ROLE 2: INSTRUCTIONAL SPECIALIST
Learning Alongside Teachers
Joellen Killion often speaks about the teachers who shaped her thinking; not because they had perfect lessons, but because they were reflective, curious, and willing to learn.
That mindset sits at the heart of the Instructional Specialist role, which is one of 10 coaching roles highlighted in Joellen’s book “Taking the Lead.”
In literacy coaching, instructional support works best when it feels collaborative rather than corrective. Joellen emphasizes modeling practice with humility, using evidence to guide reflection, and honoring teachers as professionals who are learning — not problems to be fixed.
Instructional Specialists help educators connect curriculum, assessment, and instruction in meaningful ways. They create space for dialogue and shared learning, recognizing that growth happens through reflection, not compliance.
Action Step:
In your next instructional conversation, model one strategy and follow it with a reflective question.
These are the kinds of instructional learning conversations Joellen will model and unpack with us on February 27, 2026.