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877.485.1973 ⎸ 541.485.1973
Info@NIFDI.org

School Leader Mentoring Program

School Leader Mentoring Program

Support for Effective Direct Instruction Leadership

The NIFDI School Leader Mentoring Program provides personalized support for school and district leaders implementing Direct Instruction (DI). Through ongoing guidance from an experienced DI mentor, leaders build the knowledge, skills, and confidence they need to support teachers and strengthen DI implementation.

Who Is It For?

The program is designed for school and district leaders—including principals, assistant principals, instructional leaders, and building coordinators—who want additional support in leading a DI implementation.

Mentoring is especially valuable for leaders who have completed DI leadership training and are ready to apply what they have learned in their own school or district.

What Does Mentoring Include?

Each mentoring program is tailored to the needs of the school or district. Mentoring may include:

  • Regular virtual mentoring sessions
  • Guidance on implementing and supporting DI
  • Support with leadership challenges and questions
  • Reviewing school or student data
  • Identifying priorities and next steps
  • Practical strategies for supporting teachers and strengthening implementation
  • Additional support between sessions as needed

Personalized Support Throughout the School Year

Mentoring provides leaders with an experienced DI expert they can turn to as questions and challenges arise. Together, mentors and school leaders identify priorities, discuss solutions, and develop practical next steps.

The frequency and focus of mentoring can be adjusted based on the needs of the school or district.

Getting Started

The School Leader Mentoring Program is customized for each school or district. If you’re interested in learning more, NIFDI can help determine what type of mentoring support would best meet your needs.

Ready to learn more?

Complete our preliminary questionnaire, call NIFDI at 1-877-485-1973, or email info@nifdi.org.

Which best describes your role?

Curriculum Decision Maker
School and District Leader

Interested in learning how to implement Direct Instruction in your district, school, or home? NIFDI can help. Click a button below to learn more. 

Leaders
Coaches
Teachers
Parents
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.