Lauren started her career as a high school math teacher, teaching everything from “remedial” ninth grade math to AP Calculus, in North Philadelphia.  In a school with over 40 languages spoken within the student body, she taught math courses of all levels to emergent bilingual students.  As a white, middle-class woman who grew up in the Denver suburbs, she found her greatest teaching successes through living, shopping, and worshiping in the community in which she taught.  Several of her former students are now close family friends or neighbors.  She deeply believes that strong, authentic relationships are central to effective classrooms and schools.

After teaching for nine years and leading the math department for three, Lauren shifted into instructional coaching in the same school where she had taught.  There, she coached teachers across a wide range of contents: from art to special education, and from science to physical education. While a logical next step, she has since declined a number of offers to move into the principalship because she found the impact of coaching on instruction to be so powerful when done well.  

When her first daughter was born, she looked for opportunities to step out of her full-time, in-building role and shifted to coaching teachers virtually in 2013.  Working with a company that specializes in virtual instructional coaching, she served as a founding instructional coach supporting teachers across the country in all grade level and subject areas.  After success with supporting teachers in increasing their students engagement, Lauren designed the coaching structure and coach training for the entire company.  She began coaching other coaches in 2015 and then shifted into the role of Director of Instructional Coaching in 2017, where she coached and managed a team of 50+ virtual instructional coaches from all across the country.  Based on the richness of her experience working virtually while caring for her two daughters, Lauren believes in expanding flexible and virtual work opportunities for full-time parents and caregivers. 

With her collaborator Rashaida Melvin, Lauren published the EdConnective Thrive Framework in 2020 which worked to infuse equity-centered practices such as relationship building, student voice, representation, reflection on bias, critical consciousness, and social justice education into one actionable instructional framework.  The Thrive Framework is now used by thousands of teachers and coaches across the country every year. 

Lauren received her undergraduate degree in Urban Studies and Fine Arts, as well as her teaching certificate, from the University of Pennsylvania.  She also holds a Masters in Educational Leadership from Edinboro University. 

Lauren has advised schools and districts across the country around their coaching programs.  She has coached hundreds of coaches and school leaders on their coaching of teachers. She has provided numerous workshops, presentations, and keynotes on instructional coaching as a means to disrupt the status quo of schools and build more equitable, just schools for all kids. Her work has been published in Educational Leadership and Education Week.

In addition to her work as an educator, Lauren is a painter. She found the rhythm of school breaks great for creating artwork. In addition to her certification in math, he is a certified K-12 art educator. You can find more about her artistic side here.

Four Myths on Coaching and Efficacy, co-authored with Rashaida Melvin, Educational Leadership, Nov 2021

EdConnective Thrive Framework, co-authored with Rashaida Melvin, July 2020

Complaining About Students is Toxic. Here are 4 Ways to Stop, Education Week, Jun 2019

Five Steps to Powerful Virtual Coaching for Teachers, EdWeek Market Brief, Mar 2016

Lauren currently provides consulting to schools and districts on equity-centered instructional coaching and teacher effectiveness. She facilitates PLCs for leaders and coaches, provides 1:1 coaching for leaders and coaches, designs instructional coaching and teacher evaluation systems, and provides training on instructional coaching that disrupts the status quo.

In one current partnership, Lauren designed the teacher coaching and evaluation structure for a P-12 school network. In order to support the implementation of the coaching system, she coaches the school leaders in regular 1:1 and small group coaching sessions throughout the school year. She observes the school leaders in their coaching and PD sessions, and provides specific and actionable feedback along with accountability and support.

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