Instructional Coaches

1. How many years have you been a coach? 

This is my first year as an instructional coach. 

 

2. Why did you want to become a coach? 

In my former role, I was an assistant principal. During that time, I found that I really enjoyed helping teachers; however, there was not always time in the day to devote to this task. As an instructional coach, I can commit my time to solely helping teachers.  

 

3. What is your favorite thing about being a coach? What drives your passion for coaching? 

My favorite thing about being an instructional coach is learning from other educators. I love learning and I have a passion for education. Being around others who share these feelings truly is a blessing. All students deserve an opportunity to learn something every day, and I hope that I can support educators to do this valuable work.  

 

4. What is your favorite inspirational education quote? 

My favorite quote is not really an education quote, but it is one that I strive to live by:  “Work hard and be kind.” Educators should exemplify this standard to students daily. We may not all perform at the same levels at the same time, but we can all work hard every day and be kind to everyone. 

 

1. How many years have you been a coach?
This is my third year as an instructional coach! I was a classroom teacher for 26 years and am in my 28th year with Bedford County Schools. I love learning!

2. Why did you want to become a coach?
I believe that everyone has greatness inside of them. “Everyone can be great, because everyone can serve.” (MLK, Jr.) Being an instructional coach will allow me to serve, support and help teachers and students rise to their greatness and work towards Bedford County’s mission and vision. A good coach can make a difference, but a great coach can be a game changer. I want to be a game changing, instructional coach that serves as a voice for teachers and students in the learning process. Enthusiasm for learning is contagious and I want to be an advocate for education and the role it plays in molding our future.

 

3. What is your favorite thing about being a coach? What drives your passion for coaching?
My favorite part about being an instructional coach is collaborating with colleagues and learning from others. Creating partnerships with teachers is the best part. Supporting teachers on their pathways to our district’s goals is an important part of being a coach, while remaining student focused. Being able to celebrate teachers and students in the learning process is such a rewarding experience. “The most valuable resource that all teachers have is each other. Without collaboration, our growth is limited by our own perspectives.” (Robert John Meehan) I am honored to be a part of the instructional team that supports and builds capacity in our teachers. I love learning and want to serve and support our champion teachers and students on the road to success. Being a voice and an educational advocate for students and teachers is an honor. “Education provides the fullest opportunities for fulfilling ourselves. It is the access to all that a person has yet to learn.” Education can change your life and I accept the challenge of supporting learning in our district.

"Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world." - Nelson Mandela

 

This is my 6th year serving as an Instructional Coach at Harris Middle School. Prior to that, I taught 7th grade ELA at Harris.

 

I wanted to become a coach because I feel very passionately about helping teachers. I know the areas that I struggled with as a new teacher and what I would have loved to have support in personally. I love being able to provide that type of support to our teachers. I also know how important it is for teachers to have someone to bounce ideas off of and to seek out feedback about instructional practices. My goal at the end of each day is to help alleviate some of the stress my teachers feel and to make them each feel appreciated and valued. I work with a great group of teachers, and I absolutely love what I do!

 

3. What is your favorite thing about being a coach? What drives your passion for coaching?

I would say what drives my passion as a coach is seeing both our teachers and students grow. As I think about the specific challenges teachers and students have faced this year, I feel it is up to me to remind them of how far we have come and how much improvement we have seen not only in ourselves but in our students. I love being able to help teachers see the big picture and remind them of the impact they are having on their students.

 

I would say a quote that stands out to me is “The beautiful thing about learning is that no one can take it away from you”—B.B. King. I feel very strongly that our students have an unlimited amount of potential. As teachers, it is our job to equip them with the knowledge they will need to be critical thinkers in their day to day lives in order for them to make decisions that positively benefit them throughout life.

 

5. Feel free to provide any additional information you feel would be beneficial about yourself or your position.

I am a native of Bedford County. My entire K-12 experience was in Bedford County, and I love that I now get to serve in this position within our county. I have been married to my husband, Heath, for 7 years in June, and we have a daughter.

1. How many years have you been a coach? The 2022-2023 school year is my first year as an instructional coach. Prior to coming to Learning Way, I taught for three years at East Side Elementary and 13 years at Liberty.

 

2. Why did you want to become a coach? I have a passion for helping others and seeing them succeed. Being in this role can allow me to help teachers focus on their individual needs in the classroom, find resources to help bring growth in teaching and learning, and will allow me to help teachers get to a place where they are sharing best practices with one another. In turn, not only will teachers grow, but we will see our students grow in knowledge.

 

3. What is your favorite thing about being a coach? What drives your passion for coaching? At this point in my coaching career, my favorite thing has been being able to collaborate with others and share those thoughts and ideas I’ve seen and heard. I have loved being able to go into classrooms and see the great things happening within our building. What drives my passion for coaching is wanting to be a servant leader for the teachers at Learning Way Elementary. Servant leaders value people for who they are, not just for what they give to the organization. I want teachers to know they are valued, and I will work just as hard as they do, for them and their students. 

 

4. What is your favorite inspirational education quote? A quote that stands out to me is by George Evans, “Every student can learn, just not on the same day or in the same way.” I feel deep in my soul that every child can learn when given the opportunity and belief that they can achieve the desired outcome. Some may take longer than others or need to be equipped with the correct materials, but they will grow when the environment of the classroom is a positive and loving experience.

1. How many years have you been a coach? This is my first year as an instructional coach at Harris Middle School. Prior to being an instructional coach, I taught 8th grade math and algebra at Harris and in Rutherford County.

 

 

1. How many years have you been a coach? The 2022-23 school year will be my first year as an instructional coach at Community Middle School. 

2. Why did you want to become a coach? I want to be a servant to the teachers I help. Teaching is a tough job. I know what it feels like to have your emotional bowl empty at the end of the day. Teachers need as much help and encouragement as we give our students. I want to be someone who supports, encourages, and guides all teachers, not just our new teachers. Most importantly, I want to be someone who is worthy of this position. 

3. What is your favorite thing about being a coach? What drives your passion for coaching? My favorite thing about being a coach is being able to encourage teachers to keep going, to keep up the good work, to keep plugging away at their craft. There were times in my teaching career, especially at the beginning, when I felt alone, discouraged, and unsupported. As time went on, instructional coach positions were created in Bedford County, and I was able to work with two astounding instructional coaches who saved me! Right then, I knew I wanted to work in this capacity. I have always wanted to be an instructional coach so I could make sure no teacher felt the way I felt when I started my career 24 years ago.

 

4. What is your favorite inspirational education quote? My favorite quote isn't an educational quote, but I relate it to education and teaching. Kirby Smart, one of the greatest Georgia Bulldogs coaches of all time said, "You don't win games kicking field goals." There is a lot of truth behind this statement when talking about education. We can play the game, put a few points on the board, and maybe have a mediocre season. What really determines the outcome of the game are the big plays and the touchdowns. As with education, we can be satisfied with mediocrity and complacency, or we can work hard and win big.