Coaching Impact Circles: Transforming Team Feedback Through Learning Labs with Morgan Davis

Join me in conversation with Morgan Davis, a coach's coach from Jeffco Public Schools, about reimagining coaching support through coaching impact circles. Morgan shares how her district is blending learning labs, research-based practices, and team coaching to create more effective professional development experiences. She discusses her innovative approach to "team coaching notes" and explains why maintaining a spirit of inquiry, rather than showcasing perfection, leads to more authentic teacher growth. 

The conversation explores how creating spaces for genuine teacher collaboration doesn't always require heavy structure, and why the most effective coaching frameworks emphasize vulnerability and continuous learning. Morgan also offers practical insights into how coaches can balance being both facilitators and learners while supporting teacher development across 166 buildings serving 81,000 students.

Episode Mentions: 

• Karrie Fansler’s Responsive Coaching Cycle
• BOCES
• Previous Episodes 
  • S2 E14: Risk-Taking with Instructional Coaches & Teacher Teams with Amy Ellerman & Morgan Davis
  • S3 E33: Why Instructional Coaches Need Their Own Coaches with Sam Bennett and Morgan Davis
  • S4 E2: The Art of the Classroom Visit: Insights from Morgan Davis on Effective Coaching Practices
• Morgan Davis & It’s About Making Space
• Jeffco Public Schools
• Morgan’s Coaches - Vicki Reed and Katie Grisham 
• Ron Ritchhardt’s - Cultures of Thinking in Action
• Jim Knight’s Impact Cycle
• Communities of Practice
• Sam Bennett
• Huang, J. W. (2023, November 28). 4 practices of warm demander teachers: A well-known approach that combines high expectations with a firm belief in students’ ability to succeed can guide them to deeper learning. The Learning Professional. 
• Killion, Joellen. (2024, August). Coaching heavy, coaching light: How to deepen professional practice. The Learning Professional, 45(4). 
• Denise Goldin-Dubois
• Team Coach Notes (Sample)
• Cognitive Coaching & Reflecting Map Questions:
  • Decisions: What decisions were you making before the lesson or in the moment?
  • Others: What are you noticing about students or other teachers in the classroom; other adults you are working or who are working with students?
  • Compare: How did this lesson compare to the design that was i

When teachers, coaches, administrators, and families grow together, they create schools where everyone is inspired and every student is fully engaged, supported, and ready to thrive.