Instructional Coaches

Meet Bedford County Schools Instructional Coaches

Bedford County Schools utilizes instructional coaches across the district to partner with classroom teachers in deepening their understanding of effective learning strategies. This commitment to continuous learning and growth helps us learn as a community of educators and helps us present lessons in ways that enhance student learning.

Click below to meet the instructional coach for your child’s school.

Meet Kristie Caldwell - District Instructional Coach

1. How many years have you been a coach? This is my 8th 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 Lee Ann Butts - District ELA Instructional Coach

1. How many years have you been a coach?
This is my 4th 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.

4. What is your favorite inspirational education quote?

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

Meet Sandy Powell - District Math Instructional Coach

1. How many years have you been a coach? 24-25 will be my 8th year as an instructional coach. This also marks my 22nd year of teaching. Most of my experience both coaching and teaching has been at the middle school level.

2. Why did you want to become a coach?
I enjoy helping people realize their potential and working toward common goals with others. Coaching provides an opportunity to do both of those things.

3. What is your favorite thing about being a coach? What drives your passion for coaching?
I believe in the power of education and learning. Students need and deserve every opportunity we can provide to them through effective instruction. My favorite part about being an instructional coach is the opportunity to support teachers to deliver student learning through high-quality engaging lessons. I always enjoyed it when my students were successful with content because of the instruction I was providing. Coaching is a way for me to help others enjoy that same success on an even larger scale.

4. What is your favorite inspirational education quote? Education is the difference between wishing you could help other people and being able to help them. -Russel M. Nelson

5. What other information do you feel would be beneficial to know about you or your position? I grew up in southern Illinois (Edwardsville) but moved to Nevada in 2006. I am really excited to be back east of Mississippi and look forward to working with Bedford County teachers!

Meet Karisa Matusek - High School Instructional Coach

1. How many years have you been a coach? 2024-2025 is my second year as an Instructional Coach after completing 25 years with Bedford County as a Mathematics teacher at Shelbyville Central High School.

2. Why did you want to become a coach? I wanted to be an Instructional Coach because I felt that I had the experience that could help the next generation of teachers in Bedford County. I had the BEST mentor teachers at SCHS when I began my career and this role helps me to “give back” to a career and craft that I have devoted almost half of my life to developing.

3. What is your favorite thing about being a coach? What drives your passion for coaching? I anticipate that my favorite thing about coaching will be the challenge. I will be visiting all three Bedford County High Schools and they will all need something different from me as their coach. I have worked alongside many of the math teachers in the county and now I will meet teachers from all disciplines across each school. I look forward to supporting teachers to help meet our district’s goals in whatever area they need it most. Some teachers enter education through non-traditional training programs, some teachers are in the first years of their career, some teachers may need help building a toolbox of teaching strategies and many will need encouragement and validation of the wonderful things that they already bring to the classroom every day. Improving overall student achievement and success through data-driven decisions, implementing best instructional practices, and providing professional development on updates and revisions to curricula and resources will drive my passion for coaching teachers.

4. What is your favorite inspirational education quote? An educational quote that I have found inspirational has been on my email signature for many years. It came from Abigail Adams in 1780. I think I first saw this quote on steps near the library at my Alma Mater, MTSU. “Learning is not attained by chance, it must be sought for with ardor and attended to with diligence.” Ardoris defined as enthusiasm or passion. Diligence is defined as careful and persistent work or effort. Teachers are perpetual learners and education is ever-changing and evolving. This quote reminds me to be intentional and purposeful in creating learning opportunities and to seek out new knowledge and skills. If not, growth will not happen and you will become stagnant. As a teacher in charge of other students’ learning, it reminds me that I have the challenge of modeling and inspiring that ardor and diligence to become lifelong learners themselves. I owe them my best in excellence, knowledge, and preparation … because it doesn’t happen by chance.

Meet Rebekah Spresser - Bedford County Learning Academy & Thomas Magnet School

1. How many years have you been a coach?

This will be my second year as an instructional coach after 16 years in the classroom.

2. Why did you want to become a coach?

I am passionate about literacy and want to help other educators develop into stronger literacy teachers so students can be strong readers.

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

I love getting to see all the different personalities and teaching styles that our teachers bring to our students. I feel that working with a variety of teachers makes me a better educator myself. What drives me is I believe that literacy is the cornerstone of student success. By helping teachers, I have the opportunity to reach more students through their teachers, setting up the students of Bedford County for success.

4. What is your favorite inspirational education quote?

Oh, there are so many good ones, but I'll go with "Education is not the filling of a pail but the lighting of a fire.” —William Butler Yeats

Meet Patti Clinton - Cascade Elementary School

1. How many years have you been a coach? This is my 3rd year to be a coach.

2. Why did you want to become a coach? I wanted to become an instructional coach because I love and respect teachers and understand their impact on students. I feel strongly that teachers need someone to come along beside them and support them with all aspects of their teaching responsibilities. This ultimately leads to student success.

3. What is your favorite thing about being a coach? What drives your passion for coaching? My favorite part of being an instructional coach is building relationships with the teachers. I love celebrating their successes and watching them grow as educators and leaders within their communities. I am very passionate about the students of Bedford County. I have spent my entire career here and want to help teachers invest in a place that has been so good to me.

4. What is your favorite inspirational education quote? "Develop a passion for learning. If you do, you will never cease to grow." - Anthony J.D' Angelo

Meet Deborah Smith - Cascade Middle School

1. How many years have you been a coach? I have taught middle school for twenty-seven years; this is my second year to be an instructional coach.

2. Why did you want to become a coach? As a teaching consultant for the Middle Tennessee Writing Project, I fell in love with supporting teachers and student learning. I am excited to work as a team, facilitating academic achievement for all students.

3. What is your favorite thing about being a coach? What drives your passion for coaching? I anticipate my favorite part about being a coach will be working with educators and observing all the best teaching practices going on in our classrooms.

4. What is your favorite inspirational education quote? “One child, one teacher, and one pen can change the world.” Malala Yousafzai

Meet Regan Aymett - Cartwright Elementary School

1. How many years have you been a coach?

This will be my 4th year as an instructional coach.

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 Kelsey Dennis - Community Elementary School

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? Community schools have always held a special place in my heart! Having experienced firsthand the impact a dedicated school community can have on a student’s love for learning, I felt a strong calling to return to the very place that sparked my own educational journey! My desire to become an instructional coach stems from a deep appreciation for the immense dedication that teachers bring to their students and their craft every day. I believe that just as teachers pour their energy and passion into their work, they deserve to have that same level of support and encouragement reciprocated. I am committed to being that source of support, recognizing and valuing the hard work of our teachers, and stepping in to help them thrive. By doing so, I hope to contribute to the success of every student at CES.

3. What is your favorite thing about being a coach? My favorite thing about being an instructional coach is the opportunity to collaborate with and empower teachers, helping them unlock their full potential to benefit students. The most rewarding part is seeing how our collective efforts can make a tangible difference in the classroom. What truly drives my passion for coaching is the impact that instructional coaches have had on me throughout my own teaching journey. Their guidance and support shaped me into the educator I am today, and that experience fuels my motivation to give back in the same way. I’m excited to partner with teachers, building them up so that together, we can create the best possible learning environment for our students.

4. What is your favorite inspirational education quote? I want all our students to wholeheartedly believe these words about themselves that the great Rita Pierson shared: "I am somebody. I was somebody when I came. I'll be a better somebody when I leave. I am powerful, and I am strong. I deserve the education that I get here. I have things to do and places to go."

Meet Kelly Beasley – Community Middle School

How many years have you been a coach? This is my second year as an instructional coach.
Why did you want to become a coach? My love for our community, teachers, and students lead me to this position. I have a servant’s heart and enjoy encouraging and supporting others. Teachers have an enormous, daily responsibility. I want to provide a safe space where teachers feel valued and supported to gain relevant skills to improve their instructional strategies. I want to provide a place where continuous collaboration leads to increased growth among students and teachers. A place where teachers are pushed to see the potential within themselves. “Learning sometimes occurs because someone insists that you recognize the excellence in yourself” – Rita Pierson. As a teacher, I have fond memories of other teachers pushing and insisting that I have valuable qualities within myself. This pushed me to accomplish things I would have never imagined possible. I want to be that person for our teachers. Teachers are a treasured resource and deserve support and encouragement as they work to provide high-quality instruction to ensure all their students receive the education they deserve.
What is your favorite thing about being a coach? What drives your passion for coaching? My favorite thing about coaching is the collaborative time I have with teachers. A meeting of great minds to exchange strategies, concerns, and methods to reinforce one another. This is also a time when I observe and learn from outstanding teachers. What drives my passion is the encouragement that is provided with coaching. Knowing that as a teacher you have support and someone there to walk alongside you as you learn and implement new instructional strategies is comforting. The great Rita Pierson stated that “teaching and learning should bring joy.” Coaching brings me joy! I find myself teaching and learning daily. What a wonderful job this is to be able to celebrate together the great victories and accomplishments of our work that leads to student academic growth.
What is your favorite inspirational education quote? “Never stop learning; for when we stop learning, we stop growing.” Jack Lewman

Meet Suzanne Sutton - Eakin Elementary School

1. How many years have you been a coach? 2024-2025 will be my first school year as an Instructional coach.

2. Why did you want to become a coach? I wanted to become a coach to make a difference in teachers' lives. I’ve always enjoyed mentoring teachers and helping any way I can. I believe that by helping teachers, we can work to improve student learning.

3. What is your favorite thing about being a coach? Because it is so important create a safe and trusting environment for teachers to grow, the development of positive relationships enables such an environment. A huge part of this is celebrating successes and growth in both the teachers and their students. To me, this is the true measure of success for an instructional coach.

4. What is your favorite inspirational education quote? “The more that you read, the more things you will know, the more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.” -Dr. Seuss

Meet Storm Taylor - East Side Elementary School

1. How many years have you been a coach? This will be my 2nd year as a coach after spending over a decade in the classroom.

2. Why did you want to become a coach? My teaching career hasn't been without challenges. As a new teacher, I faced significant struggles that even led me to step away from teaching temporarily. When I came back, I was lucky to find the support I needed in my 4th-grade team at Eakin who took me under their wings and equipped me with the tools and guidance I needed to become a good teacher. They built me up, not only as a teacher but as an individual. Those relationships inspired me to want to do the same thing for my fellow teachers who might be facing similar challenges.

3. What is your favorite thing about being a coach? What drives your passion for coaching? My passion is to build a community of support and belonging where everyone feels heard and included. Coaching allows me to build relationships and create a nurturing environment where teachers can receive the support they need to succeed. My vision as an instructional coach centers around being a comprehensive "teacher toolbox." I hope to use these relationships to develop trust that allows me to identify the unique needs of each teacher and offer them tailored strategies, resources, and insights that empower them. Just as my mentors did for me.

4. What is your favorite inspirational education quote?

"Success is not about the destination, it's about the journey." - Ted Lasso

This quote (from the greatest coach on TV) speaks to the value of the experiences, growth, and learning that occur along the way toward your goals. The journey through education is never without its challenges, but the victories and moments of growth are just as important as the outcome.

Meet Ross Wilson - Harris Middle School

1. How many years have you been a coach? - This is my second year as an instructional coach at Harris Middle School. Prior to being an instructional coach, I taught 10th-grade English at Shelbyville Central High School.

2. Why did you want to become a coach? - As a new teacher, I lacked confidence and struggled to find my strengths, but my instructional coach and other mentors helped me grow as an educator quickly and significantly. If it were not for their support, I do not believe I would have developed the confidence and skills to remain a teacher. Even though I am still growing as an educator, I want to provide that support to new educators. Entering the teaching profession is difficult, and I want to help encourage our new teachers to make Bedford County a home to grow professionally.

3. What is your favorite thing about being a coach? What drives your passion for coaching? - Honestly, my favorite thing about being a coach is seeing our teachers in action, especially when I get to see instructional strategies that I can share with other teachers. Watching teachers and students grow is what drives my passion for coaching.

4. What is your favorite inspirational education quote? - "You are always a student, never a master. You have to keep moving forward." (Conrad Hall). I always try to emphasize this idea to my students, but I think it applies especially well to educators. We must be willing to learn new ways of engaging students. Even as a coach, I am learning new ways to best prepare our students for the future.

Meet Ali Taylor - Learning Way Elementary School

1. How many years have you been a coach?

This is my 2nd year as an instructional coach.! I previously taught 3rd grade for 9 years, and 2nd grade for the first semester of the 23-24 school year. I am beyond excited to begin my journey as a coach!

2. Why did you want to become a coach?

I truly have a servant’s heart. It has always been a passion of mine to help others in any capacity. As I taught in the classroom for 9 and a half years, it was evident that there was a need for the support of our teachers! I have the highest respect for what teachers do every day, and I am excited to have the chance to coach our wonderful teachers and be a true support system for all of them.

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

My favorite part of coaching so far is seeing all of the amazing work that our teachers are doing! Their hard work and dedication do not go unnoticed; I have done my best to ensure they know that. The amount of collaboration they are willing to take part in is invaluable and I have loved being a guide in that collaboration. Learning from each other as teachers is one of the most important parts of education, and it has been a joy to learn from each other and share ideas. As their coach, I hope to be a true support in all aspects of their career in education!

4. What is your favorite inspirational education quote?

One of my favorite inspirational education quotes is a reflection of my belief in strong collaboration among educators. This rings true in classrooms as we are educating our students, as well.

“Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.” -Benjamin Franklin

Meet Lindy Holland - Liberty School

1. How many years have you been a coach?

This is my 5th year serving as an instructional coach for Liberty School and my 16th year teaching.

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 16 years of teaching and in my fourth year of 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 Melynda Whitaker - Southside Elementary School

1. How long have you been a coach?

This year is my 4th year as a coach. I started at Harris as a math coach before coming to Southside.

2. Why did you want to become a coach?

In 2019, I was a facilitator for the math state standards training. While I had been a department chair and led many professional development sessions previously, this was an all new experience! I loved working with teachers to develop their understanding of what we teach and how best to teach it. I saw teachers who were hungry for knowledge of best practices. This made me want to work with adults all the time.

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

I love getting to see other teachers teaching. My favorite part is watching a teacher bring a lesson to life, especially if I have been able to plan alongside the teacher. My passion for education and for coaching is driven by a constant desire to learn more. When I came to Southside, I had a lot to learn about early elementary standards and practices. The teachers at Southside have been willing to let me watch them teach and work together, and I have done considerable reading and research about early literacy. I still have much to learn! I also feel my passion being fueled when I see a teacher learn and grow as a result of his/her own drive for learning.

4. What is your favorite inspirational education quote?

Lilly Tomlin once said, "The road to success is always under construction." This quote reminds me that we should always be growing.