Hi, I’m Ruth!
I equip educators
like you to lead change
with clarity, confidence,
and joy.*
*Our Secret Ingredient
You may be called a literacy coordinator, instructional coach, math specialist, curriculum director, or even something your district made up just for you. Whatever your title, you’re a certified educator helping teachers grow. We call you an Instructional Influencer.
I’m here to help you succeed.
Instructional Coach • Literacy Specialist • Math Coordinator • Curriculum Director • Instructional Facilitator • Academic Coach • Learning Specialist • Teacher Leader •
Instructional Coach • Literacy Specialist • Math Coordinator • Curriculum Director • Instructional Facilitator • Academic Coach • Learning Specialist • Teacher Leader •
Introducing The Lead Learners Community
Transforming school culture from the inside out
Lead Learners is my professional learning network that equips instructional influencers: the coaches, coordinators, and specialists who drive change in schools.
Together, we provide space for collaboration and growth so you can:
- Build confidence in leading new initiatives with teachers and school administrators (even if they seem resistant to change!)
- Enjoy your job so you no longer feel frustrated by a lack of progress in your school or school system
- Stay connected to a community of professionals in the same roles through ongoing mentoring, workshops, and retreats
When instructional influencers grow, teachers thrive, students benefit, and whole schools change for the better.
Join the Lead Learners Community
District memberships and individual seats available
Leading change shouldn’t leave you feeling isolated
You spend your days in classrooms, meetings, and planning sessions guiding teachers, implementing new initiatives, and answering everyone’s questions. But who supports you?
You’re pulled in every direction and constantly short on time
You’re unsure if your work is making a difference.
You love your role, but it often feels like you’re doing it alone.
I’m Ruth Ayres, and my passion is helping educators like you thrive!
Here’s my bio that you can send to your principal or superintendent:
Ruth Ayres is the Editor-in-Chief of Choice Literacy and the Director of The Lead Learners, a network helping instructional influencers thrive. She spent over 25 years as a school teacher, instructional coach, and innovation specialist, has coached hundreds of educators across the U.S., and is the author of three books.
Ruth blends practical strategies with heartfelt encouragement. She believes transformational change starts when the people supporting teachers are prepared, inspired, and connected to one another.
Here’s what I bring to the table
Content
Choice Literacy
A trusted, constantly updated library of mini-lessons, articles, and recommended resources to inspire educators and strengthen your Program Development toolbox. Curated by over 50 expert contributors.
Free Resources & Paid Subscriptions Available
Community
The Lead Learners
Workshops, mentoring, retreats, and networks created to empower the educators who guide teachers, helping them lead change with confidence, clarity, and joy. Process with colleagues and become a grassroots leader in your school.
Paid Membership & Free Weekly Coaching Newsletter
Speaking
Book Ruth
Bring me to your school or conference for authentic, hope-filled professional learning that equips and inspires educators to lead lasting change. I’ll make sure your people leave better equipped and ready to lead.
Keynotes, Workshops, and Group Coaching Available
Lead with clarity. Influence with confidence. Grow with joy.
When you join The Lead Learners, you’ll rediscover why you started this work. You’ll have a network of peers who understand your challenges, a framework that brings focus to your week, and support that keeps burnout at bay.
Here are some of the incredible benefits our members have enjoyed.
Think Tanks
If you are craving professional connections and want to build strategic leaderships skills, then our Think Tanks are the place to be! Meeting four times in a school year, you’ll build your skills and confidence in leading change while connecting with other educators who are passionate about transforming school culture.
”Ruth’s witty humor makes professional development a joy. She’s worked with all levels of students as a teacher and could relate to everyone. Our staff members loved her sessions and have requested she come back again soon.
AmySuperintendent
Refresh Retreats
Our seasonal retreats bring together members from across the U.S. for a joyful day of learning, connection, and renewal. Led by national educators, these retreats allow space for instructional influencers to pause and think deeply about the way they will inspire and influence change. Participants end the day with clear goals and a strategic plans for joyful change in their schools.
”Ruth Ayres is everything you want in a coach: she knows when to push, she can tell when you need lifted up, she asks the right questions, and, most importantly, she cares tremendously. Ms. Ayres will help you become as good of a teacher as you desire to be.
ColbyTeacher
Monthly Live Q&As
We all have questions, but often there’s no one else in our same position…so who do we ask? Other times, the situation feels complicated, and we’d like to talk through possibilities with someone outside of the situation. Each month we collect questions, and then answer them in a live Q&A. Live Q&As are recorded and posted until the next month’s session.
”Coaching is a tough but rewarding job. The Lead Learners gives me the confidence I need to keep showing up and the camaraderie of others. The ideas come along at just at the right time when I need a boost. The Lead Learners is my lifeline!
JenInstructional Coach
Join the community and start leading with joy!
Core Community
$ 0
Free Community MembershipAccess to free community only
Occasional live learning events
Weekly email insights
Think Tank & Mentoring
Leadership Development
Choice Literacy
Connected CoachesBest Value
$ 960
per year, or $495 for 6 monthsFull community + access to exclusive VIP spacesAccess to all live events (in person & virtual)
Weekly insight emails + exclusive event announcements
Members-only Think Tank and mentorship opportunities
Opportunities to lead sessions and collaborate with peers
FREE membership to Choice Literacy ($99 value)
Additional resources
New Book Coming 2026
Connection First: Navigating Tricky Behaviors with Compassion
Ruth’s upcoming book helps educators move beyond discipline toward understanding with compassionate, practical tools for teachers who want to reach every child. Drawing from research and real classroom stories, Ruth shows how connection—not control—fosters trust, emotional regulation, and lasting learning.
Preorders available soon
Podcast
Sticky Hope
Together we can make a world where all children grow mentally fit and cognitively strong. But what about the days when we feel totally disheartened? Ruth’s podcast offers the tools, resources, and straightforward conversations to remind you that hope can stick, even in the toughest situations.
Book
Enticing Hard-to-Reach Writers
A blend of Ruth’s personal and professional insights, this book shows how writing can help children heal and grow. Drawing on her experiences as a teacher and adoptive mother, she offers strategies for helping students uncover their own stories of strength. Through research and reflection, Ayres shows how storytelling can transform classrooms—and lives.
Book
Celebrating Writers: From Possibilities Through Publication
Celebrating Writers invites teachers to honor every stage of the writing process — not just the final draft. Ruth Ayres and Christi Overman share creative, joyful ways to celebrate student growth, helping writers stay motivated, reflective, and confident throughout their journey.
Book
Day by Day: Refining Writing Workshop Through 180 Days of Reflective Practice
Have you ever wanted your own personal writing coach to help improve your teaching of writing? How about two personal writing coaches? In Day by Day, Ruth Ayres and Stacey Shubitz guide you through the trials and tribulations of a whole year of writing workshop, providing daily encouragement and practical strategies that meet the needs of all the different writers in your classroom.