# Ep: 191 - Craig Randall: Stop Scoring Teachers. Start Growing Them.

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/stories-from-real-life-6457238/ep-191-craig-randall-stop-scoring-teachers-start-growing-them
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/stories-from-real-life-6457238/ep-191-craig-randall-stop-scoring-teachers-start-growing-them.md
Podcast: [Stories from Real Life](https://stenobird.com/podcast/stories-from-real-life-6457238)
Published: 2026-03-03T09:00:00+00:00
Episode link: https://storiesfromreallife.substack.com/p/ep-191-craig-randall-stop-scoring
Audio file: https://api.substack.com/feed/podcast/188802565/3ad10c2733606dfd12f64ed9dd6c34f4.mp3
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/stories-from-real-life-6457238/episodes/ep-191-craig-randall-stop-scoring-teachers-start-growing-them
Duration seconds: 2125

## Resource

Episode summary: Teacher observation is supposed to improve teaching and learning—but Craig Randall argues that in many schools it produces fear, limits risk-taking, and reduces growth. Craig shares the core principles of Trust-Based Observations (TBO) , including strengths-based walkthroughs, reflective follow-up conversations, and the routines leaders can use to build a culture of trust and continuous improvement. In this episode, we cover: * Why many traditional observation systems backfire (fear vs. growth) * The mentorship moment that shaped TBO—and the two questions that drive the model * What a high-impact 20-minute observation looks like (and why frequency matters) * How to run post-observation conversations that build trust and spark teacher reflection * Common implementation mistakes and how to avoid turning TBO into another checklist * What changes in a school when teachers feel safe taking instructional risks Guest: Craig Randall — author and founder of Trust-Based Observations Links: Trust-Based Observations / Meet Craig Stories from Real Life Get full access to Melvin E. Edwards at storiesfromreallife.substack.com/subscribe

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## Transcript

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