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NIFDI Announces Transition in Outreach Leadership

NIFDI Announces Transition in Outreach Leadership

After many years of dedicated service, Bryan Wickman will be transitioning from his role as Outreach Director. We are incredibly grateful for his years of commitment to NIFDI and the relationships he has built with schools, organizations, and partners around the world. We are also pleased that Bryan will continue working with NIFDI over the next year as an Outreach Consultant/Specialist.

As Bryan transitions out of the role, Alisa Kerr will step into the Outreach Director position. Alisa joined NIFDI seven years ago and has served in a variety of roles, including Implementation Manager, Trainer, and Partnership Liaison. Before joining NIFDI, Alisa spent eight years with IDEA Public Schools, where she taught more than 15 Direct Instruction programs, coached educators across more than 20 programs, and served as a Direct Instruction Coach and Assistant Principal of Instruction.

Alisa brings extensive experience in Direct Instruction implementation, training, and coaching, and we are excited for her to take on this new role!

To learn more about Alisa and her background, visit her bio here.

Please join us in thanking Bryan for his many years of service and welcoming Alisa into her new role. We look forward to continuing to support our partners and expanding the reach and impact of Direct Instruction together!

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What is a Peer Coach?

Peer coaches play a critical role in sustaining strong implementation of Direct Instruction (DI) at the school level. Selected during the first year of implementation, peer coaches are classroom teachers who demonstrate strong instructional practice, effective communication with colleagues, and a willingness to support others. Because they teach the same programs as their peers, they bring practical expertise and shared experience that help build trust and collaboration across the school.

As implementation progresses, peer coaches extend the impact of NIFDI consultants by providing ongoing, school-based support when consultants are not on-site. Their coaching is non-evaluative and focused on improving student outcomes. Peer coaches reinforce effective teaching practices and guide colleagues to make targeted adjustments that directly impact student performance and behavior.

Peer coaches participate in a structured, multi-year training sequence through NIFDI. Over the course of two to three years, they are trained to analyze student performance data, conduct both brief and extended classroom observations, and support data-driven problem solving. Advanced training prepares them to lead grade-level meetings and contribute to broader instructional planning with school leadership.

By developing peer coaches, schools build internal capacity to maintain and strengthen DI implementation over time—ensuring continuity, supporting new staff, and driving sustained student achievement.