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District instructional coaching team outlines mentoring, coaching and induction supports for teachers
Summary
Instructional coaches and mentor-mentee program leads described coaching roles, differentiated mentoring for new and experienced teachers, data-driven supports, and planned framework work for next school year.
Ralston Public Schools’ instructional coaching team presented the district’s teacher-coaching, mentor-mentee induction and instructional-technology supports to the board.
Amber Scott, Mindy Pajaza, Tim Kreher and Lindsay Kelly explained the multiple coaching roles they provide — from resource curation and curriculum support to technology integration and individualized coaching cycles. Scott summarized work with new teachers, second- and third-year teachers and building-wide PLC support; Pajaza described data-coaching tasks and work with assessment data and backward-planning; Kreher, the district’s instructional-technology coach, described resource creation, in-class technology demonstrations and a weekly tip newsletter used to boost visibility; and Kelly outlined mentor program structure and meeting designs.
The presenters reported program outcomes and formative feedback from teachers: mentors provide responsive feedback, mentees can observe veteran teachers and the program uses monthly “it works” strategy exchanges. The team noted only nine teachers in the district were new to the profession this year, which required differentiation within the induction program because most mentees had prior experience.
Planned next steps include creating a formal instructional coaching framework and vision statement for 2025–26 to clarify roles, expectations and services across the district. Board members thanked the team for supporting retention and instructional continuity; no formal action was taken.
