Farmington Public Schools, Michigan

Kelly Coffin

Student Strengths Champion

Building Leadership around Strengths

I have had the distinct pleasure and opportunity to work with exceptional educators across the state of Michigan. In my early years as a young teacher, I realized the power of collaboration and teamwork, where educators were placed at the center of the work with students.

My first role as an educator was working with adjudicated youth who were one step away from being incarcerated. This experience taught me early on that anyone can focus on faults or mistakes, but these students needed someone to recognize and develop their strengths and talents. This is the core experience that has shaped my leadership approach throughout my career.

Leading from the Strengths of Every Learner

Instructional leadership, if left undefined, can become more of a slogan than an actual action. When I think about the most effective instructional leaders I have worked with and continue to work with, I see a dedicated professional who believes that every child is capable of learning at high levels. Every child brings their gifts and talents to us every day, and it is our job as educators to tap into those talents.

As a district leader, it is important that our building leaders are learning about instructional resources, strategies, and system shifts ahead of our classroom educators. This allows the leaders time to grapple with the new materials, system shifts, and expectations prior to having to lead their staff through these initiatives. This builds confidence in our leaders and creates a true team to support our learning community.

Keeping Students at the Center of Improvement

Our instructional focus continues to be on three areas: positioning, authenticity, and noticing. This is at the heart of all of our professional development. Every person who serves our students is aware that the district prioritizes these three areas.

Positioning means ensuring students remain at the center of the learning experience, while authenticity focuses on making learning meaningful and relevant to students. Noticing means ensuring every student feels seen, heard, valued, and knows they belong.

" We need authentic leaders who bring their gifts, talents, and genius to school and district leadership. "

Together, these priorities create learning environments where students actively participate in their education, see meaningful connections in what they are learning and know that the adults around them recognize and value who they are. When students feel engaged, connected and supported in this way, they are better positioned to grow academically, build confidence, and experience success throughout their educational journey.

Bringing Families into the Change Process

I believe that all school leaders need to be laser-focused on communication with all school community members as we work to create a system that reflects the needs of the next generation. Our families know ‘school’ in the traditional sense. One thing we continue to work through is ensuring that our parents understand not only the ‘why’ behind the educational shifts we are making, but the ‘what’ and the ‘how.’

We know that every parent wants the best for their child, and their feedback in any change process is invaluable. I am fortunate to work in an incredibly supportive district, and I never want to take that for granted. Our families want to and deserve to be an integral part of their child’s educational journey from preschool to postsecondary.

Advice for Emerging Educators

My advice is to recognize your incredible strengths and talents, and learn how to use those skills to be the best leader you can be. You do not need to be like someone else, or see yourself as ‘less than’ because you have a different leadership style, different career pathway, different lived experience.

We need authentic leaders who bring their gifts, talents and genius to school and district leadership. That is when our system will truly flourish for each and every member of our school communities.