State-funded reading coaches begin county rollout, coaches emphasize support-not-evaluation

Superintendent Turner introduced two reading coaches funded by a state West Virginia Impact Plus grant and turned the floor over to Cynthia Anderson and Lindsay Blake, who described a three-step coaching cycle: standards-based goal setting, target development and pre/post assessments, plus a 4–6 week co-planning/co-teaching period. "We're here to serve and support, not evaluate and judge," the coaches said, stressing relationship-building with teachers as the core of their work.

The coaches outlined additional supports including writing PLCs for grades 3–8, a pre-K–2 writing pilot, and an October 19 session with trainer Vanessa Hayes. They said the district initially planned fewer cycles but expanded to six because of teacher demand; coaches noted the role is designed to be collaborative and aligned with state resources rather than a formal evaluation.