Fletcher Elementary School veteran educators Teresa Isabella, a JPS instructional coach, and Chris Collins, a teacher on special assignment supporting students and staff, have teamed up and collaborated to bridge the gap between academic instruction and behavioral support.

At Fletcher Elementary School, the “Fletcher Family” is more than just a phrase to Teresa Isabella and Chris Collins; it’s the heartbeat of their daily work in supporting students, staff, and families.

And it’s hard to find two more valued “family” members than the two of them.

“Fletcher truly feels like a family,” Isabella said. “Our staff is incredibly supportive, compassionate, and dedicated. We lift one another up, celebrate successes, and come together during challenges — always with our students at the heart of everything we do.”

Throughout this school year, the two veteran educators have teamed up and collaborated to bridge the gap between academic instruction and behavioral support for Fletcher’s students, staff, and families.

“Our goal is that teachers feel supported, empowered, and confident in their work — because when teachers thrive, students do too,” Collins said.

Isabella has been a longtime presence at Fletcher, spending over two decades as a classroom teacher — a fixture in Fletcher’s “Pod” wing — prior to becoming an instructional coach this school year. Collins has served as Fletcher’s teacher on special assignment supporting students and staff since the 2022-23 school year. Prior to joining Fletcher, he spent nine years in the district as an elementary teacher in different buildings.

Together, they are working on educating the “whole child” and supporting the “whole classroom.”

“Our roles naturally complement each other,” Isabella said. “While I focus on supporting teachers with instruction, curriculum and classroom strategies, Chris works directly to support students’ social, emotional, and behavioral needs.”

Isabella and Collins problem-solve, share insights, and design supports for classrooms that ensure both students and teachers receive the help they need.

“This partnership allows us to create a more consistent, caring, and effective learning environment for everyone at Fletcher,” Isabella added.

Collins explained that his goal for this school year has been to strengthen that teamwork component.

“The reason for this goal is due to the fact that it’s less about the individual goal rather than being team focused,” he explained.

Collins noted that this success is fueled by the ongoing support from administrators Amanda Sischo and Megan Brown.

“We have a great team and our administrators are supportive of the work we do together,” he said.

Sischo, the building’s principal for the last six years, is grateful for the experience and expertise of both Isabella and Collins.

“The collaboration between Teresa and Chris has been a game-changer for our building this year,” said Fletcher Elementary School Principal Amanda Sischo. “By having Teresa’s instructional expertise paired with Chris’s focus on student and staff support, we are able to meet the needs of our school from every angle. They truly embody the ‘Fletcher Family’ spirit by ensuring that our teachers feel empowered in the classroom and our students feel supported emotionally and behaviorally.”

Ultimately, the partnership between Isabella and Collins is a reflection of the unique culture within the district’s second-largest school building. Even in such a busy and vibrant building, they strive to maintain a warm, welcoming, and nurturing environment where no one feels like just a number.

“The love and care our staff have for the children is immense,” Isabella said. “It is truly a privilege to work alongside such passionate educators and to be part of a community that cares so deeply for its students.”