Partner Spotlight: Jess Tolan Klock, TFA Accelerate

America's teacher shortage has shown a spotlight on the importance of developing and retaining great teachers. Cooperative partner Jess Tolan Klock is at the center of that work. Jess is the Director of Early Childhood Education at Teach For America-Kansas City and an instruction coach in their TFA Accelerate program.

Teacher development is a core element of the Cooperative's program quality strategy, so the Cooperative partnered with TFA to provide ongoing coaching and support from Jess to the Lead Teachers in Cooperative pre-K classrooms. Jess' regular visits have become eagerly anticipated by teachers glad to have Jess' classroom insight, thoughtful reflection, and consistent encouragement.

Jess started her career as a Teach For America corps member teaching pre-K at Cooperative partner Operation Breakthrough. After teaching for two years, she moved into a coaching role and then joined Teach For America’s staff. Having been in their shoes just a few years ago, Jess has become a trusted advisor among Cooperative teachers.

With a focus on building trusting relationships, celebrating both big and small victories, and creating space for thoughtful reflection, its no wonder that Jess has been an effective thought partner. Her coaching includes 30-minute classroom observations, followed by a 30- to 60-minute discussion debriefing what she observed. Jess sees her role not as instructor or supervisor, but as “a partner to walk alongside teachers,” helping them draw out key learnings from their reflections, model effective classroom practice, and cheer them on when the going gets tough.

“It often goes unrecognized just how many demands teachers have on them,” said Jess. “We don’t always acknowledge the expertise needed to balance academic, social, emotional, and physical learning goals, all while fostering fun and a love of learning. If we want to keep teachers in the classroom long term, we need to support them, make them feel valued, and encourage their growth as professionals.”

Customizing her support to the needs of her teachers is a hallmark of Jess’ practice.

“Flexibility is the name of the game,” said Jess. “In the same way that you constantly adjust to your students’ needs and interests as a teacher, the needs of my teachers are most important to me.”

In the last school year, Jess found that she had several experienced teachers who were really hitting their stride and another who was in her first months in the classroom. Jess reallocated her time to meet more regularly with the beginning teacher and did some co-teaching to model classroom insruction and behavior management techniques. That approach was a game changer, bringing the concepts in her Early Childhood Education text books to life for the teacher.

“This teacher truly blossomed and she’s fantastic with her students,“ said Jess. “I’m so glad I had the opportunity to help her unleash her teaching talents.”

Also in response to the expressed needs of her teachers, Jess will increase her classroom coaching sessions from once to twice a month this school year. She will also continue her monthly professional development sessions open to all Cooperative teachers.

Her passion for pre-K is inspiring new and veteran teachers alike.

Said Jess, “I just feel so privileged to work in early education.”