Go beyond rules—build real relationships

Your Instructor, Tim Fredrick, Ph.D.

I’ve spent more than twenty years teaching, mentoring, and coaching educators. In that time, I’ve worked with hundreds of teachers—from new candidates just stepping into their first classrooms to seasoned educators who’ve taught for decades. I started out as a classroom teacher myself, learning firsthand what it takes to guide students’ learning day after day. Over time, I found my focus shifting toward helping other teachers refine and deepen their practice—the same way mentors once did for me. I earned my Ph.D. in Education from New York University, where I studied how teens use language to navigate power in the classroom. That work shaped how I think about teaching: not just as a matter of content and curriculum, but as a web of relationships, communication, and shared meaning. These days, my work centers on helping teachers slow down, reflect, and make clear, intentional choices in their teaching. I believe professional development should do more than offer quick fixes—it should build habits of mind that support real, lasting growth. Whether I’m leading a workshop, observing a lesson, or coaching one-on-one, my goal is always the same: to meet teachers where they are and help them feel confident in the decisions they make for their students. After two decades in classrooms and schools, I founded Pedagogy Guru to create professional learning that feels both grounded and practical—something teachers can actually use the next day. I want teachers to feel seen, supported, and reminded that the work they do every day truly matters.