Keith Young Instructional Coach, Trainer, Author
Keith Young is an education coach, trainer, and writer whose passion and expertise have shaped the landscape of educational leadership. Born and raised in the Alabama foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, Keith's journey is as diverse and enriching as his professional one. His early experiences in humble beginnings instilled in him a deep understanding of the transformative power of education.
Keith's instructional skills were honed by teaching secondary students for the U.S. government in Germany. This international exposure broadened his teaching horizon and ignited a lifelong passion for educational leadership and reform. From here, Keith's career trajectory took him through various roles as a district and school administrator in Arizona, Colorado, Puerto Rico, and Virginia. In these positions, he became known for his exceptional ability to turn around schools and significantly improve student outcomes, often in challenging environments.
At AKYConsulting, he channels decades of experience into empowering educators and leaders, reforming teaching methods, and developing innovative learning strategies. His practical approach and blended coaching model have significantly impacted both domestically and internationally. Now, Keith calls the lively coast of South Carolina his home, where he combines the tranquility of coastal life with the vibrancy of his ongoing mission. Keith and his husband, Marcio, spend a great deal of time doting on several of their parcel of 22 nephews and one niece.
But Keith is more than just his professional accolades. His journey is a testament to the power of resilience, adaptability, and the relentless pursuit of growth. This personal narrative, combined with his professional expertise, makes Keith an authority in his field and a relatable and inspiring figure.
Connect with Keith, and you connect with a story of educational transformation, a tale of crossing continents and cultures, all to enrich the world of education. Join him on this journey and be part of the change, reshaping the future of learning and teaching.
Offering
With AKYConsulting, Keith partners with experienced educational leaders to provide training and coaching in:
Administrator & Teacher Leadership: Enhance your leadership skills with our personalized training programs, followed by on-site modeling and coaching. As a former principal, Keith provides hands-on demonstrations and works in more than 1,000 classrooms annually throughout the US and abroad.
Equitable Instruction: Dive into basic and advanced instructional skills championing anti-racist and inclusive practices. During Keith's district leadership, Department of Defense students led the nation on the NAEP writing assessment, and African-American students ranked first in the US among all African-American students.
Instructional Leadership Teams: Elevate your team's effectiveness in leading curriculum and instruction. Several teams trained by AKYC maintain a strong track record of improved writing and reading outcomes.
Student-focused Coaching: Our extremely popular live modeling and training programs for instructional coaching are designed to refine teacher-coaching techniques. Opportunities for coaching training fill up quickly each year; reach out now to secure your professional development.
Books & Publications
The Instructional Coaching Handbook (2023): Co-authored with Angie Julien and Tamarra Osborne, this guidebook is a treasure trove of over 200 problem-solving strategies for instructional coaches and principals. Delve into chapters dedicated to crucial skills like Efficacy, Equity, and Academic Instruction. Purchase your copy on ASCD or Amazon.
Training Design, Delivery, & Diplomacy: This practical guide, co-authored with Tamarra Osborne, is a must-have for trainers seeking to design and deliver impactful professional training. It receives high praise for those building train-the-trainer initiatives and is available for purchase on ASCD and Amazon.
The Teaching Strategy Handbook (2026): Keith's newest book, co-authored with Angie Julien, Tamarra Osborne, and Judith Mendoza-Jimenez, delivers 200+ solutions for common classroom challenges, from student engagement and classroom management to learning gaps and teacher burnout. Strategies in every chapter are organized for immediate, routine, and long-term use. Purchase your copy on ASCD or Amazon.
Confident Classroom Management Moves - QuickWins! (2025): Keith's strategy cards put quick, confident classroom management moves in every teacher's hands. Available from ASCD.
Articles: Keith writes extensively about leadership, appearing in both Kappan and Educational Leadership magazines. Don't miss his latest insightful article in the October 2023 edition of EL magazine, "The Fundamentals of Fast Feedback." His latest article, 3 Essential Feedback Categories for Inspiring Educator Growth, written with Judith Mendoza-Jimenez, appears in the February 2025 issue of The Learning Professional.
Podcasts
Hear Keith talk coaching and classroom practice on Principal Center Radio, Connecting Coaches Cognition (C3), Home Where You Belong, and the Champions for NorCal Kids podcast.
Connect
Ready to transform your educational practice? Seeking to enhance leadership and coaching in your school? Contact Keith Young at AKYConsulting for a partnership that promises change.
Email: hello@akyconsulting.com
Phone: 480-287-1044
Embark on a journey of educational excellence with AKYConsulting where we don't just train, we transform.
Follow Along
Facebook: A. Keith Young -- Author
Instagram: @AKYConsulting
LinkedIn: AKeithYoung
Quarterly Newsletter: sign up at hello@akyconsulting.com
Current & Former Partners
Arizona Department of Education, Phoenix, AZ
Baptist Church Mission School, Faridpur, Bangladesh
Department of Defense Education Activity, Alexandria, VA
First 5, San Francisco, CA
Frankfurt International School, Frankfurt, Germany
Illinois State Board of Education, Springfield, IL
Los Angeles Unified School District, Los Angeles, CA
McGraw Hill, New York, NY
Mesa Public Schools, Mesa, AZ
Monterey County Office of Education, Salinas, CA
Nogales Unified School District, Nogales, AZ
Norfolk Public Schools, Norfolk, VA
Peoria Unified School District, Peoria, AZ
Sacramento County Office of Education, Sacramento, CA
Shonto Preparatory School District, Shonto, AZ
South Bay Union School District, Imperial Beach, CA
Troy Community Consolidated School District, Plainfield, IL
Valley View Community Unit School District, Romeoville, IL
Ventura County Office of Education, Ventura, CA
WestEd Center for Child and Family Studies, Camarillo, CA
WestEd Comprehensive School Assistance Program, Sacramento, CA
Windward District, Kaneohe, HI
Shape the Future of Education
At AKYConsulting, we believe in a future where every educational leader is empowered, every teacher is inspired, and every student thrives. Our mission is to provide the tools, knowledge, and support to realize this vision. Whether you're an aspiring school leader, a seasoned administrator, or a dedicated instructional coach, our services and resources are tailored to meet your unique needs.
With a legacy of success and innovation, Keith Young and the AKYConsulting team are your partners in crafting a brighter educational future. Reach out today to discuss how we can collaborate to elevate your educational environment. Together, we can achieve remarkable transformations in teaching and learning.
Transforming Education, One Leader at a Time
Empower educators. Reform teaching and learning. Shape the future with AKYConsulting.
