School Stories: The Data Set You Should Never Ignore - Ep 10
🎙️ Who's on the Mic?
I had a great conversation with Patrick Mongrain, a friend and fellow education data enthusiast who's all about building lasting systemic change. With a decade of experience as a history and leadership teacher, MTSS coach, and a restorative justice specialist, Patrick has a wealth of knowledge. He's passionate about moving past "shiny objects" in education to focus on the instructional practices at the heart of it all. We talked about why data and coaching are so powerful, and why I agree with his mission.
💬 Episode Snapshot
Patrick shared his early experience as a teacher, admitting he was "mediocre at best" and how he felt awkward running into a parent from his first year. He realized that simply collecting a "chaos" of strategies from great teachers wasn't the answer. The real magic, he discovered, was in the how of teaching—the routines, relationships, and student interactions that create a strong classroom system.
We talked about my relatable experience of having students from my chaotic first year reappear in a later class. It was a painful but ultimately rewarding chance to prove myself. This led us to discuss how teachers often learn through "painfully" trying new things, like Patrick's first awkward Socratic seminar with seventh graders. He learned that building community and pre-teaching routines were essential for the strategy to work.
This idea of a foundational system is key to Patrick's philosophy. He uses the quote, "systems equals hope" to explain how a strong, coherent system of practices can diagnose what a classroom needs, whether it’s more positive feedback or stronger routines. He argues that a system built on community, routines, and feedback is informed by a variety of initiatives like trauma-informed care and restorative justice, making it a single solution for many needs.
Patrick also brought up an important and, honestly, mind-blowing point: educators should be collecting data on themselves, not just their students. He shared his innovative app, EdChanger Pro, that helps teachers and coaches collect data on their instructional practices, like the ratio of positive to negative feedback or student talk time. The app provides personalized resources to help teachers grow, acknowledging them as the experts in their own classrooms. It’s a tool that empowers teachers to connect their actions to student impact, a core principle we both believe in.
💡 Key Takeaways
Systems Over Shiny Objects: The key to lasting change isn't a constant stream of new initiatives. It's building a strong, coherent system of practices—like routines, community building, and feedback—that addresses the core needs of a classroom. This foundational system gives educators a roadmap and a way to diagnose classroom issues.
The Power of "How": Great teaching isn't just about what you teach, but how you teach it. The real magic happens in instructional practices and classroom interactions that create a safe, engaging, and predictable learning environment for students.
Data for Self-Reflection: We can't expect student outcomes to change until we collect data on our own practices. Data on instructional practices, like the ratio of positive to negative feedback, gives teachers objective insights that fuel professional growth and empower them to become agents of their own learning.
Protected Time for Growth: It's hard to improve without dedicated time and a supportive community. Patrick's system shows how coaches can collect data and facilitate conversations that lead to teacher-led growth, which is more impactful than being told what to do. It's about providing the data so teachers can connect their actions to the impact on students, leading to a sense of efficacy and excitement.
🎬 The EdChanger Pro App: A Glimpse into the Future of Coaching
Gamified Data Collection: The EdChanger Pro app helps teachers and coaches collect data on instructional practices in a fun, gamified way. Instead of a cumbersome spreadsheet, it's a "game" where you tap on your phone to track things like positive feedback or student engagement.
Personalized, Actionable Insights: After a session, the app sends an email with the teacher's data, compares it to optimal benchmarks, and provides three targeted resources for growth. This approach is intentional, respectful of teacher expertise, and leads to profound professional growth.
Empowering Teacher Agency: The app allows teachers to monitor themselves, providing a personal instructional coach in their pocket for just $10. It’s a powerful tool that helps educators take control of their own professional learning and focus on what matters most—making a real difference for their students. You can find the app in the app store by searching for "EdChanger Pro" or check out Patrick's resources on his YouTube channel and bio site, all of which he has made available for free.
In this episode of Data in Education, I had a great conversation with Patrick Mongrain, a friend and fellow education data enthusiast who's all about building lasting systemic change. With a decade of experience as a history and leadership teacher, MTSS coach, and a restorative justice specialist, Patrick has a wealth of knowledge. He's passionate about moving past "shiny objects" in education to focus on the instructional practices at the heart of it all. We talked about why data and coaching are so powerful, and why I agree with his mission.
Learn more about Patrick Mongrain at EdChanger.com
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Connect with Patrick Mongrain
https://bio.site/EdChanger
Email: pmongrain65@comcast.net
X: @MongrainVPS
LinkedIn: Patrick Mongrain
https://www.youtube.com/@EdChanger
EdChanger Pro App: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/edchanger-pro/id6741165826
