Instructional coach at J O Combs USD credits visual proficiency scales for kindergarten gains and district A rating

Dr. Selie Peoples, an instructional coach at J O Combs Unified School District in San Tan Valley, Arizona, said she supported a teacher who moved into a new grade level this school year by providing frequent check-ins, modeling classroom strategies and encouraging instructional risk-taking to help the teacher adjust.

Peoples said her coaching emphasized building a trusting relationship so teachers would feel safe to try unfamiliar practices. "My job as her coach was to really instill the confidence that she could take on this year," Peoples said, adding that regular contact and mutual trust were central to that work.

As an example, Peoples described collaborating with a teacher to turn proficiency scales into visual tools for kindergarteners. "One idea that comes to mind ... we had our kindergarteners who are so little," she said, describing visual, hands-on opportunities that she said increased engagement and "tremendously grew their student success autonomy in the classroom."

Peoples said she also provides in-class support by modeling strategies, observing, and offering suggestions when teachers request help. She emphasized autonomy for both teachers and students as an instructional goal: "They need to feel the power to control their environment and their learning," Peoples said.

Peoples described district recognition as a defining moment for her work. "One of the most defining moments in my work as an instructional coach has been not only achieving the A+ Excellence award but also getting an A rating from the Department of Education," she said. The transcript did not specify the timing of the awards or whether the reference was to a state or federal Department of Education.

Peoples framed the awards as team accomplishments, saying the successes reflect work by teachers and students across the school. She said her greatest achievement is the success of her students and teachers.