Gretchen Bridgers: Empowering Educators with Coaching

Gretchen is a National Board-certified elementary school teacher from Charlotte, NC.

In 2006, Gretchen received her bachelor’s degree at Marist College in Poughkeepsie, New York. In 2010, she received her master’s degree in Curriculum and Supervision from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.

Gretchen taught grades 2, 3, and 5 before transitioning into the role of a New Teacher Development Coach for The New Teacher Project [TNTP]. During this time, she also published her first book for new teachers called “Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn’t Teach You in College” to help prepare future teachers for the realities of life in the classroom.

For more than a decade, Gretchen has passionately mentored and coached educators, led professional development experiences for school building staff, and presented at district and national conferences as the owner of Always A Lesson. Her impact continues to amplify serving educators worldwide through her blog, Empowering Educators podcast, classroom resources, professional development courses and personalized coaching opportunities. She has since co-authored a book with over a dozen other elite educators called “Teachers Who Know What To Do- Experts In Education” to share proven strategies that transform classrooms and leaders around the world as well as written her third book “Always A Lesson: Teacher Essentials for Classroom & Career Success” that comes out Spring 2024.

Whether you’re teaching a lesson or learning one yourself, there’s Always A Lesson.

Show Notes:

-Strategies for super collaborative relationships, being an actual coach, under your leadership, and with your style. 

-Time and consistency are key- -What worked in coaching? What can we replicate?

-Coaching debriefs: no tangents, time-stamp, be open and honest. We are protecting our time. 

-That was a textbook example- super focus. You have to keep laser focus. Know what you are trying to accomplish and keep it consistent. Always connect it to the evaluation rubric.  

-Name the thing that you notice, and add one thing they can do to improve it. The important piece is to reflect on what happened, and also name one thing to improve it!

-Transparency and understanding that we are both learners is so huge! 4 aspects of instruction and order matter, pay attention to the sequencing. Lesson design as opposed to lesson planning.  Do you do them consistently at a high level? Logistics and details?

-Get to know your teachers and see where they are at. Please be present in the building. Be aware of the culture, keep tracking, and build in results. If you can set the system up for yourself, especially in a quantifiable way, make sure to show your impact!

-GO BE GREAT! - You are now empowered more than before!!! Do it and do it well!

-Truly listen and ask deep questions.

Connect with Gretchen:

Alwaysalesson.com

New Book Coming Soon: Teacher Essentials for Classroom and Career Success