Teaching isn’t always just about what happens in individual classrooms—the overall goal is to engage in a districtwide commitment to continuous growth and improvement. That’s what we do at Herrin. And at the heart of that commitment is an instructional coaching program that plays a vital role in ensuring teachers have the support, tools, and inspiration they need to succeed. Leading this charge are Tara Brandon, Joshua Lemons, Kelly Childers who, along with their fellow coaches, have taken on the challenge of elevating the district’s teaching standards, one classroom at a time.

The story of Herrin’s instructional coaching team began with a wake-up call. As Tara Brandon recalls, "Our scores came back from the IAR (Illinois Assessment of Readiness) assessments, and they weren’t where we wanted them to be." The district could have brought in an outside agency to help, but instead, they decided to invest in their own educators. "We said, ‘Let us have a shot at this,’" Tara explains. The result? Her school went from underperforming to exemplary in just one year—a testament to the power of classroom teacher determination and dedication along with data-driven interventions and support.

For Joshua Lemons, a math and science expert at the junior high level, one of the most critical tasks of an instructional coach is helping teachers see the big picture. "We look at the curriculum from a K-12 perspective," Joshua explains. "A lot of times, teachers are focused on their own classrooms— understandably—but we’re here to make sure everything flows from one grade to the next." Whether it’s introducing new math series, rolling out science curricula, or ensuring consistency across the district, the instructional coaching corps plays a crucial role in aligning the teaching experience.

One of the unique strengths of this internal approach is their ability to bring new ideas from one classroom to another. An outside agency would not have the agility to do that. "We can step in, see something working in one room, and share it with other teachers," Joshua adds. "It’s about taking the best practices and spreading them across the district."

Tara Brandon, who divides her time between being a reading specialist and an instructional coach, sees her role as one of mentorship. "I work closely with new teachers," Tara says. "Sometimes, they just need someone to teach alongside them, guide them through the process, and show them how it’s done." And that’s not just a figure of speech—Tara and her fellow coaches are often right there in the classrooms, providing real-time support. "It’s about collaboration, not just top-down instruction," she explains. "We’re in this together."

What sets Herrin’s coaching team apart is the sense of camaraderie and teamwork that exists among the coaches themselves. "We share a lot of responsibilities," Tara says. "We’re constantly in touch with each other, helping where we’re needed most. If someone’s having trouble with curriculum rollouts, we all pitch in." Joshua agrees, noting that while the team members have their own areas of expertise, they aren’t limited by those boundaries. "I might specialize in STEM, but I’ve spent plenty of time in other areas, helping out wherever I’m needed."

One of the most rewarding aspects of the job, according to Kelly, is watching teachers grow and improve year after year. "Every year, we see teachers getting stronger in what they do," she says. "They’re becoming more confident in their abilities, and the support we are providing has a hand in that."

And the support isn’t limited to academics. "We help with behavior management, testing, and anything else teachers might need," Tara adds. "It’s not just about lesson plans—it’s about making sure every aspect of the classroom runs smoothly."

The coaching corps doesn’t just focus on the here and now. Their efforts are building a better future for Herrin’s students by ensuring that teachers are equipped to meet the challenges of a rapidly changing educational landscape. Joshua has been instrumental in pushing forward STEM initiatives, helping students start on a strong footing with technology as early as kindergarten. "We’re seeing the fruits of our labor now," he says. "Some of the kids who started with our STEM programs in elementary school are now in junior high, and they’re more advanced than we ever imagined."

To best serve the students and the families of the district, the investment in this coaching team has been a smart one. It’s a proactive approach to education that ensures the district doesn’t just hope for better results—they work for them. "This is about continuous improvement," Tara explains. "We don’t want to be the same district next year that we were last year. We want to keep pushing forward, growing, and getting better."

It’s a smart plan, and one that mirrors best practices in some of the world’s most successful companies and organizations. And, Joshua Lemons, Kelly Childers, and Tara Brandon along with the rest of the Herrin 4 coaching team—Janae McGee, Sierra Anderson, Steve Priest, and Dan Johnson—are leading the charge ensuring that Herrin’s teachers—and their students—are in great hands. The community can be very proud to have such a dedicated team working to make their schools the best they can be.