In this episode of C3: Connecting Coaches & Cognition, Courtney Groskin and Sandy Heiser sit down with Craig Randall, author of Trust-Based Observations, to explore how reimagining classroom observations through the lens of trust can transform school culture, teacher growth, and instructional practice.

Craig shares his unique professional journey—from school counselor to international school leader—and how those experiences shaped his belief that observations should be rooted in relationships rather than compliance. Drawing on research, real-world examples, and years of leadership experience, he explains why traditional observation models often fail to improve teaching and can unintentionally harm teacher efficacy.

Together, the conversation dives into:

• What trust-based observations are and how they differ from traditional evaluation models

• The role of psychological safety in teacher risk-taking and growth

• Why focusing on strengths first builds relational trust and instructional momentum

• Practical, high-impact moves evaluators can make before, during, and after observations

• How trust-based practices support teacher cognition, reflection, and self-assessment

• Strategies for rebuilding trust when teachers bring past negative observation experiences

• Small shifts leaders can make right now to begin transforming their observation practice

Craig also shares a powerful story illustrating how quickly a culture of trust can spread—and why teachers deeply crave authentic, strengths-based feedback.

The episode wraps up with a rapid-fire round full of practical wisdom and encouragement for school leaders and evaluators at any stage of their journey.

• Website: trustbased.com

• Book: Trust-Based Observations (available on Amazon)

• Social Media: @trustbasedcraig

• Email: craig@trustbased.com

Episode Title: Elevating Coaching & Instruction with AI Host: Courtney Groskin Co-Host: Sandy Heiser Guest: Tori Fitka, Community Coach of the Year (2025), SchoolAI

In this episode of C3: Connecting Coaches & Cognition, Courtney Groskin and Sandy Heiser kick off the new year with an engaging conversation about AI, coaching, and instructional impact. They are joined by Tori Fitka, former high school science teacher and current Community Coach at SchoolAI, who was recently named Community Coach of the Year for 2025.

Together, they explore how AI—when used intentionally—can enhance teaching, deepen reflection, and build educator capacity without replacing the human side of learning and coaching.

Tori Fitka is a former high school science teacher turned community coach at SchoolAI, where she supports educators nationwide in leveraging AI and blended learning to create meaningful, student-centered experiences. With a background in digital learning and instructional coaching, Tori is passionate about thoughtful design, strong relationships, and using technology to serve a clear instructional purpose—not just because it’s available.

🧠 AI as a Thought Partner, Not a Replacement Tori emphasizes that AI should support educators by freeing up time for what matters most—relationships, reflection, and responsive instruction—rather than replacing professional judgment.

🔍 Reflection & Metacognition with AI The group dives into how tools like SchoolAI’s Assistants and Spaces can help teachers and leaders engage in ongoing reflection, analyze student work and data, and prepare for deeper coaching conversations.

🤝 Coaching at Scale AI can provide “just-in-time” coaching support for educators who may not always have access to a human coach, making reflective practice more accessible and consistent.

🛠️ From Curiosity to Confidence Effective AI professional learning is:

• Hands-on and experiential

• Grounded in real classroom use cases

• Supported by ongoing coaching and leadership

• Designed with time to explore, fail, revise, and reflect

🚀 Building Capacity Without Adding to Workload Successful AI rollouts are intentional, gradual, and responsive to teacher feedback—focusing on purpose, repetition, and celebration of successes.

🔮 The Future of AI in Education Tori shares her vision for the next frontier: moving beyond productivity toward AI literacy, modification, and redefinition of learning experiences—helping students explore content, careers, and critical thinking in ways previously impossible.

⚡ One Strategy Every Coach Should Have: Help educators clearly define goals, context, and constraints so AI supports thinking rather than replaces it.

⚡ Advice for New Teachers: Don’t reinvent the wheel. Use AI as a thought partner, focus on learning and relationships, and avoid burnout.

You can connect with Tori and access free trainings through the SchoolAI Community (available once logged into SchoolAI). Be sure to explore both synchronous and asynchronous learning opportunities.

In this episode of C3, hosts Courtney Groskin and Sandy Heiser welcome Joy De Los Santos, a special education coach with over 20 years of experience who now co-leads an instructional coaching team supporting nine districts.

Joy discusses her journey into coaching, practical strategies for overwhelmed teachers—including prioritizing high-impact supports and using visuals like visual schedules—and the importance of using data to guide decisions and build common ground among teams.

The conversation highlights what true inclusion looks like (access, engagement, and respectful peer interaction), leadership coaching to build capacity, and real coaching wins that helped teachers feel empowered and improved student outcomes.

In this episode:

• Courtney and Sandy share highlights from facilitating Day 5 of the Cognitive Coaching Foundation Seminar, celebrating the energy and dedication of their 35-person cohort.

• They discuss the transformative power of coaching conversations, including a moment where a 20-minute planning conversation left a participant feeling empowered and energized.

Featured Guest: Joy de los Santos Joy brings over 20 years of experience in special education, working with students from early childhood through high school. She now co-leads an instructional coaching team across nine districts, supporting educators in building inclusive and supportive classrooms for students with disabilities.

Key Takeaways from Joy:

• Her journey into special education coaching grew from supporting teachers and students while reducing high turnover rates and increasing inclusive practices.

• When teachers feel overwhelmed by IEP requirements or diverse learner needs, Joy recommends strategies that support multiple students across contexts to maximize impact with sustainable effort.

• Collaboration and alignment are essential: she emphasizes using data as a neutral tool to guide team decisions and resolve differing perspectives.

• For Joy, a truly inclusive classroom means all students have access, engagement, and respect for differences, not just physical placement in the classroom.

• Memorable coaching impact: supporting a veteran special education teacher to feel confident and effective with a challenging student population—demonstrating the power of coaching for teachers at any career stage.

Rapid-Fire Tips from Joy:

• One strategy every coach should have: Visual supports, especially visual schedules, to support student independence and classroom management.

Advice for new teachers: Feeling unsure is normal. Asking for help is a sign of strength, and no one has all the answers—especially early in your career.