My team and I are working toward big, multi-year learning goals for our elementary students. Last year, our teachers embraced professional growth, elevated our instruction and promoted so much student progress. We’ll keep pushing toward those goals this fall and embark on new professional learning journeys. As a principal, I can’t wait to jump in […]

When my principal first invited me to join Lincoln Middle School as an AP, she emphasized the importance of being a lead learner for our staff. She said, “We’re going to create a learning environment not only for students but also for teachers.”  Research has shown that the first three years of a teacher’s career […]

As a student, I was trained to have a very procedural approach to math. It wasn’t until I taught third grade that I realized I needed to think more flexibly. I knew I needed coaching to help me make the shift. I just didn’t know what I didn’t know.  Many of us grew up learning […]

When I first started as an assistant principal, leading a community of about 500 elementary school students, I was brand new to this school system. Nobody knew me. I wanted to introduce myself to teachers as someone committed to instruction, someone who could partner with them in student learning. But first, I needed to earn […]

As a K-12 STEM educator who partners with schools, districts and networks to develop inclusive, responsive and engaging mathematics for kids, I get to work with so many different teachers and teacher teams. Without a doubt, this is a challenging time to choose teaching or to renew one’s commitment to teaching. So I am sensitive […]

One of the pillars of my math coaching practice is my belief that the best coaching happens in the moment. In teaching, we have those opportunities for “just in time” direct instruction with students: When a student expresses a misconception, we jump right in and clear it up so the student’s learning can continue moving forward. This concept shapes the way I approach coaching as well, and it’s why I try to co-teach with every educator I coach.

You and your fellow school leaders have let us know: One thing that makes your team truly great is their investment in growing their practice to inspire students! But during weeks when teacher workloads feel heavy or student engagement lags, it can be harder for your staff to find energy for new professional learning and […]

We have the power to set the tone for our whole team’s collaboration.

How each of us can build environments of consistent, unconditional support for every student.

Why I put teacher-coach collaborations at the heart of my instructional plans – and why it works!