Huelse as they take a closer look into elementary literacy coaching with guest Jaclynn Krella. Explore how AI is being integrated into K-6 classrooms, the challenges faced, and effective strategies for planning and enhancing lesson engagement. Learn from Jaclynn's insights on cross-curricular approaches, supporting non-ELA teachers, and the impact of video recording in teaching. Discover top tips for instructional coaches, emphasizing efficiency, creating opportunities, and the powerful use of video recordings. Perfect for instructional coaches, curriculum specialists, and teachers seeking innovative ways to enhance their professional learning. Connect with Jaclynn and uncover new strategies to recharge your coaching batteries.
Coaches Camp
Professional development designed specifically for instructional coaches, like you!
Join us in Cincinnati – July 28th – 29th
or Virtually – July 22nd – 24th
NEW! The Core of Coaching Framework
Want to drive lasting impact? Get your copy of the Core of Coaching framework and transform your coaching approach. Click the link to learn more!
http://www.forward-edge.net/coreofcoaching
Podcast Team
Hosts – Katie Ritter & Matthäus Huelse
Producer – Celine Thomas
Editing Team – Ben Glasure
Social Media Team – Grace Brown
506 Inside Elementary Literacy Coaching
Join Katie Ritter and Matthaeus Huelse as they turn their focus to elementary literacy coaching and welcome Jaclynn Krella, a seasoned educator with a Master's in Education and a structured literacy dyslexia specialist certification. Jaclynn shares her extensive experience as a classroom teacher, reading interventionist, and literacy coach supporting over 100 teachers. Dive into how she collaborates with teachers, sets student-centered goals, utilizes technology for observation, and analyzes impactful student data to enhance instructional practices. Whether you're a tech coach, literacy coach, or an education enthusiast, this episode offers valuable insights and practical approaches to effective coaching.
Coaches Camp
Professional development designed specifically for instructional coaches, like you!
Join us in Cincinnati – July 28th – 29th
or Virtually – July 22nd – 24th
NEW! The Core of Coaching Framework
Want to drive lasting impact? Get your copy of the Core of Coaching framework and transform your coaching approach. Click the link to learn more!
http://www.forward-edge.net/coreofcoaching
Podcast Team
Hosts – Katie Ritter & Matthäus Huelse
Producer – Celine Thomas, Matthäus Huelse
Editing Team – Ben Glasure, Matthäus Huelse
Social Media Team – Grace Brown
Announcing the Renewal of the Prestigious ISTE Seal for Edge•U Badges!
Edge•U Badges Achieves the ISTE Seal!

We are thrilled to announce that Edge•U Badges has once again received the prestigious ISTE Seal! This marks the third time our platform has been recognized for its high-quality design and commitment to supporting best practices in teaching and professional learning.
Edge•U is a powerful, instruction-focused professional learning system that adapts to the needs of educators. Edge•U builds teacher capacity and directly impacts student learning in the form of microcredentials (badges).
About the ISTE Seal
According to the report by International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE), “The ISTE Seal serves as a mark of high-quality product design for solutions that enable and guide high-quality learning. By choosing to demonstrate their commitment to supporting best practices for teaching and learning, these products show a purposeful and meaningful dedication to practical usability, digital pedagogical implementation, and the ISTE Standards. With a focus on user experience, product usability, and the most essential elements of instructional technology today, the ISTE Seal provides a set of criteria and simple indicators to guide educators, students, and technology directors toward the very best products on the market.”
By earning a Seal, ISTE verifies that this product:
- Promotes critical technology skills
- Supports the use of technology in appropriate ways
- Incorporates digital pedagogy and the learning sciences
- Addresses key elements of tech usability, user experience and user interface
- Aligns to ISTE Standards in specific way
Read ISTE’s Current Report On Edge•U!

The best way to learn about Edge•U is to schedule a demo!
505 Exploring NotebookLM for Productivity and Collaboration
Join hosts Katie Ritter and Matthaeus Huelse as they explore the highly-talked-about tool, Notebook LM, on this episode of Restart Recharge. Special guest Bryson Min-Ryan, Assistant Director of Learning and Development, shares his insights on how instructional coaches and adult learners can leverage Notebook LM to enhance productivity and collaboration. Discover its unique features, including customized AI-powered experiences, interactive AI-hosted podcasts, and collaborative tools that benefit educational settings. Perfect for instructional coaches, curriculum specialists, and administrators looking to boost their teams' efficiency with streamlined technology.
Find Bryson on LinkedIn!
Bryson Min-Ryan
Coaches Camp
Professional development designed specifically for instructional coaches, like you!
Join us in Cincinnati – July 28th – 29th
or Virtually – July 22nd – 24th
NEW! The Core of Coaching Framework
Want to drive lasting impact? Get your copy of the Core of Coaching framework and transform your coaching approach. Click the link to learn more!
http://www.forward-edge.net/coreofcoaching
Podcast Team
Hosts – Katie Ritter & Matthäus Huelse
Producer – Celine Thomas, Matthäus Huelse
Editing Team – Ben Glasure, Matthäus Huelse
Social Media Team – Grace Brown
504 Transitioning out of the Classroom
Join us as we discuss the transition from classroom teacher to instructional coach with our very own, Grace Brown. Grace, an instructional coach here at Forward Edge, shares her journey from teaching high school English to becoming a curriculum innovator and instructional design expert. This episode explores the challenges and adjustments teachers face when leaving the classroom, offering insights and tips for those considering a similar path. Grace discusses both the positive shifts and the unexpected difficulties of her new role, while offering valuable perspectives on maintaining professional autonomy, building a supportive network, and understanding the importance of perseverance and confidence. Whether you're an instructional coach, curriculum specialist, or someone eyeing an admin role, this episode provides a wealth of knowledge and community for educators at all stages of their career.
Find Grace on her Socials
Coaches Camp
Professional development designed specifically for instructional coaches, like you!
Join us in Cincinnati – July 28th – 29th
or Virtually – July 22nd – 24th
Edge•U Badges
Edge•U is an anytime, anywhere professional learning platform made for teachers by teachers!
Podcast Team
Hosts – Katie Ritter & Matthäus Huelse
Producer – Celine Thomas, Matthäus Huelse
Editing Team – Ben Glasure, Matthäus Huelse
Social Media Team – Grace Brown
503 The Core of Coaching Framework
In this episode of 'Restart Recharge,' Matthaeus Huelse and Katie Ritter introduce the Core of Coaching Framework. Special guest Brooke Conklin shares insights into developing this comprehensive framework that guides coaches through building relationships, implementing sustainable changes, and initiating organizational shifts. Learn how to measure impact, utilize data, and foster systemic change within school environments. Tune in to discover valuable tips and how you can implement the Core of Coaching Framework as an instructional leader, a single coach in a district, or anyone who want to systemically impact teaching practices.
Click here, to learn more about the Core of Coaching Framework and to get your own copy:
http://www.forward-edge.net/coreofcoaching
Follow Brooke on X/Twitter
@brookeconklin19
Coaches Camp
Professional development designed specifically for instructional coaches, like you!
Join us in Cincinnati – July 28th – 29th
or Virtually – July 22nd – 24th
Podcast Team
Hosts – Katie Ritter & Matthäus Huelse
Producer – Celine Thomas, Matthäus Huelse
Editing Team – Ben Glasure, Matthäus Huelse
Social Media Team – Grace Brown