Literacy coordinator Martha Sandstead finds inspiration for her coaching work in a quote from civil rights organizer Lawrence Guyot: "Let's say you're riding past a picnic, and people are cuttin' watermelons. You don't immediately go and say, "stop the watermelon cutting" and let's talk. … You cut some watermelons, or you help somebody else serve 'em." With this idea in mind, Sandstead works alongside the teachers in her school, immersing herself in their classrooms to learn who they are as professionals and providing support and encouragement to in their efforts to improve. For Sandstead, this can mean providing treats for a regular social event, having informal conversations in the copy room, taking the risk to try out strategies she isn't sure about, pointing out others' expertise, doing little tasks that can help teachers try new things, and helping teachers see themselves in data. By meeting teachers where they are and building trusting professional relationships, she believes she has made teachers more willing to open their doors to her so they can work together.