Instructional Coach Passes on Teaching Wisdom

Colinas del Norte Elementary staff member Christine Kokaly-Evans has worked in Rio Rancho since the schools were part of the Albuquerque Public Schools district.

Kokaly-Evans started at a teacher at Ernest Stapleton Elementary, which was built by APS. She moved to Colinas shortly after and has been there for 14 years. She is now an instructional coach there.

Instructional coaches are experienced teachers who work with other teachers to pass on techniques they can use in the classroom.

CHRISTINE KOKALY-EVANS

SUBJECT/GRADE TAUGHT: Current position is instructional coach at Colinas del Norte Elementary School. I taught first grade for several years and have also been a reading recovery teacher, literacy group teacher and Title 1 teacher before becoming the instructional coach at Colinas.

YEARS AS AN EDUCATOR: 15 years. My first year was at Ernest Stapleton Elementary when it was still part of Albuquerque Public Schools. The next year, Rio Rancho became its own district and opened Colinas del Norte Elementary, which is my home away from home and where I have remained for the past 14 years.

PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND: Bachelor’s in education from the University of New Mexico. I am currently enrolled in the master’s program at UNM. I am also a reading recovery trained teacher.

AWARDS, CERTIFICATES AND HONORS:

I have a reading recovery training certificate and was part of the first group of Rio Rancho teachers that became trained in reading recovery in the state of New Mexico. I was also part of the committee from Colinas del Norte that applied for and received the Exemplary Reading Program Award for the state of New Mexico from the International Reading Association. I have also received my instructional coaching certificates from the University of Arkansas in Little Rock for the past two years.

HOBBIES AND INTERESTS: I like to spend my free time cooking, golfing and love to watch sports!

MY MOST MEMORABLE DAY AS AN EDUCATOR AND WHY: After all these years, I can’t narrow down to just one memorable day. Every day I work with students are opportunities for memorable moments. After 15 years, I can still get tears in my eyes as I work with students striving to make a difference in their lives.

FAVORITE TEACHER AND WHY: I have two favorite teachers. Ruth Dickson and Char Medrano. Both were English teachers at Cibola High School. Ms. Dickson nurtured that love of reading and use of authentic learning opportunities in her class that made it fun to learn. Mrs. Medrano appreciated my sense of humor and voice in my writing and taught me how to write for an audience. I probably would not have the position I have now or the enthusiasm I have for literacy without their influence.

FAVORITE HISTORICAL FIGURE AND WHY: "The Great Emancipator," Abraham Lincoln, for opposing and ending slavery while recognizing the importance of keeping the country united in order to remain strong.

If you’d like to see someone you know profiled in "Meet Your Teacher," contact Journal staff writer Elaine Briseo by e-mail at ebriseno@abqjournal.com.

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