Faculty Focus is a student life series featuring a faculty member at Coppell High School, rotating by department each week.
Coppell High School learning coach Monica Champagne is dedicated to her responsibilities to grow as a staff member to better assist educators and students in developing engaging learning experiences. Champagne uses her role to bring enthusiasm to teaching and learning.
What inspired you to become an educator?
Before I was an educator, I was an accountant. While that was stable and logical for me to do, it really lacked the things I craved in my work, like creativity, human connection and the opportunity to make a difference in people’s lives. I’ve always been someone who loved learning, problem solving and helping people grow. My accountant job didn’t give me that opportunity and I felt that being an educator would allow me to do more than just input numbers on a spreadsheet. As a digital learning coach, I’m able to help both educators and students unlock new skills and generate innovative ideas.
How would you describe your approach to working with students?
I primarily work with educators, so a lot of my job is brainstorming and collaborating on new instructional practices. With adults, it’s very much them taking leadership of their time with me and making sure we accomplish the things we sat down to do. With students, the times I am able to get into the classroom and co-teach with educators is one of my favorite parts of this job. I strive to design lessons that are hands-on and engaging for students. A lot of students respond more positively to gamified lessons, so making content both learnable and fun has been an approach of mine this year.
What is a memorable moment from your time at CHS?
I used to teach a media class at Coppell Middle School West, but when I transitioned into my role as a learning coach at CHS, I was able to move up with some of my eighth graders. That was a really precious experience for me because, often, I don’t get to see what my students are doing past middle school. Then, I got to see them throughout high school as well. A lot of my students went on to pursue more media-related classes, and that made me happy because one of the most rewarding things as a teacher is when you see your students applying things in their life that you taught them. I think that my favorite moment was when I started here with that group of students. It was really sweet.
What do you love most about working at CHS? What are your goals for this school year?
In the past, I also worked as a digital learning coach, but now my job has transitioned into a learning coach that fully integrates all aspects of developing learning, including digitally. One of my goals for this school year has been to really work on growing myself and incorporating new strategies to fulfill all of the responsibilities that come with being a learning coach. The educators we have at CHS are incredible and I often find myself learning just as much from them as they are from me.
What advice would you give to new staff members at CHS?
Take advantage of the support system around you. Even our most experienced educator benefits from collaboration and assistance. As a learning coach, my job is to support teachers in educating students. I’d encourage them to take advantage of me and many other resources they have to succeed. A top athlete doesn’t make it to the top alone. They have coaches helping them refine their skills and a family to support them through their experience. Their support system is constantly helping them reach new levels of success. For our educators, it’s no different. Our faculty constantly wants to support and encourage us, so I hope new staff members feel comfortable to benefit from the opportunities and resources they are given.
Follow Aashi (@aashi_panchal6) and @CHSCampusNews on X.
