CoachFest 2026: Full Schedule

10:30am EST

Wednesday November 4, 2026 10:30am - 11:30am EST

Limited Capacity seats available

If your PLC time feels busy but not always impactful, this session is for you. Learn how to lead and coach within PLCs using intentional systems that strengthen collaboration and data-driven decision-making. Participants will explore agendas, protocols, and coaching moves to support teams in analyzing student data, identifying trends, and planning next steps. You’ll leave with practical tools to make PLC time focused, purposeful, and results-driven.

Speakers

Suzanne Warner

4th and 5th Grade Curriculum Coach, Appalachian State University - Academy at Middle Fork

Suzanne Warner is a 4th/5th Grade Curriculum Coach at the Academy at Middle Fork in North Carolina.She holds a B.S. and B.A. in Elementary Education from Piedmont International University and High Point University (2015), as well as a Master of Education in Teaching and Learning from... Read More →

Wednesday November 4, 2026 10:30am - 11:30am EST
Laboratory

Breakout, Clarity

Audience New Coaches, Experienced Coaches

1:00pm EST

Breaking Silos: Unified Coaching for New Teacher Success

LIMITED

Wednesday November 4, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm EST

Laboratory

Limited Capacity seats available

Break down the silos that limit coaching impact and new teacher success. This session explores how to build unified, cross-department coaching systems by navigating resistance and leading change with courage. Participants will learn practical strategies to align stakeholders, strengthen collaboration, and advocate for effective coaching structures. Attendees will leave with actionable tools and a clear plan to improve teacher support, retention, and instructional outcomes.

Speakers

Diana Demosiuk

Teacher Quality Specialist, Portsmouth Pulbic Schools

Diana Demosiuk has 18 years of experience in education and currently serves as a Teacher Quality Specialist for 12 Title I elementary schools in Portsmouth. Her teaching background includes middle school special education, general education English and history, and Title I elementary... Read More →

Dusti Johnson Brinker

DIrector of Office of School and Teacher Quality, Portsmouth Public Schools

With 36 years in education, Dusti Johnson-Brinker currently serves as Director of School and Teacher Quality in Portsmouth. Their experience includes roles as teacher, assistant principal, principal, English specialist, professional development and school improvement specialist, and... Read More →

Angela Randolph

Teacher Quality Specialist, Portsmouth

Angela Randolph has 18 years of experience in education and currently serves as a Teacher Quality Specialist for eight schools in Portsmouth, including all secondary schools, one elementary, and an alternative school. Her teaching background is in middle school English. She has also... Read More →

Wednesday November 4, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm EST
Laboratory

Breakout, Courage

Audience New Coaches, Experienced Coaches, School or District Leaders

2:30pm EST

Coaching to Enhance Teacher Clarity and Effectiveness

LIMITED

Wednesday November 4, 2026 2:30pm - 3:30pm EST

Laboratory

Limited Capacity seats available

Unlock the 0.75 effect size of Teacher Clarity on student achievement. This interactive session moves beyond theory to share proven frameworks from Kannapolis City Schools for weaving clarity into every coaching stage—from goal setting and co-planning to feedback and PLC data analysis. Through collaborative discussion and reflection, you will audit your current practices and leave with concrete strategies to sharpen clarity and empower teachers in your own district.

Speakers

Brittany Banks

Instructional Coach, Kannapolis City Schools

Brittany Banks currently serves as a K-5 Instructional Coach at North Kannapolis Elementary in Kannapolis, NC, where she specializes in developing instruction using effective practices and coaching to close the gap between research and practice. With 7 years of experience in elementary... Read More →

Jenna Cook

Instructional Coach, Kannapolis City Schools

With 10 years of experience as an elementary Instructional Coach, Jenna Cook knows that the key to student success is a well-supported teacher. Jenna specializes in facilitating PLCs, coaching cycles, and data dives, all with one goal in mind: making the complex work of education... Read More →

Wednesday November 4, 2026 2:30pm - 3:30pm EST
Laboratory

Breakout, Clarity

Audience New Coaches, Experienced Coaches, School or District Leaders

10:30am EST

Other Duties As Assigned: Optimizing the Coaching Role & Coaching Reality

LIMITED

Thursday November 5, 2026 10:30am - 11:30am EST

Laboratory

Limited Capacity seats available

Instructional coaching rarely looks like it does “on paper.” Between coaching cycles, PLCs, and data analysis, coaches are often pulled into coverage, meetings, behavior support and countless “other duties as assigned.” This session explores how to navigate the hidden task trap, prioritize high-impact work, protect coaching time, and make confident decisions about what to take on-or decline. Participants will leave with ready-to-use tools and a practical plan for impactful, sustainable coaching.

Speakers

Amanda Pembroke

Instructional Coach, Rowan Salisbury Schools (China Grove Middle)

Amanda Pembroke grew up in Western North Carolina and is a proud product of public schools. She attended UNCC (‘11) as a NC Teaching Fellow with the dream of one day creating the same sense of community, service, and learning that shaped her own upbringing. While she started her... Read More →

Thursday November 5, 2026 10:30am - 11:30am EST
Laboratory

Breakout, Clarity

Audience New Coaches, Experienced Coaches

1:00pm EST

Coaching That Keeps Teachers: A Retention-Focused Model

LIMITED

Thursday November 5, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm EST

Laboratory

Limited Capacity seats available

What if coaching could actually keep teachers in the classroom?
This session draws from the real-world success of Breakthrough Birmingham's Thrive Teacher Coaching Program to show how coaching can be intentionally designed around teacher retention — not just instructional improvement. Participants will explore practical structures that address burnout, build sustainability, and help early-career teachers find purpose and confidence in the profession.

Speakers

Cathy Clark

Coaching Manager, Breakthrough Birmingam

Cathy Clark is an Alabama native with over 30 years of experience as a teacher and instructional coach in Birmingham City Schools. In 2022, she left the classroom to design and launch Breakthrough Birmingham's Thrive Teacher Coaching Program, growing it from 8 to 25 teachers across... Read More →

Thursday November 5, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm EST
Laboratory

Breakout, Care

Audience New Coaches, Experienced Coaches, School or District Leaders

10:30am EST

1:00pm EST

2:30pm EST

10:30am EST

1:00pm EST

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