Supporting school and system leaders with developing
the mindsets, skill, habits, and systems for transformative instructional leadership.
.png)
_edited.png)
Lead the year with clarity
&
strengthen your coaching systems for 2026
-min.jpg)
Days
DD
Hours
HH
Minutes
MM
Second
SS
To Save Your Spot
Our Fall Cohort reached capacity in just 2 days!
After continued outreach from school leaders,
we’ve opened 10 additional seats for this cohort of Focused Feedback™ Academy.
Seats are limited—secure yours today.
Introducing
Now, an eight-week virtual group coaching program
for instructional leaders to master feedback that transforms
teacher practice and student learning.
Now that the new year is underway, are you realizing your coaching needs more focus and intention to carry you through the rest of the school year?
Looking for a structured space to practice, refine strategies, and coach with clarity and confidence? the rest of the school year?
Invest In Your Leadership!
Have questions? Let set up a quick meeting.
Move from drained and overwhelmed to
delivering feedback that energizes teachers.
In the Focused Feedback™ Academy, you’ll learn a proven, high‑leverage framework to identify the most important next step, practice delivering concise, actionable feedback in a safe environment, and gain accountability structures to ensure implementation. Instead of watching your feedback fall flat, you’ll start 2026 confident that your coaching will lead to measurable student achievement gains.
Why Focused Feedback™ Academy?
-
Attend weekly sessions led by VJR Consulting Firm Learning Facilitator & Leadership Coach, Nikki Bascombe, with support from our Founder & Chief Education Officer, Dr. Vernon-James Riley.
-
Learn a proven framework for identifying and coaching the single most high-leverage action that drives real growth.
-
Practice delivering feedback in a safe, supportive environment with real-time coaching from Vernon and Nikki.
-
Implement your learning with accountability, structure, and expert guidance every step of the way.
-
Stay on track with weekly homework, a peer “Breakthrough Buddy,” and community check-ins designed to help you turn insight into action.
Who’s the Academy for?
-
Designed for K–12 School Leaders
-
Principals, assistant principals, instructional coaches, district/network instructional leaders.
-
Any stage of leadership — from brand new to experienced.
-
For those responsible for coaching teachers and supporting professional learning.
.png)
Grab your editable Professional Development funds letter here
Have questions? Let set up a quick meeting.
Inside the Academy
When: Jan 27 – March 20, 2026
Eight weeks, virtual via Zoom
Learning Sessions:
Tuesdays, 6–7:30 PM ET
Q&A Calls:
Thursdays, 5 PM–6 PM ET
Community:
Private Online Community with daily posts & peer support
Personalized Coaching: Includes a 30-min 1:1 coaching session
Testimonials
Hear from some of our clients about the impact of working with VJR Consulting Firm
Client Testimonials
Client Testimonials
Focused Feedback Academy Testimonial
Focus Feedback Academy Testimonial
Testimonial
We can't wait to see you there!
Have questions? Let set up a quick meeting.
Meet Your Coaches
Hi! I'm Dr. Vernon-James Riley.
As a first-generation college graduate raised in a single-grandparent household, Vernon-James Riley knows firsthand the power of education to open doors of opportunity and transform lives. Formerly the Vice Provost of National Leadership Programs at Relay Graduate School of Education, Vernon-James has led professional development and provided coaching in school culture, data-driven instruction, and strategic planning for leaders nationwide. Previously, as Principal of North Star Academy Charter School in Newark, NJ, he led his school to academic success, with all grades exceeding state averages in Math and outperforming non-economically disadvantaged students in ELA. Vernon-James also brings experience as a teacher, Dean of Students, and Director of Operations. Currently, Vernon-James recently earned his doctorate in Education Leadership at Harvard University, with additional degrees from Yale. Vernon-James also is also licensed as a District Administrator. An alumnus of Education Pioneers and the Leverage Leadership Institute, currently pursuing certification as a Data Wise Coach, Vernon-James combines his deep expertise and diverse background to guide leaders toward impactful and sustainable results.
Hi, I'm Nikki Bascombe Learning Facilitator & Leadership Coach
Education changed the trajectory of Nikki Bascombe’s life and she is paying it forward by leading and inspiring the young boys and girls of Uncommon Schools NYC.
Nikki Bascombe is completing her third year as an Elementary Regional Superintendent of Instruction for Uncommon Schools NYC after serving as the Principal of Excellence Girls Charter School Elementary Academy for 7 years.
Nikki grew up in Crown Heights, Brooklyn. She received her B.A. in Anthropology with a certificate in African-American Studies from Princeton University.
Nikki was a 2008 Teach for America Corps member and she joined Uncommon Schools as a first and second grade teacher and served as the Dean of Students at Leadership Prep Bedford Stuyvesant. She became an Uncommon Schools Instructional Fellow at Leadership Prep Ocean Hill where she learned best practices for leading a highly effective school. Nikki then served as the Principal at Excellence Girls Elementary Academy for 7 years and during the 2017-2018 school year she was the Senior Principal of both Excellence Boys and Excellence Girls Elementary Academies. Nikki now directly coaches 6 elementary principals and helps to manage the effectiveness of their schools as a Regional Superintendent in Brooklyn.
FAQs
How long is the Focused ™ Academy?
The Focused Feedback™ Academy is a eight week program designed to give you the tools, practice, and accountability you need to transform your feedback. Sessions run from January 27 – March 20, 2026.
What if I can’t attend a session live?
Life happens, and we know leaders are busy. All sessions are recorded and uploaded to our private Facebook group within 24 hours. You’ll also receive session handouts and reflection prompts so you can stay fully caught up, even if you miss a live call. Plus, your accountability buddy and the group community ensure you’re never learning in isolation.
Can my school or district pay for this program?
Yes. Many leaders use their Professional Development (PD) funds or school budgets to cover enrollment. We offer both direct checkout (credit card/PayPal) and an invoice option for schools or districts. To make the process easier, we’ve created a letter template you can edit and share with your principal, budget manager, or decision maker. link to the PD funding letter
I’m already an experienced leader. Is this program right for me?
Absolutely. Whether you’re brand new or a seasoned instructional principal, the Academy helps you sharpen your skills, not just learn the basics. Experienced leaders tell us they value the chance to practice in a coached environment and to walk away with a framework that makes their feedback more consistent, focused, and effective.
How much time should I expect to commit each week?
Plan for about 2–3 hours per week. That includes the 90-minute Tuesday session, an optional Thursday Q&A, and weekly “homework.” But this isn’t busywork — it’s job-embedded practice. You’ll choose one teacher in your school and apply what you learn: observing their instruction, identifying high-leverage feedback, engaging them in a coaching conversation, re-observing, and giving real-time feedback. In other words, you’re doing the work you already do as an instructional leader — just with tighter focus, new tools, and structured support.
What results can I expect by the end of the program?
Will I get one-on-one support, or is this only group coaching?
Both. In addition to the small-group coaching (max 10 participants), every leader receives a 30-minute 1:1 coaching session with a VJR Consulting coach. You can schedule this session anytime during the Academy or within two weeks after the program ends — as long as it’s completed before April 6th. That’s your chance to get personalized feedback on your own context, challenges, and next steps.
What kinds of tools and resources will I get?
You’ll leave with a proven framework for Focused Feedback™ , plus ready-to-use templates, checklists, and guides to make implementation faster. These resources are designed to be plug-and-play — so you don’t have to reinvent the wheel. You’ll also get recordings of every session to revisit anytime.
Leaders who implement our framework consistently see teachers acting on their feedback within weeks, leading to stronger instruction and improved student outcomes. By the end of the eight weeks, you’ll not only know how to give clear, actionable feedback — you’ll have practiced it, tested it, and seen results in your school.
What if I’m on the fence?
That’s normal. The best way to know is to ask: Do I want my feedback to actually change teacher practice and student learning? If the answer is yes, this program is designed for you. With only 10 seats available and enrollment closing January 26, 2026, waiting usually means missing out until the next cohort.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
-
This enrollment offer is valid during the public registration period from January 20-26, 2026, with Early Bird pricing available until January 23rd, 2026.
-
Enrollment is limited to ten (10) seats, available on a first-come, first-served basis.
-
All participants who enroll will receive the bonuses:
Get Better Faster 2.0 book (mailed to the address provided).
One (1) extra month in the private leadership community.
One (1) 30-minute 1:1 coaching session with a VJR coach.
-
Payment is required at the time of enrollment to secure your seat. Schools and districts may cover registration costs using Professional Development (PD) funds. Access funding request letter. In this case an Invoice will be sent.
-
All sales are final, and no refunds will be issued once payment has been processed. Transfers to a future cohort may be considered only if requested before the first live session and are subject to availability.
DISCLAIMERS
-
The Focused Feedback™ Academy is a standalone program and is not tied to any other VJR Consulting packages or engagements.
-
The promotional rates and bonuses apply exclusively to this registration period.
-
VJR Consulting reserves the right to modify or cancel the program in case of unforeseen circumstances. In such cases, participants will be notified promptly and offered transfer or credit options.
-
VJR Consulting will provide high-quality coaching, resources, and community support tailored to instructional leadership development. However, we cannot guarantee that you or your organization will achieve specific goals or outcomes solely through participation. Your active engagement, completion of assignments, and application of the strategies provided will ultimately determine the results in your context.