Jim Knight, Founder and Senior Partner of Instructional Coaching Group (ICG), is also a research associate at the University of Kansas Center for Research on Learning. He has spent more than two decades studying professional learning and instructional coaching.
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The Instructional Coaching Group’s team of consultants work to help educators develop the skills and tools they need to make an unmistakably positive impact in student’s lives. Led by Jim Knight and backed by over twenty years of research, our consultants have experience working with over 100,000 coaches from all around the world.
Michelle Harris, Senior Consultant at ICG, began teaching in El Cajon, California. She taught middle school English and social studies before serving as an instructional coach, Title I coordinator, student manager, and assistant principal at three middle schools, a K-8 school, and a 6-12 IBO school, all in Beaverton, Oregon. A seasoned staff developer, Michelle has presented and keynoted all over the United States and in Europe and Africa. She lives in Portland, Oregon, with her husband and two sons. When not working, she enjoys reading, traveling, attending her sons’ numerous sporting events, entertaining friends and family, and sitting in a chair on a sunny beach. Michelle is co-author of Evaluating Instructional Coaching and The Instructional Playbook.
Amy Musante is an educator and instructional coach, and at the heart of her work is a belief in learning with others, building relationships and helping diversified school communities move into action that authentically suits their unique needs. She spent 18 years in Oregon as a High School English Language Arts teacher, Instructional Coach, and Secondary Schools Intervention Specialist. She received her MA from Teachers College, Columbia University with a focus on Secondary literacy. Amy supports districts and leaders nationally and internationally in her work with ICG intentionally focusing on developing long term partnerships to impact outcomes for all students in all classrooms. Amy serves on a Board with the State University of New York (SUNY) system focusing on impacting the student experience at the high school and college level. In her free time, she loves reading, spending time in nature, seeing friends and family, and cheering on Buffalo sports teams!
Mary began her teaching career in Texas where she taught fourth grade, third grade, and served as a school librarian before becoming a campus administrator. With more than 19 years of experience in administration as an assistant principal, principal, and Managing Director of Elementary Instruction, Mary successfully built her large suburban's district elementary instructional coaching program into a cohesive and robust support program for teachers and students in partnership with the Instructional Coaching Group. Mary received her doctoral degree in Education Leadership from the University of North Texas where her focus was identifying the systems and supports a district can put into place to support the Principal and Instructional Coach. She lives in Dallas, Texas with her husband Scott, and two sons Kieran and Thomas.
Jessica began her educational career in Gwinnett County, Georgia, as an elementary school teacher. After seven years of teaching fourth grade, she transitioned into the role of an intervention teacher and instructional coach, where she found her true passion in education. Becoming a school-based instructional coach opened new possibilities for how to support education. After serving her school for two years as a coach, she joined the Curriculum & Instruction department where she served as a Literacy Instructional Specialist, and then a Leadership & Staff Development Instructional Coach. Jessica’s true passion exists in the learning spaces where adults can explore instructional coaching and facilitation that prioritizes people and energizes educators.
Jessica received her doctoral degree in School Improvement from the University of West Georgia where her focus was facilitation of adult learning. When not working, Jessica enjoys hiking, movie night with her family, and working on DIY projects around the house.
Kamina began her career in North Carolina as a High School Teacher and Varsity Cheerleading Coach. She has also served as an Instructional Coach, Beginning Teacher Mentor, Digital Instructional Facilitator, District Career Development Coordinator,
School Administrator and District Academic Coach. The heart of her work at ICG surrounds building relationships and increasing student achievement through improving instruction.
Kamina received her Doctoral Degree in Educational Leadership from Gardner-Webb University where her focus was on evaluating the effectiveness of the Career and Technical Education curriculum to student outcomes. Kamina loves making meaningful connections with people and has a keen desire to help others maximize their potential and productivity. When not working, she can be found creating delicious vegetarian meals, reading/writing, volunteering, attending church, or spending quality time with family and friends.
“This was an impactful learning experience. I was able to reflect on my own communication skills and really think about ways to improve my interaction with others.”