Staff Spotlight: Michelle DelBuono and Amy Hess
Instructional Coaches Shaping Teaching at Keystone
This month, we highlight two educators whose work reaches every corner of Keystone Academy’s classrooms: instructional coaches Amy Hess (grades 4–8) and Michelle Delbuono (grades K–3). For more than two decades, they have supported teachers, strengthened instruction, and helped shape the school’s daily life—from lesson planning and classroom management to Mrs. DelBuono’s leadership in book ordering and staff culture, and Mrs. Hess’s Title One coordination.
Their professional paths began in the same charter school network and have run side by side ever since. They have traveled between schools together, raised their families alongside one another, and become close friends in the process. Today, their combined experience and steady guidance help ensure that Keystone’s teachers—and students—have what they need to succeed.
Staff Spotlight: Amy Hess
Instructional Coach and Title One Coordinator
Excellence in teaching doesn’t happen by accident—and that’s where Mrs. Amy Hess does her work every day. As instructional coach for grades 4–8 and Keystone’s Title One Coordinator, Mrs. Hess has spent nearly a quarter-century supporting educators, refining instruction, and helping teachers build the confidence and skills they need to help students succeed.
A Legacy of Dedication
Mrs. Hess began working with a network of charter schools in 2001, when she joined the Laboratory Charter School and traveled weekly to multiple school sites as an instructional coach. When Planet Abacus (now Keystone Academy) opened its doors in 2007, she supported the school one day a week and officially became a Keystone employee in 2013.
Her career path reflects both versatility and dedication. After teaching kindergarten for three years, Mrs. Hess looped with her students through first, second, and third grades before moving into instructional coaching. She later returned to the classroom to teach sixth grade before resuming her coaching role—a position she has held for 19 of her 25 years in education.
My kids always tell their friends that mommy teaches teachers.
That description captures the heart of what she does: empowering educators to be their very best.
The Role of an Instructional Coach
As an instructional coach, Mrs. Hess serves as a bridge between teachers and administration, offering personalized support in areas such as classroom management, curriculum, lesson delivery, and instructional strategies, including flexible grouping and small group instruction.
Her work is rarely routine. Mrs. Hess collaborates closely with new and veteran teachers through “coaching cycles”—targeted, ongoing support tailored to individual needs. Whether she is observing a lesson, coteaching, modeling best practices, or engaging in reflective conversations, she meets teachers where they are and guides them toward continuous improvement.
I help teachers in any way they need it before it has to get to admin. I’m there to make teaching less overwhelming and to help them want to come to school and teach.
Mrs. Hess, along with the K-3 Instructional Coach, Michelle DelBuono, participates in weekly administrative meetings and regular classroom walkthroughs focused on Tier I instruction and flexible grouping, helping ensure that Keystone’s instructional standards remain consistently high across grade levels.
Beyond the Classroom: Title One Leadership
In addition to her coaching responsibilities, Mrs. Hess serves as Keystone Academy’s Title I Coordinator—a role that includes parent meetings, compliance reporting, and parent involvement initiatives. Each summer, she organizes the school’s Kindergarten Readiness Workshops, welcoming incoming families and equipping them with the information and resources they need for a strong start.
Mrs. Hess also coordinates conditional promotion for students who need additional support over the summer, tracking assignments and ensuring each child receives the attention necessary to move forward academically. Behind the scenes in August, she helps organize and deliver professional development for returning staff and helps lead new staff induction, making her one of the first friendly faces new teachers meet at Keystone.
A Philosophy Built on Relationships
Mrs. Hess’s approach to instructional coaching is rooted in one guiding principle: building trust.
My goal is to make teachers feel comfortable and want to talk to me. If you don’t have a relationship with a teacher, you can’t progress any further. I want them to feel welcomed, to know that what they’re experiencing is normal, and that they’re not alone.
That open‑door philosophy has earned her the confidence of countless educators over the years. For Mrs. Hess, the greatest reward isn’t a number on a report; it’s watching a teacher grow in confidence, skill, and love for the work.
Inspiration and Growth
One of Mrs. Hess’s favorite aspects of working at Keystone is the opportunity to participate in the school’s summer professional development trips. Over the years, she has traveled with colleagues to Minneapolis, Seattle, Tulsa, Austin, and other cities—returning each time with new ideas and strategies to share with staff.
Those trips have been really fun and rewarding. I enjoy getting to know teachers outside of school and bringing back something valuable that benefits everyone.
When asked what inspires her most, she said without hesitation, “The chance to make a difference.”
I want to help teachers be better at their craft. Teaching can become overwhelming—it’s a lot of work and a lot of stress. If I can help them with that and make it better, that’s what drives me every day.
Life Beyond Keystone
A graduate of Central Bucks East High School and Houghton College in New York, Mrs. Hess now calls Glenside home, where she lives with her husband of 21 years and their two sons, ages 11 and 16, who attend Abington schools.
When she’s not coaching teachers or coordinating programs, Mrs. Hess and her family often go camping. From April through October, they travel in their trailer, exploring new destinations.
A Cornerstone of Keystone
For nearly 25 years, Mrs. Amy Hess has been a steady presence in the lives of educators—guiding, supporting, and encouraging them to grow. Her commitment to teacher development and student success makes her an invaluable member of the Keystone Academy Charter School community.