About Chrissy Beltran, Keynote Speaker & Instructional Coach
Chrissy Beltran is an instructional coach and consultant who specializes in empowering instructional coaches to thrive in their roles. With years of experience as a teacher, and later as an instructional coach supporting teachers in their classrooms, Chrissy has developed a passion for helping coaches gain the confidence, knowledge, and strategies they need to make meaningful change on their campuses. Through her keynotes, workshops, blog, online resources, and her podcast Instructional Coaching with Ms. B, she provides actionable guidance that bridges the gap between research and real-world coaching.
Every teacher deserves a coach…and every coach does too!
It won’t come as a surprise to anyone who knows me on any level, but I absolutely love to talk shop. Literacy, instructional strategies, and how to coach teachers are some of my favorite conversation topics (along with the best of books and TV). Educators need a sounding board and processing partner, and honestly, it’s my favorite thing to do. As a teacher and later as a literacy coach, I spent so much time asking myself, “Is this the best way? What am I missing?” Now I get to be the person on the other side of that conversation, responding with encouragement, reflection, and fresh ideas.
It’s important to me to provide educators with honesty and practicality because too many resources and teaching conversations aren’t rooted in reality. In order to support teachers and kids, we have to work through complex emotions and social situations, balance tricky logistics with best practices, and create communities of learners that reach from the administrators to the kids and everyone in-between.
Transitioning from classroom teacher to instructional coach
Before I became a coach, I was an elementary teacher in El Paso, Texas. I loved teaching and creating TEKS- based resources for teachers. I didn’t think I was ready to leave the classroom yet, but I was offered a position as a literacy coach and it just seemed like everything fell into place.
I made the move, and while it was a challenge to leave my own classroom and make my way into others’, it’s one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.
As a literacy coach at a K-5 school, I was part of the turnaround Leadership Team that created systems that supported learning and application, encouraged teachers try new instructional practices, created a culture of learning and growth. PLCs, student intervention, data reviews, coaching cycles, and professional development in the areas of literacy were all part of my job description.
My work as a literacy coach, and later as a general instructional coach, has helped me take my elementary teaching experience and broaden it to support teachers from preK-8th grade. Over time, I began support instructional coaches in identifying their roles, navigating challenging relationships, and working with teachers and PLCs. It’s been well over a decade since I started, and I’m thankful for it every single day.
As a work-from-home-mom, when I’m not talking shop or creating resources, I am spending time with my two beautiful daughters and my husband at our home in El Paso, Texas. I love to read, watch really well-written TV, and play board games! I’m also a crafter, writer, and coffee lover!
Connect with Chrissy Beltran, Instructional Coach
I’d love to hear from you, so feel free to send me an email and let me know how I can support you!