Meet the Team
Our partnership commitment is to establish strong connections with principals, teachers, and school leaders, recognizing their crucial role in addressing school needs and enhancing student outcomes. We offer tailored programs and personalized coaching services that provide dedicated support to educators as they embark on their journey to improve their teaching practices.​
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Combining our partnership approach, customized services, and expertise in implementing evidence-based practices, we are dedicated to creating a lasting impact on education. We strive to empower our partners, promote effective teaching, and contribute to the advancement of the education system as a whole.
Meet The Team
Stefane Beddard
Founder / Education Consultant
Stefane Beddard collaborates nationally and internationally with teachers, leaders, and school systems to enhance student learning. Drawing on her expertise in literacy, curriculum adoption, instructional coaching, MTSS, and school improvement processes, she emphasizes a systemic approach to building capacity and empowering teachers. With experience as a teacher, coach, administrator, curriculum writer, and consultant, Stefane effectively supports classrooms, schools, and districts. Passionate about education and driven by her diverse consulting experience, Stefane creates customized solutions to meet the specific needs of schools and districts. Through collaborative efforts and strategic planning, she consistently assists educators in achieving their goals and fostering positive change.
Amanda Greene
Math Consultant
Amanda has a robust background in mathematics education and instructional coaching. With extensive teaching experience in various grade spans, she has cultivated a deep understanding of student learning needs and effective pedagogical strategies. Over the years, Amanda has demonstrated exceptional skill in delivering engaging and comprehensive math instruction, and fostering a love for mathematics among students. Her expertise includes developing and implementing curriculum, differentiating instruction to meet diverse learner needs, and utilizing data-driven approaches to enhance student outcomes. In addition to Amanda’s time in the classroom, she has served as an instructional coach for K-12 educators, providing mentorship, modeling and professional development to enhance teaching practices. She works alongside teachers to design and deliver effective math instruction, integrate technology in the classroom, and employ innovative teaching techniques. Amanda is committed to continuous learning and staying abreast of the latest trends and research in mathematics education. Her dedication to fostering a growth mindset and building a strong mathematical foundation in students makes her a valuable asset to any educational institution or organization seeking to improve math instruction and student achievement.
Heather Heinze
MTSS Consultant
Specializing in Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS), Heather brings 20 years of experience in public education with 7 years of experience focused on educational leadership and strategic intervention. Her passion lies in fostering inclusive environments where every student can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally as well as supporting families in order to ensure student needs are met. Heather’s expertise includes supporting educators on MTSS best practices, data-driven decision-making, and personalized learning strategies as well as the logistical aspect of implementing the Multi-Tiered System of Support. One of Heather’s strengths is creating and updating documentation to be simple and efficient. Heather is dedicated to empowering educators with the tools and strategies needed to create equitable learning opportunities for all students. She aims to support schools in optimizing their MTSS implementation to maximize student outcomes and ensure educational excellence.
Carrie Herstine
ELA Consultant
Throughout her career, Carrie has been committed to building strong connections with fellow educators, recognizing that collaboration is key to meeting the diverse needs of students. By partnering with teachers from kindergarten through eighth grade, she has implemented effective strategies that cater to a wide range of learning styles and abilities. Carrie has continuously pursued professional development opportunities to stay abreast of the latest educational trends and methodologies. She believes in the power of professional learning communities and has led numerous workshops and training sessions to share best practices and innovative teaching techniques. Most importantly, Carrie is deeply committed to student success!
Christy Howe
Gifted Education Consultant
With over 25 years of experience in education, Christy Howe is a dedicated professional who specializes in Gifted Education and Instructional Coaching. Christy is deeply committed to collaborating with students, educators, and leadership teams to craft educational experiences that empower all learners to realize their full potential. Christy brings nearly two decades of expertise as a Gifted Education Specialist. She excels in designing and delivering differentiated, rigorous instruction. Her dedication to advancing equity and excellence in education is evident in her innovative, inclusive methods for identifying and nurturing gifted potential across diverse student populations. As an instructional coach, Christy partners with educators to analyze data, establish student-centered goals, and implement effective strategies that elevate classroom instruction and improve student learning outcomes. Her collaborative coaching approach fosters a culture of continuous improvement and professional growth among teachers.
Lauren Jennings
ML Consultant
With over 19 years dedicated to education, Lauren has journeyed from being a third-grade teacher to specializing in Multilingual Learners (MLs). Early in her career, she discovered her passion for working with MLs, sparking a dynamic path across various school districts in North and South Carolina. Lauren's roles have ranged from ML specialist to Instructional Coach in the largest district in South Carolina to Assistant Director for Special Services, where she thrived in empowering educators about the marvels of language acquisition. Lauren's mission is to show fellow educators the joy and fulfillment of teaching Multilingual Learners, emphasizing the enriching experience they bring to classrooms.
Meg Groseclose
ELA Consultant
Meg Groseclose is an experienced Early Literacy Facilitator and Literacy Coach with 15 years in education, including 8 years of coaching. She holds a Master of Arts in Education (MAEd) in Reading and Literacy K-12 and a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education K-6. National Board Certified in Reading-Language Arts (Early and Middle Childhood), Meg specializes in individualized reading interventions for K-5 students, best practices in core ELA instruction and coaching educators on research-based literacy strategies. In addition, Meg has done summer work in Chicago schools, supporting 4th and 5th-grade teachers. A graduate of Jim Knight’s Coaching Institute, she collaborates with Jim Knight and the Instructional Coaching Group as a Learning Partner. Most recently she’s been invited to present at the largest coaching conference, TLC, and has also been invited to be a guest speaker on Jim Knight’s podcast, Coaching Conversations. She is currently partnering with Jim Knight to be a part of his upcoming book, where she shares her work and success as a coach. A dedicated mentor to beginning teachers and a Master Teacher Trainer for Amplify’s mClass, Meg was named Teacher of the Year (2015-2016) and served as a Student Ambassador for ECU’s MAEd in Literacy program. Passionate about empowering educators, Meg continues to impact both teachers and students positively.
Kevin Smith
SEL Consultant
Kevin brings over 20 years of experience in early childhood education, with a strong focus on strategic planning, capacity building, and inclusive practices. His passion lies in supporting educators, staff, and the children and families they serve—especially those facing barriers related to physical, social-emotional, socioeconomic, ethnic, racial, or developmental differences. Kevin’s expertise includes designing and implementing proactive behavior support frameworks, trauma-informed care strategies, and organizational wellness initiatives. He is skilled in aligning resources, developing procedures, and leading cross-sector teams to improve service quality and equity across learning environments. Dedicated to advancing access and inclusion, Kevin empowers education professionals with the tools and strategies needed to create equitable, high-quality learning environments. In addition to his work with ImpactEdu, he currently serves as Program Manager for Interdisciplinary Services at the Los Angeles County Office of Education Head Start and Early Learning Division.
Makenze West
Secondary ELA and Special
Education Consultant
Dr. Makenze West is a dedicated and experienced educator with over 13 years of service in the field of education. Her career spans a wide range of roles across elementary, middle, and high school settings, reflecting her deep commitment to supporting student success at every developmental stage. Dr. West began her career as a special education teacher, where she developed a strong foundation in differentiated instruction and student advocacy. She later expanded her impact by serving as a high school English language arts teacher, bringing a passion for literacy and critical thinking into the classroom. Her expertise and leadership led her into a middle school curriculum specialist and instructional coach role, where she supported English language arts teachers in onboarding of new curriculum, implementing best practices, and driving instructional improvement. Currently serving as an Elementary Assistant Principal, Dr. West leverages her instructional and leadership experience to foster a culture of high expectations, equity, and continuous growth for students and staff. Dr. West holds a Bachelor of Arts in Special Education and Secondary English Language Arts, a Master’s in Special Education, and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership. Her academic and professional journey reflects a lifelong commitment to inclusive education, effective leadership, and meaningful school transformation.