Instructional Coaches
Meet Bedford County Schools Instructional Coaches
"Bedford County Schools is blessed to have amazing Instructional Coaches. These dedicated teachers work to deepen their understanding of effective learning strategies and then they share them with classroom teachers across the District. This commitment to continuous growth helps us to learn as a community of educators and present lessons in a way that will greatly enhance the learning for students. I feel honored to work with a group who strives to help all the children in our county grow, learn, and reach their potential."
- Chad Fletcher, Federal Programs Supervisor
Meet Kristie Caldwell - Learning Way Elementary School
1. How many years have you been a coach?
This is my 4th year to be an instructional coach.
2. Why did you want to become a coach?
There are several reasons I wanted to be a coach, but the most important one is that I genuinely care about and enjoy helping people. One of my favorite educators, Rita Pierson, believes that every child deserves to have a champion who never gives up on them, understands the power of connection, and insists they become the best they can possibly be. I believed that with all my heart in my classroom, and I want to share that with the adults in my school as well! I want to help teachers find and grow the greatness within themselves, and I want them to know that I will always be there to support them-even when it’s hard.
3. What is your favorite thing about being a coach? What drives your passion for coaching?
My favorite thing about coaching is the same as it was for teaching. I love it when a teacher learns how to overcome a problem they have struggled with, or when they learn something new, give it a try, and it works! I love listening to what is troubling teachers and looking for solutions and trying them out and knowing that even if they don’t work, it’s ok. We just keep doing the hard work together. I know I’m doing my job well when I have coaching conversations with teachers and they can self-reflect and recognize what went well and what they need to improve on their own. That’s the best…..building capacity! The realization that creating capacity in teachers to be excellent ultimately creates excellent learning opportunities for the students in my school is the passion that drives me to be a coach with impact. Our students deserve all of us to be excellent!
4. What is your favorite inspirational education quote?
One of my favorite inspirational education quotes is from Aristotle: Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all.
Meet Lindy Holland - Liberty School
1. How many years have you been a coach?This is my second year serving as an Instructional Coach for Liberty School.
2. Why did you want to become a coach?
The short answer is I have a passion to serve, help, and support teachers which will also help our students. I love teaching and love our students. Similar to educator Rita Pierson's quote, I believe "Every teacher deserves a champion: An Instructional Coach who will never give up on them, who understands the power of connection and insists they become the best they can possibly be."
I want to help teachers become the best versions of themselves in the classroom. Educators are some of the most dedicated, hard-working people I know. As my teaching years passed, I had this feeling I just couldn’t shake, a longing, to help teachers…to do more. I knew in my heart that I wanted this, to be a coach, more than anything else. The thing is, I wholeheartedly believe in our teachers and believe they have the ability to move mountains in regards to student growth. But, just like every great athlete, doctor, scientist, etc. they need a coach, someone to know them, truly care for them, and be willing to team up/partner up together so we both become better educators…better at what we do.
3. What is your favorite thing about being a coach? What drives your passion for coaching?
The relationships… the best part of the job is the ability to connect with the teachers and see just how truly great they are. The chance to work side by side with them, get in the trenches with them, and work together to give our kids the best possible education.
4. What is your favorite inspirational education quote?
"Students don't care how much you know until they know how much you care." - John Maxwell
Clearly, I am a quote gal. But, I believe the above quote goes for teachers too. Teachers don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care. My goal is for every teacher I encounter to feel valued, appreciated, and supported.
5. Feel free to provide any additional information you feel would be beneficial about yourself or your position.
I am blessed with two wonderful children, Annalise and McKinley. These two girls are the light of my life. Since a little girl, I always wanted to be a teacher in Bedford County. After 13 years of teaching and almost two coaching, I can say I still absolutely love my job and working in this school system. So here I am…just living my childhood dream!
Meet Regan Aymett - Eakin Elementary School
1. How many years have you been a coach?This is my first year.
2. Why did you want to become a coach?
I am passionate about improving the quality of instruction and learning opportunities for students in Bedford County.
3. What is your favorite thing about being a coach? What drives your passion for coaching?
My favorite thing about being a coach is to watch student learning improve. When I see the growth in writing as I look at work in the hallway, I feel a sense of pride and accomplishment. I believe every child deserves access to the highest quality education possible, and it is my mission to help all teachers provide the best instruction for children in Bedford County.
4. What is your favorite inspirational education quote?
"When your heart is in your dream, no challenge is too extreme."
Meet Colleen Casamassima - Community Elementary School
1. How many years have you been a coach?This is my first year as a coach.
2. Why did you want to become a coach?
I wanted the opportunity to aid teachers in becoming confident in their educational practices and new teaching methods. When teachers have help, training, and feel valued it will transition into effective teaching and learning for our students in the county.
3. What is your favorite thing about being a coach? What drives your passion for coaching?
I enjoy being a coach because it allows me to work with others, support them, and collaborate with them. Coaching can create an environment that is positive and connected within a school. It is a bridge for teachers to share resources and strengths, while they learn new, exciting things that are happening within education.
Helping teachers and students is what motivates me in this profession. I enjoy the collaboration and learning that takes place among the teachers in our building. Everyone has a shared vision of becoming more effective so that they, in turn, create wonderful learning environments for our students.
4. What is your favorite inspirational education quote?
“The goal of education is not to increase the amount of knowledge but to create the possibilities for a child to invent and discover, to create men who are capable of doing new things.“ - Jean Piaget
2. Why did you want to become a coach?
I wanted the opportunity to aid teachers in becoming confident in their educational practices and new teaching methods. When teachers have help, training, and feel valued it will transition into effective teaching and learning for our students in the county.
3. What is your favorite thing about being a coach? What drives your passion for coaching?
I enjoy being a coach because it allows me to work with others, support them, and collaborate with them. Coaching can create an environment that is positive and connected within a school. It is a bridge for teachers to share resources and strengths, while they learn new, exciting things that are happening within education.
Helping teachers and students is what motivates me in this profession. I enjoy the collaboration and learning that takes place among the teachers in our building. Everyone has a shared vision of becoming more effective so that they, in turn, create wonderful learning environments for our students.
4. What is your favorite inspirational education quote?
“The goal of education is not to increase the amount of knowledge but to create the possibilities for a child to invent and discover, to create men who are capable of doing new things.“ - Jean Piaget
Meet Katie Myers - East Side Elementary School
1. How many years have you been a coach?One. This is my first year in this role.
2. Why did you want to become a coach?
I saw a way to help support my fellow coworkers. Teaching is a mentally taxing job, therefore, it can be nice to have someone in your corner looking ahead for you and advocating for your needs.
3. What is your favorite thing about being a coach? What drives your passion for coaching?
This one is a hard question to answer as a first year coach. I’m still learning the job and everything it entails. I appreciate the opportunity to work more closely with my coworkers, and to be able to be in so many different classrooms to see the awesome instruction that is happening.
4. What is your favorite inspirational education quote?
I’m not sure if this is an “educational quote” per se, but it is one that I use daily within my educational experience working in schools. “Do not think that love in order to be genuine has to be extraordinary. What we need is to love without getting tired. Be faithful in small things because it is in them that your strength lies.” – Mother Teresa
Meet Carol Anne Webb - Southside Elementary School
1. How many years have you been a coach?This is my second year as a coach at Southside Elementary. I am a Shelbyville native and attended Southside for elementary school. I moved from Shelbyville in 1993 and taught 20 years in another district. I was thrilled to return to the school that helped shape my elementary years and feel extremely blessed to work with such a great group of educators!
2. Why did you want to become a coach?
My goal as a coach is to inspire teachers to continually learn and improve their craft. Teaching is a work of art and a work of heart. It combines the science of cognitive development, as well as the emotional development, of a child through guided learning. The teachers are my inspiration as they endeavor to inspire their students through quality instruction, high expectations, and the greatest love. Southside’s students know they are loved, and you can feel it in the atmosphere when you enter the building.
3. What is your favorite thing about being a coach? What drives your passion for coaching?
I love working with our outstanding faculty and staff, and it is a moving and beautiful experience to watch children absorb knowledge at all levels. Working with teachers to look at the whole child, when connecting to them, brings me such joy. Southside is truly a wonderful place for both children and adults!
4. What is your favorite inspirational education quote?
“Children are apt to live up to what you believe of them.” - Lady Bird Johnson
Meet Melynda Whitaker - Harris Middle School
After 9 years of classroom teaching, this is my first year as an instructional coach. I worked for the TDOE a couple of years ago facilitating standards trainings for teachers across the state, and I found I enjoyed working with adults and watching teachers learn and grow even more than I loved being in my classroom. Teaching can be a challenging job because teachers give everything of themselves to their students. I get to pour into those teachers so they can pour into our students. I have loved being a coach because I am here to support the greatest profession in the world. I can see the impact each teacher is making on the lives of the community we serve, and I love being a part of that great work. I miss the time in my classroom, the relationships I had with children, and seeing the growth in children through the year; but being a coach has allowed me to be a part of the learning and growth of the teachers at Harris, which has allowed me in turn to be in every math classroom. We have teachers who bring a lot of talent and skill to our classrooms, and I love being in a position to foster and develop their talents and passions. I believe in the power of education to positively impact our community, and the best way to do that is to positively impact the teachers. I am so thankful to be a part of that!
Meet Hannah Fanning - Harris Middle School
1. How many years have you been a coach?This is my 4th year serving as the ELA Instructional Coach at Harris Middle School. Prior to that, I taught 7th grade ELA at Harris.
2. Why did you want to become a coach?
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 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.
4. What is your favorite inspirational education quote?
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 6 years in June, and we are expecting our first child this spring.
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 6 years in June, and we are expecting our first child this spring.
Meet Lee Ann Butts - K-12 Districtwide
1. How many years have you been a coach?
This is my first year as an instructional coach!!! I was a classroom teacher for 26 years. I love learning!
This is my first year as an instructional coach!!! I was a classroom teacher for 26 years. 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.
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.
4. What is your favorite inspirational education quote?
"Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world." - Nelson Mandela
5. Feel free to provide any additional information you feel would be beneficial about yourself or your position.
I have an awesome family. I have two fantastic children. Logan is 28 years old and works at Lipscomb University. Anna is 21 years old and is a junior at MTSU. And, I take care of my 86-year old sweet dad. I have been happily married for 32 years and love my life! My family is my most valuable asset and my greatest accomplishment. I am grateful for the opportunity to serve Bedford County as a District Instructional Coach and am committed to helping others.
I have an awesome family. I have two fantastic children. Logan is 28 years old and works at Lipscomb University. Anna is 21 years old and is a junior at MTSU. And, I take care of my 86-year old sweet dad. I have been happily married for 32 years and love my life! My family is my most valuable asset and my greatest accomplishment. I am grateful for the opportunity to serve Bedford County as a District Instructional Coach and am committed to helping others.
Meet Sharron Hofer - K-12 Districtwide
1. How many years have you been a coach?
This is my 11th year to be an instructional coach.
2. Why did you want to become a coach?
I absolutely love learning! I have always enjoyed collaborating with my fellow educators to find the best strategy to reach each student and to teach each standard. It is like solving a puzzle! Being an instructional coach enables me to support and assist teachers in building their own capacity and to enhance their ability to meet their students’ needs.
3. What is your favorite thing about being a coach? What drives your passion for coaching?
I have a very special place in my heart for new teachers. I love helping them fill their instructional toolboxes. Watching teachers grow and be successful in their own classrooms and seeing their students thrive and learn is very exciting to me! I love designing professional development that meets the needs of my teachers and helps them to maximize their potential. I treasure all of the relationships that I have formed with so many teachers over the years of instructional coaching and I am so grateful for the opportunity to work with and learn from the dedicated professionals in Bedford County!
4. What is your favorite inspirational education quote?
"Unless we reach into our students' hearts, we have no entry into their minds." - Regie Routman
This is my 11th year to be an instructional coach.
2. Why did you want to become a coach?
I absolutely love learning! I have always enjoyed collaborating with my fellow educators to find the best strategy to reach each student and to teach each standard. It is like solving a puzzle! Being an instructional coach enables me to support and assist teachers in building their own capacity and to enhance their ability to meet their students’ needs.
3. What is your favorite thing about being a coach? What drives your passion for coaching?
I have a very special place in my heart for new teachers. I love helping them fill their instructional toolboxes. Watching teachers grow and be successful in their own classrooms and seeing their students thrive and learn is very exciting to me! I love designing professional development that meets the needs of my teachers and helps them to maximize their potential. I treasure all of the relationships that I have formed with so many teachers over the years of instructional coaching and I am so grateful for the opportunity to work with and learn from the dedicated professionals in Bedford County!
4. What is your favorite inspirational education quote?
"Unless we reach into our students' hearts, we have no entry into their minds." - Regie Routman