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District expands instructional coaching, advanced teacher roles to support classroom practice
Summary
Gaston County Schools highlighted a coaching initiative funded by a state grant and Title I dollars to place experienced teachers in leadership and coaching roles that provide in-class modeling, feedback and professional development.
GASTONIA, N.C. — At the Sept. 15 meeting the board heard a classroom moment presentation on Gaston County's instructional-coaching initiative and expanded advanced teacher roles, designed to provide job-embedded professional development and in-class modeling.
Why it matters: Coaching aims to improve teacher practice, support new entrants and accelerate student learning through sustained, in-class feedback rather than one-time workshops.
Janisha Alfred Simmons, the district's director of instructional coaching and advanced teacher roles, described the program's structure: coaches meet twice monthly for professional development, provide one-on-one coaching and give real-time feedback in classrooms. Simmons said the initiative launched with support from a state grant and Title I funds and identified goals for targeted support in innovation and Title I schools.
"We are a feedback culture," Simmons said, describing how coaches observe, meet with teachers for action steps and then model instruction in classrooms. Multiple coaches at Greer Middle School and Bessemer City Central Elementary were cited as early examples of how the work is operating in practice.
Simmons and teachers who spoke during the classroom moment said coaching has already led to stronger professional learning communities, more teacher voice in planning and increased student engagement in observed classrooms. The district said it will continue to scale coaching and monitor teacher- and student-level outcomes.
No board action was taken; the presentation was intended to show a program model and early indicators of impact.
