Currently Jessica Zimmerman serves as the gifted teaching and learning coach at her K-5 Gifted Academy in the Tempe Elementary Public School District in Arizona. She supports her educators in gifted methodologies and strategies to support their gifted and twice exceptional students. For 10 years, Instructional coach Jessica Zimmerman helped teachers at Phoenix’s Valley View Leadership Academy increase student engagement, incorporate technology into their classrooms, and think outside the box to support their students. Roosevelt School District partners with the National Institute for Excellence in Teaching (NIET), emphasizing the role of instructional coaches in its methodology for teacher improvement. Zimmerman seeks out district resources, pursues a variety of avenues to enhance her own practice, then shares instructional strategies and professional learning opportunities to her colleagues. She differentiates her coaching to accommodate teachers wherever they are in her career, from beginning to veteran. Zimmerman demonstrates lessons, provides guidance and helps teachers plan lessons. During the pandemic, she met with teachers online to help them with effective strategies for remote instruction. Zimmerman leads professional learning communities for Valley View teachers and the district’s instructional coaches, focusing on curriculum implementation and coaching cycles. One of her key goals: create opportunities for her colleagues to become teacher leaders.
Before stepping into her current coaching role, Zimmerman taught kindergarten, second and third grades, as well as leading Roosevelt School District’s gifted program. She still focuses on gifted students and is committed to providing access and equity to ensure that they receive a high-quality education. Concerned about maintaining gifted students’ access to appropriate instruction during school closures, Zimmerman quickly developed Zoom lessons and materials for online instruction, then met online with gifted students in large groups, small groups and one-to-one. Last summer, after reviewing relevant laws, Zimmerman created and facilitated an online gifted teacher training module that was approved by the district board and positions Roosevelt’s teachers to earn certification for teaching gifted students.
Zimmerman plays a key role in expanding opportunities for all students at Valley View. She is the “trainer of trainers” for The Leader In Me, a program that addresses social-emotional learning, providing mentoring, coaching and professional development to make sure teachers are informed and working toward clearly articulated goals. Zimmerman took charge of the school’s 21st Century Community Learning Centers grant, forming community partnerships to provide a wide range of afterschool clubs and activities. Rather than waiting for faculty to volunteer, she proactively interviewed colleagues and suggested activities that aligned with their interests. Under her guidance, Zimmerman grew student participation in 21st Century clubs from 50 to more than 250 students.
Zimmerman earned a bachelor’s in 2011 and a master’s in 2013 from Arizona State University.
With the inspiration from the Milken Motto, "be 10% bolder", Jessica pursued her life-long dream of becoming a published author, with writing her book "Growing Up Gifted." A book about the abilities, talents, myths, and challenges of being a gifted child. More at: growingupgifted.com
Press release: Jessica Zimmerman Earns $25,000 Milken Educator Award for Instructional Leadership in Phoenix’s Roosevelt School District
"When they called my name, time stood still. It's that..." (read more)
