Thomas County Schools has added two Elementary School Instructional Coach positions for the 2022-23 academic year.
Jordan Nelms will serve grades pre-kindergarten through first grade and Tanishia Barnhart will serve second grade through fourth grade. The coaches aim to bridge communication as they connect three schools in the district: Hand-In-Hand Primary (pre-K & K), Garrison-Pilcher Elementary (1st & 2nd), and Cross Creek Elementary (3rd & 4th).
Garrison-Pilcher Principal Amy Tyson said that the addition of two Instructional Coaches was prompted by discerning the needs of classroom teachers for curriculum support, lesson planning assistance, and help in delivering data-driven instruction.
Nelms and Barnhart met with curriculum teams over the summer to get linked with the teachers who serve as leaders in curriculum development. The coaches are meeting directly with all elementary school teachers on a weekly basis now that the school year has begun.
Tyson was delighted with the selection of Nelms and Barnhart for the two positions.
“They both have experience with instructional coaching and have great ideas for ways to collaborate and lead. They are doing a fabulous job creating unity and defining goals for vertical alignment,” Tyson said.
Hand-In-Hand Principal Dee Gaines said that both teachers and administrators are excited to have the extra support.
“Teachers want to learn and grow in their profession, and they are passionate about providing the best education to their students,” said Gaines. “Having an instructional coach available to build relationships, model lessons, provide and organize professional learning on campus, offer support with everyday challenges, and monitor data will not only support continuous growth in our teachers but will also improve students growth.”
Barnhart is elated to have the opportunity to support the teachers as an instructional coach.
“As the year unfolds, I anticipate a successful transition in collaborating, facilitating, and providing ongoing professional learning as a means of ensuring the academic and social development needs of students are met,” said Barnhart.
Nelms is looking forward to serving in the role as pre-kindergarten through first grade instructional coach for Thomas County Schools.
“I am passionate about building relationships and teaching with a focus on student learning. My goal for this year is to encourage, support, and collaborate with teachers in order to improve student achievement,” Nelms said.
The two teachers will spend time on the campuses respective to their roles with overlapping days at Garrison-Pilcher. The time spent will be a collective opportunity to dig deeper into the standards and drill down into student data with the outcome of intentional teaching and planning.
Barnhart’s recent experience in the classroom comes into play as she will be an additional part of the support system for teachers outside of what they rely on from fellow teachers and themselves.
“I want to help increase the transparency of what is expected from administration and convey that to teachers to affect what’s being delivered in the classroom,” said Barnhart.
Barnhart and Nelms aim to create a solid understanding of expectations and then aid the gradual steps that result in higher student achievement.
“The ultimate goal is increased student achievement,” added Nelms.