CoachFest 2026: Full Schedule

10:30am EST

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

Limited Capacity seats available

Looking for ways to engage in deeper listening in your work? Join us in this collaborative, dialogic session to learn how protocols work as tools for listening, thus enhancing cycles of instructional improvement and support. Participants will experience two protocols, explore protocol repositories, and leave with plans to implement one or more protocols in their future work.

Speakers

Ike Smith

Beginning Teacher Instructional Coach, NC New Teacher Support Program, Appalachian State University

Ike Smith is an Instructional Coach who engages teachers in reflection and growth through intentional questioning and collaboration. Ike believes public education is fundamental to an equitable, democratic society and that supporting beginning teachers is fundamental to preserving... Read More →

Dr. Caroline Beam

Beginning Teacher Instructional Coach & Interim Regional Director, Appalachian State University, New Teacher Support

Caroline Scott Armstrong Beam is a North Carolina New Teacher Support Coach with Appalachian State University who partners with teachers to explore their own professional goals by foregrounding assets and exploring goodness. Caroline believes that teachers who are new to this career... Read More →

Wednesday November 4, 2026 10:30am - 11:30am EST
Robertson Room 2

Breakout, Clarity

Audience New Coaches, Experienced Coaches, School or District Leaders

1:00pm EST

Coaching the Coach: Designing Systems That Strengthen Instructional Coaching

LIMITED

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

Robertson Room 2

Limited Capacity seats available

Instructional coaches play a critical role in improving teaching and learning—but who supports their growth? In this session, explore how intentional systems can strengthen instructional coaching through clear roles, targeted professional learning, and ongoing support. Participants will gain practical strategies, tools, and a framework to build or refine coaching systems that develop coaches, enhance practice, and sustain a culture of continuous growth.

Speakers

Sarah Combs

Coaching Support Specialist, Henrico County Public Schools

Sarah Combs is a Coaching Support Specialist for Henrico County Public Schools, where she leads the development and implementation of a division-wide instructional coaching model. With 19 years of experience as a secondary English teacher, literacy coach, and leader, she is passionate... Read More →

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

Breakout, Clarity

Audience School or District Leaders

2:30pm EST

Prioritizing Feedback that Drives Reflection through Data and Mediative Questions

LIMITED

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

Robertson Room 2

Limited Capacity seats available

Is your feedback inspiring the kind of reflection that truly impacts and grows self-directed professionals? Join this session to polish your craft of generating and delivering feedback that sets the tone for successful coaching!

Speakers

Elisabeth Smith

Instructional Facilitator/Literacy Coach, Wake County

Elisabeth Smith is a lifelong learner, self-proclaimed nerd, and a lover of podcasts! With diverse experience in education since 2006, she has taught in all grade bands (including middle school!) and found her "home" in early literacy.

Her professional focus is on strengthening core/Tier 1 instructional practices as the foundational layer of the MTSS framework, driving total school improvement. She has coached at the district and school levels and is deeply committed to developing coaching tools for both herself... Read More →

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

Breakout, Courage

Audience New Coaches, Experienced Coaches, School or District Leaders

10:30am EST

Coaching Across the Triangle: Aligning Principals, Coaches, and Teachers for Real Impact

LIMITED

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

Robertson Room 2

Limited Capacity seats available

Instructional improvement requires alignment across leaders, coaches, and teachers. In this interactive session, participants will explore the Coaching Triangle framework to clarify roles, strengthen collaboration, and build coherent coaching systems. Learn strategies for courageous conversations and aligned feedback, and leave with practical tools to improve instruction and support a focused, supportive school environment.

Speakers

Stephanie Gibb

Instructional Coach, Warren County Public Schools

Stephanie Gibb is an instructional coach and experienced elementary educator with over 12 years of teaching in grades 3–5. She serves at E. Wilson Morrison Elementary School, where she leads professional development, supports coaching cycles, and collaborates with teachers and administrators... Read More →

Thursday November 5, 2026 10:30am - 11:30am EST
Robertson Room 2

Breakout, Clarity

Audience New Coaches, Experienced Coaches, School or District Leaders

1:00pm EST

When More Coaching Creates Less Change: Why Clarity, Not More Input, Drives Action

LIMITED

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

Robertson Room 2

Limited Capacity seats available

Coaching conversations are designed to support growth, yet they can unintentionally stall change when feedback becomes overloaded, unfocused, or difficult to act on. In this interactive session, participants will learn how to spot common coaching pitfalls, reduce overload, and strengthen conversations through greater clarity and actionable next steps that lead to meaningful change.

Speakers

Heather Bowden

Office of School Improvement: Advanced Teacher Roles Program Manager, Guilford County Schools

Heather has worked in the field of education for 23 years, serving in diverse roles that have shaped her perspective on leadership, learning, and change. Her passions have led her to partner with school leaders to untangle complexity through coaching, thoughtful leadership, and reflection... Read More →

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

Breakout, Clarity

Audience New Coaches, Experienced Coaches, School or District Leaders

CoachFest 2026

10:30am EST

Ike Smith

Dr. Caroline Beam

1:00pm EST

Sarah Combs

2:30pm EST

Elisabeth Smith

10:30am EST

Stephanie Gibb

1:00pm EST

Heather Bowden

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