Blog

Meet Wendy Kelly

Wendy Kelly is an Out Teach instructional coach whose passion for empowering teachers with the ability to create meaningful learning experiences for students using the outdoors is as vibrant as she is.

My morning routine:

My days start with mindfulness and freshly brewed coffee—a small, loving gesture from my husband Michael that sets a warm tone for the day ahead. It's in the quiet morning moments, in my egg chair and in the company of my dog, that I center myself.

Why coaching:

My first-grade teacher called me a social butterfly. I talked too much, was always out of my seat and wanted to put my hands on everything! It’s why I became an educator. I never learned the same way as my peers, so school was frustrating. I enjoyed learning environments that were dynamic.

What does a coaching day look like:

I adhere to school hours, aligning my day with the start and end times of the teachers' schedules. Each coaching session begins with a thorough review of my agenda and priorities, which can vary depending on the week's focus. For professional development sessions, my efforts are directed towards achieving the campus goals outlined in the campus improvement plan. This approach is evident in our virtual planning sessions, where we concentrate on specific standards, rigorous questioning, or student-led instruction.

I like to analyze data to identify areas of success and areas for improvement, which I refer to as "pros and grows." Simple strategies such as extending wait times or accessing prior knowledge before a lesson really improve academic success.

The coach's playbook:

I believe preparation is the key to meaningful coaching sessions with my teachers. To support this, I have developed a comprehensive coaching playbook that teachers can readily access. This playbook includes guidance on managing expectations, nature journaling, and content planning. I also created a list of inquiry question stems designed to help teachers transition from assessing student understanding to stimulating deeper thinking and learning.

Empowering teachers and witnessing transformation:

I always go back to my coaching with Ms. Rentowski, a 4th grade teacher at Henry B Gonzalez elementary school in Dallas, Texas. She struggled with shifting the cognitive load and letting students direct their own learning. During our sessions, I shared strategies and resources to help her implement approaches that allowed her students to argue from evidence and communicate like scientists. The level of engagement among her students soared, and they became more confident and independent learners. It was enough to completely change the way she taught science. Moments like those remind me of the incredible impact we can have as coaches. It's a privilege to be a part of a teacher’s journey and evolution.

How I refuel:

I seek solace in the tranquility of my garden or sailing on the nearby lake. I feel most free on the water. The peace and reflection I find in those moments rejuvenate me so I’m ready to dive back into work every day and week.

Explore a day in the life of Michael Smith: Out Teach’s Director of Landscape Architecture and Outdoor Classrooms.