Last month, I outlined our strategic priorities and goals that support our new vision and mission. A key factor in achieving these priorities and goals is the vital role played by our Instructional Coaches. We have three instructional coaches who coordinate the Early Childhood Teaching and Education programs at our Children’s Centers. They provide technical support and services including coaching, training, mentoring, quality assurance, and teamwork.

Research has shown that mentoring and coaching are powerful tools for supporting our teachers, no matter where they are in their careers. Our Instructional Coaches are not only experts in teaching but also creative problem-solvers, keen observers, and flexible partners in education. They work closely with our teachers to improve their skills in interacting with children and families, sharing the best practices in early childhood education, and providing ongoing feedback and guidance.

Supporting our teachers with high-quality professional development is key to ensuring that our children receive the best possible care and education. Our Instructional Coaches are committed to helping our staff stay up to date with the latest research and professional guidelines, so they can provide the highest quality experiences for your children.

Let me introduce you to our amazing Instructional Coaches:

Krista Van De Flier has worked at the Becky Gates Children’s Center since 2012 and became the Instructional Coach in 2021 after serving as a Pre-K teacher and Team Lead and then Administrative Coordinator. Krista has an extensive background in early childhood including 11 years working at a NAEYC Department of Defense Child Development Program in both classrooms and administration. Krista works primarily with the full-time teaching staff at BGCC.

Kim Hodge began working at the Charlotte Sharp Children’s Center in February. She also has a wealth of experience, serving as director/owner of a local Montessori school for several years in addition to being an Operations Manager and Specialist at CSISD Head Start, Texas Rising Star Assessor and Mentor, and more recently the Early Childhood Coordinator at AgriLife. Kim works primarily with the full-time teaching staff at CSCC.

Glenn Williams joined our team in April. He previously taught at a NAEYC-accredited early learning program and then served as the BVCAA Head Start Education Coordinator, Curriculum Coordinator, and Mental Health Coordinator. Glenn has spent time as a TAMU and Blinn faculty member. He is housed at both BGCC and CSCC and works primarily with part-time student employees.

We know our Instructional Coaches foster positive change among our teaching staff and students, which ultimately benefits our children and their families.