Meet Erinn Cottman

Today we’d like to introduce you to Erinn Cottman.

Hi Erinn, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start, maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I entered education 12 years ago with Teach for America and started teaching 5th grade at a local charter school. I come from a long line of educators, so it was only fitting that I would find teaching to be my calling. After several years teaching both 5th and 7th grade ELA, I discovered a love for coaching and the development of other teachers. I was blessed to have an amazing mentor, Dr. Kelly Gunn, who saw my potential as an educational leader.

I went back to school at GA State and earned my Educational Leadership Certification and stepped into the role of Assistant Principal for the last six years. Like all educators, the pandemic truly rocked my world. I had to learn to lead and manage in crisis, all while beginning to question the intense schedule I lived in for the last 11 years. It was during that time that I launched Erinn Cottman Teacher Development, an educational consulting company that helps educators to improve their practice. I finally had found the time to launch what I thought would be a side hustle!

In 2021, as schools returned to in-person learning and after much self-reflection, I resigned from my Assistant Principal role (and turned down another amazing opportunity) to become a full-time entrepreneur. I truly felt called to expand. My reach and impact, as I know that many schools and leaders need and desire quality coaching and professional development.

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
The struggles along the way have been mindset. I am learning to believe in myself, my gift, and my calling. I had to learn that I had value to bring and get really comfortable with owning that I am an expert in this education work. I had to undo the idea that I had to work for someone else in order to be able to provide for myself and my family. Sometimes we talk ourselves out of our own greatness!

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I specialize in delivering results for educators, school leaders and districts. With over ten years in the education game, I use my first-hand experience to develop schools towards cultivating equitable school experiences, rigorous and differentiated lessons and joyful learning environments.

Equity means that every child gets what he or she needs in our schools—every child, regardless of where they come from, what they look like, who their guardians are, what their behavior is, or what knowledge they come to school with or without. Every child gets what they need, day in and day out, in order to have all the skills that they need in order to live a fulfilling life of their choice. I believe that investing in the development of teachers is the pivotal move to create the schools of our dreams and one that our kids deserve. I’m on a personal mission to change the narrative of poor school leadership and put respect back on the education profession.

Working with educators to help identify their teaching superpowers and then using them to ignite their student’s unique gifts is what I was born to do. I help educators build confidence in their craft, and ultimately themselves so that our beautiful black and brown youngins can be profoundly impacted in ways that no one would have ever imagined. I currently work with school clients, leadership teams & districts around the country. I am getting ready to launch hybrid group coaching for current school leaders who want to level up their skills!

What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
Bet on yourself. When you know that you have a gift, it is your duty to use it to impact change.

Contact Info:

• Email: hello@erinncottman.com
• Website: www.erinncottman.com
• Instagram: @erinncottman

Image Credits
Kelley Raye