Empowering Educators: New Leadership Program Supports Instructional Coaching in RI Schools
Rhode Island Education Collective is proud to launch its inaugural Instructional Leadership Community of Practice, a dynamic year-long program designed to empower educational leaders with skills and strategies to effectively coach teachers in their schools. Instructional leadership is a proven critical component of a thriving school culture that directly supports high-quality teaching, student learning outcomes, and school development. With participants from both district and charter schools across the state, this program will equip educators to drive meaningful instructional change, advancing the Collective’s mission to ensure that every Rhode Island child has access to a great public school.
“We are thrilled to offer this professional development opportunity for instructional leaders who are deeply committed to elevating their practice,” said Victor Capellan, founder and CEO of the Collective. "Their willingness to invest time beyond the school day to participate underscores their passion for excellence in education. We also extend our appreciation to the district and charter leaders who are supporting their team members’ participation.”
The inaugural cohort includes 13 public school educators representing Central Falls, Johnston, Providence, and one school with a statewide catchment. Participants—who serve in roles including teacher, instructional coach, MLL (multilingual learners) director, special education leader, principal, assistant principal, and curriculum coordinator—will engage in a research-based approach to instructional leadership and coaching, applying their learning in real-time within their schools. Through research, practice, and collaborative learning, they will develop skills to guide fellow educators and elevate teaching practices.
“School leaders have far too long been building managers, spending their day addressing everything except the critical work our teachers do every day,” said Johnston Public Schools’ Superintendent Dr. Bernard DiLullo. “We have to allow our principals and other school leaders to be able to do the main work of school and that is to ensure that instruction is high quality and successfully meets the needs of all students. A collaborative approach to supporting these school leaders will allow them to learn from each other and to further develop their skill as critical thinkers in the practice of instructional leadership.”
The Instructional Leadership Community of Practice, facilitated by Michael T. O’Connor, Ph.D., of Boston College’s Lynch School of Education & Human Development, begins in March 2025 with eight in-person sessions focused on building foundational knowledge in topics such as coaching models, best practices, and the use of data to assess impact. A half-day summer institute will follow, where participants will design school-based instructional improvement cycles and refine their strategies through peer feedback and direct coaching.
“Exceptional educators have a unique opportunity to excel in coaching roles, and with the right support and development, they can truly thrive in these new responsibilities,” said Chief Innovation Officer Joshua Laplante of the Collective, who created and is leading the vision for this collaborative cross-sector community of practice. “Our program is designed to unlock that potential, providing instructional leaders with the resources, training, and real-time feedback they need to confidently lead and make a lasting impact.”
Throughout the 2025-26 school year, participants will meet to assess progress, adjust their plans, and deepen their leadership skills. Additionally, each participating school will receive four individualized school-based coaching visits from experienced instructional leaders, providing real-time support and feedback. The program will culminate in April 2026, when participants will showcase their learning, growth, and the measurable impact of their leadership on their schools and communities further strengthening the collective expertise of the group.
