Kata Coaching: What to expect as a coach or learner-improver

June 17, 2026 12:00 PM
June 17, 2026 1:00 PM
Pacific time

Overview

Kata Series Session Six

In our final webinar of this series, Coach Tracy Defoe will share what you can expect from learning to be a kata coach, or from your first efforts as an improver with a coach. You may find some uncomfortable situations that bring up not only assumptions but your self-image and feelings of competency. Be ready to learn and grow new skills along with a mindset reset.

Host Company

Kata School Cascadia (KSC) is one of the world’s most active kata schools. We are based in the Pacific Northwest and welcome people to our community from all over the world. Since 2019, KSC has met every Friday at Noon Pacific on Zoom to talk kata. We host two in-person kata learning events in 2026. Everyone is welcome.https://kata-school-cascadia.org/

Presenter

Tracy Defoe is an adult educator turned kata coach. She is a co-founder of Kata School Cascadia and Kata Girl Geeks; both are virtual kata learning communities. Tracy’s mission has always been to be smarter about learning. She wants to help you be smarter about learning kata routines and rocking people’s worlds when they achieve the impossible. Her consulting practice is called TLFI The Learning Factor. Tracy is based in Vancouver BC Canada.

Maria Grzanka is a facilitator, instructor, and coach with over 20 years of experience in continuous improvement. She helps organizations design better systems and build lasting capabilities by focusing on both processes and people. Maria is based in Portland, Oregon USA. https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariagrzanka/

Mark Rosenthal is a co-founder of Kata School Cascadia and one of our most experienced and thoughtful coaches. After two decades in the trenches of Continuous Improvement, today Mark is a consultant who blogs as ‘The Lean Thinker. As an early adapter to kata coaching, calling it the ‘missing piece’ of the improvement puzzle that makes improvement about developing people. Mark is based in Washington USA.

Agenda

Wednesday, June 17, 2026 PT

11:55 a.m. Check in

12:00 p.m. Introduction

12:05 p.m. Presenter presentation

12:50 p.m. Q&A

1:00 p.m. Webinar concludes

PARTICIPANT BENEFITS

As you become a kata coach or as a learner-improver with a coach, there is a predictable learning curve. You will see and know what to expect so you can meet the experience with curiosity.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND

Leaders curious to learn more about kata a structured, scientific thinking framework for continuous improvement, a way to develop people and build a culture of learning and innovation.

Safety Requirements

OTHER REGISTRATION INFORMATION

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Cancelation Policy: This event may be canceled by AME for any reason. AME is not responsible for incidental costs incurred by registrants. For paid events, registration fee less a $20 administration fee will be refunded up to one week before the event. Substitutions may be made up to three days prior to the start of the event.

Fees

Complimentary

Location

Virtual

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