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Coach Information
Stewart Bellina
Instructional Coach
Dr. Michelle Bigler
Instructional Coach
Kassidy Hetzel
Instructional Coach
Julie Hohman
Instructional Coach
Dr. Brian Keefer
Instructional Coach
Dr. Shawna Ortogero
Instructional Coach
Lydia Polanco
Instructional Coach
Vivian Rodriguez
Instructional Coach
Dr. William Bryant Shaw
Instructional Coach
Jason Taylor
Instructional Coach
Todd Weisbrot
Instructional Coach
Educational Leadership and coaching have been a strong focus for Mr. Taylor for many years and his school has welcomed in numerous administrators and teachers from across the state to observe and learn the systems and structures that have led Platte Valley Middle School to become one of the outstanding middle schools in Colorado.
In addition to his ventures in school leadership and consulting, Mr. Taylor also serves on the selection committee and steering board for the prestigious “Reisher Foundation Scholarship” as well as the “State Advisory Council for Parental Involvement in Education” (SACPIE) and the Boards of Directors for the “Colorado Association of Middle Level Educators (CAMLE)” and the “Colorado Association of Secondary School Principals (CASSP).” Mr. Taylor is an accomplished public speaker whose professional presentations and motivational addresses have been well received in many venues.
Outside of education, Mr. Taylor is a husband and father of three beautiful girls who are the center of his life. In his free time he enjoys spending time with his family, running, cooking, and anything that involves the great outdoors (hunting, fishing, camping, etc).
Her passion lies in supporting teachers as they implement inclusive, blended learning strategies that prioritize differentiation and personalized learning. By combining research-based practices with real-world application, she empowers educators to improve engagement and outcomes for all students.
Kassidy is proud to be part of the TeachUNITED team and is excited to collaborate with educators and students nationwide to drive meaningful, sustainable change in education.
At the heart of Bryant’s work is a mission to inspire and empower his learning community. He focuses on improving student outcomes, fostering inclusive school environments, and building a trajectory of success for all learners.
Before leading at Casey, Bryant held administrative roles in both Aurora Public Schools and Boulder Valley School District, where he gained extensive
experience in strategic planning, school improvement, and instructional leadership.
A sought-after speaker and thought partner, Bryant has been featured on educational podcasts and has presented at industry events including the City of Thornton’s Chamber of Commerce and the Colorado Association of School Executives (CASE).
Bryant holds a Bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education from Mississippi College, a Master’s in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from the University of Texas at Arlington, and a Doctorate in Organizational Leadership from the University of Dayton.
Driven by a commitment to equity and continuous growth, Michelle earned her doctorate in Education, Equity, and Transformation while mentoring and teaching aspiring educators. Her areas of expertise include coaching educators, leveraging educational technology to enrich learning, designing engaging curricula, facilitating job-embedded professional development, and conducting impactful educational research.
Michelle is thrilled to join the TeachUNITED team and actively contribute to positively shaping educational systems.
In recent years, Julie has facilitated professional development for educators and support staff on a wide range of topics, including Effective Communication, Engaging English Language Learners, Data Driven Instruction, Supporting the Whole Child through Behavioral Health Strategies and Student Centered Learning. Her work in these areas naturally evolved into instructional coaching, particularly for educators working in online environments. Through targeted coaching cycles, she has guided teachers in using data to strengthen instruction, increase student achievement, and boost engagement.
Julie empowers adults to grow professionally by blending insightful coaching with a healthy dose of humor to create a positive and productive learning environment.She believes laughter is a vital part of learning and brings energy, empathy, and enthusiasm to every interaction. Julie is thrilled to bring her expertise and passion for education to the TeachUNITED team.
Shawna Ortogero, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Special Education at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. Shawna’s research interests include teacher preparation and development. She has experience with teaching diverse learners, including students with mild to moderate and severe disabilities. Additionally, Shawna has served as an English Learner Tutor, Professional Development Specialist, Educational Consultant, District Resource Special Education Teacher, Assistant Principal, and Special Education District Educational Specialist. Shawna has also dedicated her expertise to mentoring and coaching teachers at various schools across Hawaiʻi.
Vivian Rodríguez is an instructional coach at TeachUNITED. She is a trusted education leader who helps teachers refine their practice and fosters equitable, student-centered learning environments.
With more than 15 years of secondary education experience, Vivian has worked on several valuable projects, including leading STEM-aligned curriculum development at EDforTech and strategic programming as Managing Director at TODOS: Mathematics for All.
Before joining TeachUNITED, Vivian launched her career at various schools in Houston, where she was responsible for teaching high school math, mentoring early-career teachers, and developing interactive, standards-based lessons. Her expertise and commitment to equity-focused education have allowed her to be recognized as a leader in professional learning design and teacher development.
Vivian graduated with a B.S. in Mathematics with a Specialty in Secondary Education from the University of Texas at Austin and holds an M.Ed. in Administration and Supervision from the University of Houston.
As a professional learning program manager, she has led large-scale professional learning efforts across globally dispersed schools. Her work included facilitating virtual coaching cycles, building blended learning models, and designing tools to monitor the impact of instructional practices. She has also served as an instructional specialist, school principal, district curriculum & instruction director, and regional leadership coach.
Rooted in a deep belief in lifelong learning and continuous growth, Lydia holds three master’s degrees in Educational Technology, Educational Leadership and an MBA in Business Administration.
A proud advocate for equity in education, Lydia joined Teach United to continue supporting educators in building meaningful, sustainable change in classrooms where it matters most. Outside of work, she enjoys time with family, exploring new learning tools, practicing photography and staying connected to her roots in the Southwest.
Before joining TeachUNITED, Dr. Keefer was responsible for overseeing the creation and implementation of high-quality professional learning programming for over 10,000 employees in a K-12 public school district. His expertise and commitment allowed him to be recognized as a state principal of the year.
Dr. Keefer graduated with a Doctorate in Education degree from the University of Georgia, in Athens, Georgia, with a dissertation focus on creating high quality, equitable professional learning opportunities for rural and nonrural educational leaders.
Stewart Bellina began her career in education as a school counselor and director of an alternative program at the high school level. After 13 years in that position, she was hired as the principal of San Juan Mountain School (SJMS) in the Archuleta School District. She and her colleagues started SJMS during the pandemic in the spring of 2020. Since then, her team has focused on developing a successful alternative school centered on community-building, academic rigor, wellness, and outdoor experiences. The results have been impressive, and Stewart’s passion for equality in education continues to drive her decisions as principal. Stewart has spoken at several education events, including the Colorado Association of Education Executives, the Colorado Healthy Schools Summit, and the San Diego Secondary Schools Showcase.
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