by Emily Cowan
When the podcast got started, it came from a very real, personal need. In education, there’s endless professional development for teachers, but when you step into an instructional coaching role, training for the trainers is surprisingly hard to come by. Coaching can sometimes feel like you’re working on your own isolated island. The team wanted to leverage our collective experiences, missteps, and wins so that no coach ever feels alone in this work. Whether you've been with us from day one or just discovered the show, we’re looking back at the podcast's top 5 most-downloaded episodes of all time—and as a fellow coach and dedicated listener, I’m sharing a bit of why each one holds a special place in my heart! (P.S. Each podcast title is linked to the episode - so if you haven't heard it yet and want to give it a listen, you're just one click away!)
1. Episode 301: Recalibrate the Culture from a Coaches’ Perspective - With Jimmy Casas
Released 1/20/23
School culture isn't just something created by administration—it's felt in every hallway, classroom, and coaching conversation. This episode resonated so deeply because coaches are often right in the middle, navigating the gap between leadership’s vision and teacher reality.
"Culture isn't built in staff meetings; it's rebuilt in the daily, quiet interactions we have with teachers."
Why I personally love it: This one hit home for me because culture work can feel so invisible. I loved listening to this because it shifts the narrative from "culture is admin's job" to giving coaches actionable permission to cultivate positivity and trust in every single 1-on-1 interaction. It’s a great reminder of how much quiet influence we truly have.
2. Episode 214: Coach’s Checklist to Start the School Year
Released 8/30/22
The beginning of the school year can feel like a absolute whirlwind of setup, introductions, and competing priorities. It’s no surprise this episode skyrocketed to the top of the download charts!
"If you try to coach everything on week one, you'll end up coaching nothing by month two."
Why I personally love it: Back-to-school anxiety is real, even for seasoned coaches! I love this episode because it acts like a giant deep breath. Having a clear checklist meant I could stop holding a million open tabs in my brain and actually focus on building real relationships with teachers from day one.
3. Episode 010: PD Mini-Series Part 1 – A Year of PD
Released 6/29/21
One-off, "sit-and-get" workshops rarely lead to real classroom change. This classic early episode hit a major chord with instructional leaders looking for a better way to structure professional learning across an entire school year.
"Effective PD isn't an event on the calendar; it's a continuous, connected journey throughout the school year."
Why I personally love it: This was one of the team's earlier deep dives, and it represents everything we stand for in coaching: moving away from drive-by PD and moving toward meaningful, sustained growth. Whenever I feel stuck planning professional learning, going back to listen to the foundational ideas in this episode gets me excited about long-term coaching design all over again.
4. Episode 516: The A.I. Tech Lunchbox
Released 9/23/26
As AI tools rapidly entered classrooms, coaches were left asking: How do we actually use this effectively without getting overwhelmed? This Season 5 fan-favorite delivered quick, digestible, bite-sized tools for real-world integration.
"AI isn't here to replace the teacher or the coach—it's here to give you back your time so you can focus on the human side of teaching."
Why I personally love it: I am always here for any tool or strategy that maximizes efficiency! What I love most about this episode is that it strips away the intimidation around AI. It felt less like a high-tech lecture and more like sitting down with a friend over lunch to share cool shortcuts that actually make our lives easier.
5. Episode 404: Giving Feedback to Teachers: The End of the Compliment Sandwich
Released 2/27/24
We’ve all been taught the classic "compliment sandwich," but let's be honest: teachers see right through it, and the real growth message often gets lost in the middle. This episode addressed one of the hardest, most uncomfortable parts of coaching head-on.
"Teachers don't need fluff; they need clear, respectful, and actionable feedback that honors their professionalism."
Why I personally love it: Giving tough feedback used to give me knot-in-my-stomach nerves. Unpacking why the "compliment sandwich" fails was so liberating! I love this episode because it teaches you how to be direct while remaining deeply supportive and kind—a skill that completely transformed my coaching relationships.
The Common Thread: Mastering Every Dimension of Coaching
Looking across all five of these standout episodes, it is no shock that they’ve claimed the top spots on the download charts. Together, they span virtually every major dimension of an instructional coach's role. From shaping school culture and starting the year on solid footing, to designing long-term professional learning, leveraging cutting-edge AI tools, and navigating direct feedback conversations, these episodes address the full scope of our day-to-day work with clarity and heart.
Your Next Step
Whether you're looking to streamline your workflow, elevate school culture, or refine your feedback approach, there's something here for every stage of your coaching journey. Queue up these top picks for your next commute, planning period, or neighborhood walk!
We'd love to keep the conversation going:
- Join the Discussion: What’s a takeaway from one of these topics that resonates with your current coaching goals? Or, what’s your favorite episode that didn't make this top 5 list?
- Share the Value: Know another coach or instructional leader who could use a little boost or fresh strategy? Pass this post along to them!
Never Miss an Episode: Subscribe to the EDU Coach Network Podcast on your favorite listening platform so you're always in the loop when new conversations drop.
๐พ Want more?
๐ Read
- The Data Engine: Using Ai to Fuel Smarter Coaching Conversations
- Plating Up Success: Using the COACH Framework to Simplify Goal Setting
๐ Listen to The Listen to The EDU Coach Collective (formerly Restart, Recharge) Podcast
- Episode 506: Inside Elementary Literacy Coaching - Part 1
- Episode 406: AI in the Classroom: A Powerful Tool for TransformingTeaching and Learning
๐ฌ Watch (EDU Coach Network All-Access Members only)
