Episode Summary:

Teacher evaluation has long been a source of frustration—for both educators and administrators. In this episode of the Leaning Into Leadership podcast, I sit down with Craig Randall, the developer and author of Trust-Based Observations, to reimagine what teacher observation can and should look like.

Craig shares how shifting the focus from ratings to relationships not only supports teacher growth but also transforms school culture. We talk about why most traditional evaluation models actually hinder innovation, how to build psychologically safe spaces for professional learning, and what it takes to move from a compliance-based mindset to one of curiosity, collaboration, and trust.

You’ll also hear:

• The 9 key pedagogical focus areas of the TBO system
• How to navigate time and legal constraints with TBO
• Why great teachers still need—and crave—strong feedback
• What Brene Brown’s “trust marbles” have to do with better instructional leadership
• How leaders can model the exact mindset they want teachers to bring to their classrooms

Whether you’re a district leader, principal, or aspiring administrator, this episode will challenge your assumptions and offer a clear path to better, more human-centered instructional leadership.

Craig Randall is the developer and author of Trust-Based Observations. Over the past 30+ years, he has worked in education as a counselor, coach, teacher, and principal. Today, Craig trains school leaders around the globe in the TBO system—a framework that replaces fear-based evaluations with trust-driven feedback, resulting in stronger instruction, teacher innovation, and school cultures rooted in psychological safety.

Craig is also the host of the 20 Minutes of Teaching Brilliance (On the Road with Trust-Based Observations) podcast, where he highlights real conversations with classroom teachers about what makes great teaching and learning come alive. He frequently speaks at education conferences and is currently working on his second book.

📘 Learn more at: trustbased.com

📧 Contact: craig@trustbased.com

🎙️ Podcast: 20 Minutes of Teaching Brilliance

📱 Connect:

• X/Twitter: @TrustBasedCraig
• LinkedIn: Craig Randall
• Facebook + Instagram: Craig Randall
• Bluesky: @trustbasedcraig.bsky.social