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Two HISD instructional coaches received a big surprise in their classrooms on Friday as HISD administrators dropped in to present them with the second annual Ann Sledge Instructional Coach Excellence Awards.

Batshebe Nash, literacy instructional specialist at Hilliard Elementary School, was the winner of the campus-level award. James Newman, Teacher Development Specialist in the HISD Elementary Curriculum and Development Department, was the winner at the districtwide level.

The late Ann Sledge, a lifelong educator who dedicated more than 30 years to HISD, created a successful model of exemplary coaching. In honor of Sledge, one campus-level and one districtwide instructional coach are selected annually to be recognized for their outstanding contributions to building instructional capacity and positively impacting student achievement.

“The idea of the award was generated as a way to recognize Sledge’s impact on the district and the legacy she left behind in her role of coaching and instructional leadership,” said Officer of Elementary Curriculum and Development Lance Menster.

The Ann Sledge winners will be formally recognized at the district’s Educators of the Year celebration on Friday, May 18, at the Hilton Americas Hotel.