Our Origin
In October 2021, a virtual keynote planted the seed for something transformative. Michael Nelson, Assistant Executive Director of the Washington Association of School Administrators (WASA), invited Peter DeWitt to speak. That connection sparked not just a conversation—but a shared vision.
Together with Chris Beals, they launched the Instructional Leadership Network (ILN), a two-year, hybrid professional learning journey tailored for Directors of Teaching and Learning across Washington state. What made the ILN stand out was its intentionality—a structure that mirrored how Peter had already begun approaching coaching: hybrid, personalized, and rooted in connection.
But this wasn’t the final chapter. It was just the beginning.
The Work That Shapes Us
From the ILN’s success emerged a deeper calling: to expand the reach and depth of professional learning experiences based on helping educators and leaders develop a shared understanding, engage in joint work, and evaluate their impact. That’s when the Instructional Leadership Collective (ILC) was born.
At ILC, we’re boutique by design—not big box. We build reciprocal partnerships with teachers, instructional coaches, school leaders, and district leaders, not just professional development plans.
Our offerings range from short, high-impact workshops to long-term hybrid partnerships centered on leadership, strategic planning, and collective efficacy.
But what truly defines us is our mindset: We don’t just teach—we grow with you. Our coaching is grounded in two critical questions:
- How do the actions we take impact student learning in a positive way?
- How do we evaluate our own impact?
Our mission is as much about reflection as it is about results. Every interaction is designed to cultivate collaborative school communities where both students and adults thrive.
The Future We're Building Together
We believe leadership is storytelling in action—and the most powerful stories ripple beyond the room.
That’s why we created ILC Giving—a tangible extension of our values. Each year, we donate a percentage of our salaries to organizations that reflect our mission, such as Micah’s Miles and Plateau Outreach Ministries.
We also give back through student scholarships in honor of loved ones: Peter’s sister Trish, and Michael’s parents, Mary and Bob Nelson.
At ILC, we build innovative futures while always honoring our past.
