Coaching with Heart: Sarah Vander Baan’s Commitment to Special Education Success

When Sarah Vander Baan first learned about the Professional Innovators in Education program, the decision to get involved felt almost instinctive. She felt the coaching opportunity aligned perfectly with her passion for teaching adults and responding to the growing shortage of Special Education educators. With more than 23 years of experience in the field, Sarah saw an opportunity to extend her impact beyond the classroom and into the professional growth of teachers.

“In Special Education, you learn quickly that success comes from understanding where a student is, identifying what they need most, and designing supports that are both targeted and practical,” Sarah explains. “I bring that same mindset to coaching adults.”

Her coaching approach mirrors strategies she refined throughout her teaching career. To provide teachers with individuated guidance, she highlighted the key support factors:

Breaking down complex skills into manageable steps so teachers can grow without feeling overwhelmed. Using data to guide decisions and keep feedback rooted in evidence. Listening and collaborating to ensure teachers feel heard and supported. Lastly, above all, celebrating small wins, something Sarah believes education desperately needs more of.

One of Sarah’s favorite aspects of being a Special Education coach is “helping candidates solve complex problems in ways that make their work easier and improve student outcomes.” She notes that Special Education is shaped by layers of laws, diverse learner needs, and system structures, terrain that can feel daunting for new educators. Sarah finds fulfillment in helping teachers break down these challenges, identify the heart of a problem, and discover solutions that improve both their workload and student success.

Sarah’s coaching is grounded in individualized support, which she is passionate about. She begins by understanding each educator’s strengths, challenges, classroom environment, and student needs. From that foundation, she shares that she will then “work with them to design supports that are specific, individualized, data-driven, and directly connected to the needs in their room.”

Her goal is not to provide one-size-fits-all strategies, but instead to help teachers build systems that align with their teaching style and the needs of their students.

Sarah’s work serves as a powerful reminder of why coaching matters, especially in Special Education. The role of a coach is not to provide all the answers, but to walk alongside educators as they build confidence, refine their skills, and create classrooms where every learner can thrive. Coaching creates space for reflection, problem-solving, and growth in a profession that is often fast-paced and emotionally demanding.

In Special Education, where individualized support and thoughtful decision-making are essential, coaching becomes a lifeline. It ensures that teachers never feel alone in navigating complex needs, challenging behaviors, and evolving expectations. Through relationships built on trust and compassion, coaches like Sarah empower educators to become stronger, more confident, and more effective. Ultimately, improving outcomes for the students who need it most.