Whitley County Schools is raising the bar for educator support by building a true culture of coaching. Guided by a clear vision and a deep commitment to their educators, the district has taken intentional steps to ensure teachers feel supported, valued, and equipped to thrive in the classroom. A cornerstone of this commitment is their investment in new teachers, who are enrolled in SESC’s ElevatED program. Through ElevatED, new teachers benefit from high-quality professional learning and the steady support of an experienced coach—an early investment that not only builds confidence and instructional skill, but also fosters long-term success for teachers and the district as a whole.
To provide teachers with the strongest support, Whitley County has also committed to developing its own coaches. In July, lead teachers, principals, and district leaders took part in our “Foundations of Coaching” Academy, where they learned to build meaningful relationships, lead tight coaching cycles, and align support with teacher growth goals. The academy also equipped them to deepen teacher reflection and drive targeted instructional improvement that directly benefits students.
In addition to training coaches, Whitley County has worked hard to create districtwide guidelines and expectations for its coaching program. These guidelines provide clarity and consistency across schools, ensuring that every teacher—no matter their building—receives coaching support that is intentional, aligned to growth goals, and focused on improving instruction. By setting clear expectations, Whitley has built a strong foundation for sustainability, giving both teachers and coaches the structure they need to succeed together.
Today, Whitley County Schools has at least one trained coach in every school across the district. This ensures that teachers are never alone in their journey—they are supported, encouraged, and empowered by a coach who walks alongside them.
By prioritizing new teachers through ElevatED and strengthening support with coaching, Whitley County Schools is not only meeting the needs of educators today, but also building capacity for long-term growth. ElevatED provides new teachers with high-quality professional learning and individualized coaching, while the district’s trained coaches and teacher leaders serve as change agents, strengthening practice across every school. Together, these efforts reflect Whitley County’s unwavering belief that when teachers are supported, students succeed—and they stand as a powerful example of how investing in educators creates lasting change.
Join us in celebrating Whitley County Schools for their unwavering dedication to teachers and their inspiring commitment to building a culture of coaching that elevates everyone.