How can you bring friendly competition to your organization that supports professional learning, you ask? Lindsay Zilly, Director of Professional Learning for Illinois Digital Educators Alliance, relays how she created an environment that promotes risk-taking through gamification as a fun alternative to standard professional development.

This week we covered the importance of trust and taking the time to develop teachers, how questions are at the core of coaching interactions, why it's important to encourage risk-taking among staff, activities that promote collaboration during PD sessions, and more!

Find out the best ways to take end-of-year risks, how to help teachers connect with students, some great interview tips for future instructional coaches, how coaches can facilitate group coaching sessions, and more!

Just because the school year is winding down doesn't mean learning has to as well. Tonya Moody, instructional coach in Westfield Washington School District in central Indiana, believes end-of-year coaching cycles are the perfect time to encourage risk-taking and promote a culture of learning.

Lindsay Deacon, instructional coach in Portland, Oregon, shares how playing Bingo encourages intrinsic motivation for coaches and encourages them to step out of their comfort zone.

Dr. Christina Podraza, assistant principal and former instructional coach in Illinois, explains the benefits of innovation on new teaching practices and how to hit the ground running with your coaches and teacher leaders.