I have always been a reader and a learner which has been very helpful since I stepped into the role as an Instructional Coach, four years ago. At the beginning of my fourth year, I began to feel like I needed to grow professionally and even though there was some district support and a lot of school level support–it wasn’t enough and I felt stuck. I realized that what I needed was a coach. What better way to model and lead than to practice the very thing you work hard for others to embrace? That’s when I began to work with Kathy, which has been an amazing experience. When I think of our virtual coaching sessions, I am amazed that I have never met her, in person, or that I have only known her for such a short time because it feels as if I have known her for years. Each session, is productive and Kathy provides such a precise attentiveness to me and the focus. (I think I actually started wearing two hats–the coached and a student because after each of the sessions, I would think about what I observed her doing or not doing and reflect on my own practice as a coach.) The professional-personal like relationship, her willingness to provide and be a resource is been something that I cannot imagine not having and look forward to. As coaches we spend a lot of time building relationships and giving that safe place–and as rewarding as it is, I think that any coach can identify that there is a degree of isolation and loneliness within the position–as we are often singletons within our building. My virtual coaching with Kathy has become my own safe place, to think through, plan, and grow so that I can better help support my teachers, administrators and most importantly my students.