Now more than ever, educators need support from their communities. That’s why Digital Promise is launching a new professional learning community (PLC) for coaches—an online PLC designed for those who guide teachers in delivering academic instruction and building relationship-based classrooms to meet students’ needs. Full- and part-time, new and veteran coaches are welcome!
The Digital Promise PLC for Coaches brings together optimistic educators who are passionate about supporting teachers, who in turn create powerful learning experiences for students.
Coaches participating in the PLC will collaborate to share expertise, remove barriers to success, and implement strategies to support educators’ use of technology for student learning.1 We know coaches are an integral part of any school community—they are connectors, organizers, and leaders.
By joining the Digital Promise Powerful Learning Community for Coaches, you will:
Sign up here to receive updates on upcoming professional learning opportunities!
John Is a Technology Enhanced Learning Coordinator for a medium-sized school district in Ireland. John was the first Google Certified Innovator and the first ISTE Certified Educator in Ireland. His introduction to coaching was in Albemarle County Public Schools, Virginia where he worked as a Learning Technology Integrator and worked closely with the county’s Instructional Coaches within the school district. John worked in IT for 4 years before he became a teacher and has worked as a Project Officer for the Irish government agency responsible for technology in education. He has also worked as a teacher educator in a number of teacher education colleges.
His big aim for 2022 and 2023 is to try and get coaching off the ground in Irish schools and he, of course, also enjoys hanging out with these guys.
Connect: @johnmayo
True to her values for all children and youth, Dr. Belinda Karge devotes her career to ensuring that all students have the best success opportunities and leaders are equipped with necessary tools to transform education environments. She taught at both the elementary and high school levels and served in various leadership roles in public education prior to moving to the university. She was honored with the Council for Learning Disabilities Floyd Hudson Outstanding Service to the Field of Learning Disabilities National award and the Association for Childhood Education International (ACEI) service award. Dr. Karge has made plentiful referred presentations to international, state, and local groups of school district employees and has keynoted several conferences. She serves in various capacities as an instructional coach and has a passion for supporting all learners in a culture of inclusion. She also travels extensively as a consultant for the U. S. Department of State Office of Overseas Schools. You can learn more about her work here.
Upcoming Publication: Watch, Listen, Ask, Learn: How School Leaders Can Create an Inclusive Environment for Students With Disabilities
Connect: @dr_karge, LinkedIn, and Belinda.Karge@cui.edu
Jen Loescher has worked within the Clark County School District for 22 years. In 2018, she joined the Southern Nevada Regional Professional Development Program team as a Middle School Math Project Facilitator and is currently an Executive Senior Policy Fellow with Teach Plus Nevada. From 2009-2018, she had been serving Sedway Middle School as a Strategist (Math Focus) and Data Coordinator. Jen also previously taught 6th grade math for 8 years and 2nd grade for one year. She is an alumnus of the Public Education Foundation’s Teacher Leadership Academy, the Tuva Fellowship, and the inaugural Nevada Teach Plus Fellowship. Jen believes the power of effective instructional coaching will have an exponential impact on student outcomes.
Digital Promise Blog Publication: Every Instructional Coach Deserves an Effective Coach
Connect: @jen_loescher and LinkedIn
Matthew Rhoads, Ed.D. is an expert and innovator in educational technology and instructional strategy integration within online, blended, and traditional in-person classroom settings. As a practicing technology and instructional leader, trainer, integrationist, and coach in Adult Education, K-12, and Higher Education, he develops EdTech tool instructional integrations with research-based instructional strategies to drive instruction. He is a coach and professional learning specialist for new and experienced teachers within the consortium and at a local university. Dr. Rhoads publications focus on integrating instructional strategies with EdTech tools to amplify student learning within in-person, online, and blended learning classrooms.
Latest Books & Publication: matthewrhoads.com/books
Connect: @mattrhoads1990; matthewrhoads.com
Podcast: Navigating Education – The Podcast
Aggie is an Instructional Technology, Professional Development Specialist, Instructional Coach Leader, and Innovation teacher in Madison, WI. She is one of the initial curriculum designers and teachers for KP Compass, an online interactive curriculum platform. She is also a Google Educator and Google Education Trainer, Apple Learning Coach, Flipped Classroom, Responsive Classroom, NEARPOD Trainers Pioneer, and Restorative Justice Certified Trainer who provides training for various midwest school districts. She has presented at ISTE, DeICe, Google Summits, SLATE, Summer Spark, and WiscNet and is one of the EdCampMadWI organizers. Aggie also worked on digital piano instructions with Quincy Jones and Playground music and was the Quarter-Finalists for the 2016 GRAMMY Music Educator Award.
Connect: @AggieSalterITS
Instructional Coaching