Moving from Compliance to Impact: Reframing the role Rigor Walk data plays in your school or district
Most teachers and school leaders have experienced instructional walks as something that is “done to them” rather than with them. This session reframes that experience by unpacking the purpose, intent, and instructional power behind the rubric. Participants will explore how the tool serves as a genuine thought partner—one that clarifies expectations, elevates instructional conversations, and creates a shared vision of high-quality teaching and learning. Rather than feeling evaluative or compliance-driven, the walkthrough becomes a catalyst for meaningful reflection, collaborative problem-solving, and sustained instructional growth.
Merrick VanEllis
Kimberly Alexander
Kimberly Alexander is a School Leadership Coach with Instructional Empowerment. In this role, she works with school leaders to advance the social mission of the company which is to end generational poverty and eliminate racial achievement gaps through transformed Tier 1 core instruction.
For over 25 years, Kimberly has worked as a classroom teacher, Assistant Principal, and Principal in both traditional and charter schools. During this time, she was also the Founding Principal of a charter school. Throughout her career she has been able to put systems in place to support her core belief that all students can learn with the right resources and support in an environment conducive to learning. As a result of her combined experiences and desire to help underserved communities, Kimberly has set her life’s mission to see ALL children thrive through education.
Kimberly is a North Carolina native and graduate of North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University with a Bachelor and Masters in Elementary Education. She has also earned a Masters in School Administration with a focus on Curriculum and Instruction from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.