Jessica Holloway’s journey in education began long before she became an instructional coach. Her first job, coaching fall and cheerleading, planted the seeds of her lifelong commitment to helping others grow. “Teaching felt like a natural transition from coaching,” Holloway explains. “The goal is the same: know where someone is starting and support them in reaching their potential.” Today, as an instructional coach and innovation leader at Top 50 Educator, he continues to spread that same passion, supporting educators so students can experience learning to their fullest.
A pivotal moment in Holloway’s career came in her sixth grade Language Arts class. He had switched to student-led book groups, moving away from teacher-directed education. One day, he and the integration teacher were standing at the door, finalizing a backup plan, when they realized that class had started—without a single notification to them. Students were fully engaged, leading discussions, writing stories, and tracking their own progress. “At that time, I saw students so invested in their agency that the teacher became an assistant instead of a guardian,” Holloway recalled. “It reaffirmed my commitment to creating learning experiences that empower students for their own journeys.”
Holloway’s classroom strategies go beyond engagement—they incorporate learning with real-world impact. He co-creates problem-based learning units integrated with design thinking, helping students empathize with users before prototyping solutions. These units connect classroom concepts with local businesses and organizations, turning theoretical exercises into tangible contributions that benefit society. His approach reflects the belief that education should develop intellectuals who will be able to influence the world around them.
Succession, however, often comes with challenges. Holloway has navigated resistance to programs that prioritize competition over cooperation, particularly in STEM programs. To overcome this, he created a regional STEM Network, initially for his district but eventually involving teachers across Tennessee. The network promotes resource sharing, dialogue, and professional growth, ensuring that more students have access to high-quality STEM experiences. For Holloway, the measure of success isn’t recommended—it’s about expanded opportunities for students.
Her advice to teachers who feel burned out is practical but profound: “Try change—change schools, grade levels, or content areas. Sometimes it’s about finding the right fit for your skills and interests. Get involved in collaborative or professional learning that challenges and grows you.” Holloway’s work was redirected by the STEM Fellowship, which helped her integrate literacy and STEM in new, transformative ways.
Advocacy, Holloway insists, is about gathering data and telling a story. Numbers give the head insight, but stories move the heart. His philosophy emphasizes the power of strategic partnerships between teachers, parents, and communities to achieve systemic change.
If Holloway could implement one policy at the Department of Education, it would be equal funding for both sports and extracurriculars. “Leadership, ethics and skills come from both these arenas. Similarly, he encourages a shift from formal compliance to student agency, creating spaces where teachers can innovate and students can shape their own learning.”
Beyond his classroom, Holloway’s influence extends to the book he co-authored, Making Your School Irresistible: The Secret to Attracting and Retaining Great Teachersworkshops, and leadership roles in programs including STEM Fellowships and TechGoes HomeCHA. Her work ensures that teacher expertise is valued, supported, and used to improve student outcomes in all schools.
Jessica Holloway’s legacy is one of empowerment, innovation, and sustainability. He envisions schools as lifelong learning ecosystems, where teachers are partners in growth and students are recognized for their unique strengths. Through her work, Holloway ensures that education is not just a path to success but a healthy, equitable and inspiring journey across generations.
