Meet the Team
Dr. Amanda Melsby
Hi there!
Are you a new teacher feeling overwhelmed and underprepared? You’re not alone. I was in the same spot when I first started teaching. I’ll never forget how much I relied on my mentor and veteran teachers to help me through those first few years.
Many new teachers enter the classroom without adequate preparation, leading to frustration, stress, and even early burnout.
New Teacher Coach was created to support new teachers like you. We help you break through the overwhelm and move toward confidence and self-assurance.
How we help:
- Practical resources and templates
- Actionable tips and strategies
- Personalized support
Our goal? To empower you to make the impact you’ve always dreamed of in your classroom and find fulfillment in your profession.
My background:
- I have a teaching credential in English and taught grades 9-12 for over ten years
- I have a Master’s in Educational Administration and was a high school assistant principal and a high school principal
- I have an Ed.D in Educational Practice and Leadership and am currently a Dean of Teaching and Learning
I’ve also had the privilege of presenting at consecutive ICGS conferences in New York City and Baltimore, sharing insights on:
- Teacher growth and development
- Tailoring professional development to faculty needs
- Creating and implementing supportive new teacher programs
When I’m not coaching teachers, you’ll find me:
- Reading fiction
- Pickling any vegetable in sight
- Exploring the Northeast with Brad and our cocker spaniel, Sunny
- Planning our next international adventure
Fun Facts:
- My first “students” were stuffed animals (they always laughed at my jokes!)
- I believe Tabasco and vinegar improve most foods
- Proud dog mom
- Lover of sharp, yellow #2 pencils with full erasers
- Devoted “friend” of General Hospital
Let’s connect via email or on social media!
ourteam@newteachercoach.com
Brad Melsby
Hey everyone,
There’s no better feeling than being in control of your life. One powerful way to achieve that is to be comfortable and confident in a career.
You might already know that almost half of new teachers leave the profession in the first five years.
For a variety of reasons, education doesn’t always take good care of its newest employees. This is the impetus behind New Teacher Coach.
When I started in the classroom, I was fortunate to receive generous and patient support from numerous teachers and administrators. Whether it was classroom management advice or a much-needed lesson plan, mentors helped me experience a level of comfort and confidence that would have taken me much longer on my own.
At New Teacher Coach, you’ll find
- Strategies to engage your students
- Resources to save you time
- Ideas to alleviate your classroom management frustrations
- Teacher resume and interview guidance
My professional background:
- I’ve taught grades 7-12 (Social Science) for 19 years, mostly in American public schools
- I hold a Master’s in Educational Technology
- I’ve mentored four student-teachers over the years
- I have experience working with diverse student populations including English-language learners, honors, and International Baccalaureate students
In my free time, you might find me:
- Fishing or hiking
- Going on long walks or short runs
- Reading non-fiction, especially anything travel-related
- Rooting for UCLA sports teams
If you’re still reading, here are a few interesting facts about me:
- One of the best compliments I ever received from a student was “He never assigns busy work.” (Thank you for noticing!)
- My favorite place to be is Minnesota. My favorite country to visit is Japan – but whose isn’t, am I right?
- I’m a weather nerd. I want to try chasing storms one day.
- If I wasn’t an educator, I’d like to work for the Foreign Service or become the Rick Steves of Asia.
If you’re interested in our new teacher support, we LOVE to hear from you.
Let’s connect via email or on social media!
ourteam@newteachercoach.com
New Teacher Coach Mission and Vision:
Mission: Support the next generation of teachers by providing practical ideas, usable resources, and a vibrant community of support. Your success is our mission!
Vision: Advance education by prioritizing the success of teachers.
Our Core Values:
1. Prioritize teacher success. When teachers are successful, students benefit.
2. Provide a new teacher support program grounded in sound teaching practices.
3. Emphasize practical information that is usable in class tomorrow.
