Robert Garmston

Robert Garmston

Dr. Robert J. Garmston is an emeritus professor of educational leadership at California State University, Sacramento. Author of 12 books, he is the co-developer of Cognitive Coaching: Developing Self-Directed Leaders and Learners with Art Costa and co-developer of The Adaptive School: A Sourcebook for Developing Collaborative Groups with Bruce Wellmann. A former administrator in Saudi Arabia for the Aramco Oil Company, he has also served as teacher, resource teacher, principal, and director of instruction. For three decades, he has consulted and taught at international schools, both on site and at conferences. He has received awards for Book of the Year, two awards for outstanding articles, and recognition for his contribution to staff development. In addition to his work in educational settings, he has provided services to probation officers, California police officers, and the World Health Organization.

The heart of Dr. Garmston’s work is directed toward human growth, agency, personal and group efficacy, facilitation of meetings, presentation skills, collaboration, coaching for intelligent teaching, and psychological safety. Like Carolyn Mckanders, co-author of their most recent book, It’s Your Turn: Teachers as Facilitators – A Handbook, he is thrilled by the practical value teachers and others are gaining from the book and its accompanying workshops.These resources provide essential know-how and skills for leading meetings that are practical, relevant, safe and time sensitive.

Dr. Garmston has previously authored several books, including The Astonishing Power of Storytelling (2018), Transforming Teamwork: Cultivating Collaborative Cultures (2019), and It’s Your Turn: Teachers As Facilitators – A Handbook (2024). His books have been translated into Arabic, Dutch, Hebrew, Italian, and Spanish.