Instructional Coach

Instructional CoachAlisha Freeman

Instructional Coach

I am honored to be the Literacy Coach at Jose Angel Cardenas Early Childhood Head Start Center.  This year is my 20th year in the education field and my 6th year at Jose Cardenas. I graduated with a Bachelors degree from Western Kentucky University in Elementary Education EC-6.  I then went on to get my Masters Degree from Western Kentucky University in Special Education, EC-12.  I come to Cardenas ECC with years of experience as a special education teacher, Early Childhood Specialist, and Assistant Principal.


I believe that all students are learners.  I am looking forward to see how your child grows and learns this school year!

The Role of Literacy Coach

As the Literacy Coach, I am responsible for:

  • Monitoring effective implementation of Head Start Standards and content areas.
  • Serve as the Campus Data Leader
  • Maintain CLASS-reliable certification including training and completion of the annual certification examination.
  • Perform CLASS observations at other campuses/districts in accordance with grant requirements
  • Analyze CLASS observation results and implement appropriate programmatic improvements specific to CLASS expectations
  • Oversee the implementation of the District Literacy Plan
  • Participate and/or present at District/Campus specified professional learning activities
  • Demonstrate knowledge and model effective classroom instructional practices in such a manner that other teachers can emulate including but not limited to techniques for classroom management, District instructional initiatives, integrated application of technology, and research-based practices
  • Utilize technology to make presentations, present data, and provide classroom instruction
  • Provide expertise in district data warehouse systems
  • Coordinate efforts to maintain the required data in the Child Plus system
  • Be knowledgeable of special program guidelines to be able to recognize and support the needs of special program (Bilingual/ESL/ GT/Special Education) teachers and students
  • Observe individual teachers and provide instructional guidance as needed through a coaching model
  • Provide support for Teachers in Need of Assistance
  • Arrange for District specialists to assist with classroom modeling and other support as needed
  • Support in the administration of all program and District assessments
  • Prepare assessment reports and disaggregate data to be used to plan instruction and to meet Head Start Outcome reporting requirements
  • Participate in weekly lesson planning with teachers
  • Collect and distribute curriculum documents to teachers in a timely manner as well as verify that all teachers have needed curriculum documents that are complete and current
  • Consult with the principal and other staff members on instructional matters
  • Conduct periodic meetings for the instructional staff as needed or as called for by the principal
  • Design, conduct, and facilitate in-service sessions at the district/campus level (Head Start- to include a minimum of two National Council on Quality Teaching and Learning programs per year)
  • Oversee implementation of academic Response to Intervention services
  • Coordinate with other staff members on non-academic Response to Intervention services
  • Coordinate with special programs staff to provide appropriate services to all students