How a Texas Teacher Leader Is Using Technology to Extend His Reach

Somerset High School, part of Somerset Independent School District in Texas, wanted to ensure every teacher received clear, consistent feedback that led to growth. For more than a decade, the school has partnered with NIET to strengthen instructional practices and build leadership capacity through on-site training and coaching.

As part of this ongoing partnership, Executive Master Teacher and Inaugural NIET Fellow William Mock, who has led multiple Algebra 1 teams to district success, used EE PASS - NIET’s online platform for educator development - to reinforce and extend that work.

EE PASS helped Somerset administrators and teacher leaders build a deep, comprehensive, and consistent understanding of what effective teaching looks like. The common language they developed drove teacher growth and gains in student achievement.

Mock’s primary challenge was ensuring alignment among administrators and teacher leaders in how they observed instruction and supported teachers. While his team shared a common vision, it was often discussed in theory rather than demonstrated through practice. Mock needed a way to bring that theory to life and to create actionable next steps for teachers.

NIET’s coaching hub, the Educator Effectiveness Preparation and Support System (EE PASS), was a powerful tool for making effective instruction visible. For example, one area for growth identified by the leadership team was how teachers presented instructional content. Mock used the Presenting Instructional Content Learning Module and found it to be an extremely valuable resource for planning teacher collaborative learning “Cluster” meetings and coaching conversations. The module includes video clips of practice and clear actions to guide teachers in making content clear and engaging for students.

Additionally, Mock and his leadership team used EE PASS data reports to analyze observations and discuss how to deliver high-quality, actionable feedback for teachers. As a result, Somerset teachers were more receptive and eager to discuss actionable steps because the feedback was clearly rooted in evidence.

EE PASS transformed our post-conferences from a ‘gotcha’ moment into a coaching cycle grounded in evidence. It built confidence, clarity, and collective ownership of instructional improvement.

William Mock, Executive Master Teacher and Inaugural NIET Fellow, Somerset High School

This work demonstrates that when schools build strong, coherent systems of support, empower teacher leaders, and leverage technology to extend their reach, they create new and powerful opportunities to strengthen instruction and advance teacher growth.

Somerset High School’s Results:

Located southwest of San Antonio, Somerset High School serves a predominantly Hispanic student population and has built a long-standing reputation for creating systems that support both teachers and students. The school has partnered with NIET to strengthen instructional practice, invest in teacher leadership, and build structures that increase student achievement year after year. Somerset’s commitment to continuous improvement has earned national recognition, including NIET’s Founder’s Award and a $50,000 grand prize, an honor reserved for schools that demonstrate exceptional growth in educator effectiveness and student performance.

Student gains: This focus on evidence-based coaching and a comprehensive system of support translated directly into student success. Somerset High School achieved a 97% state exam pass rate, with 93% of students meeting growth targets, demonstrating the impact of clear expectations and consistent instructional support.

Explore a Free EE PASS Resource:

This is the learning module Mock used to strengthen alignment and clarity during coaching and teacher team meetings:

Module - Presenting Instructional Content Learning: This self-paced module on the Presenting Instructional Content rubric indicator helps educators deepen their understanding of what strong instruction looks like in practice. Participants explore real classroom examples, reflect on key elements of effective teaching, and learn the specific teacher actions that make content clear and engaging for students.

Bring EE PASS to Your District

Learn more about how NIET partners like Somerset ISD are using EE PASS to extend their coaching and professional learning. Contact info@niet.org to explore how the platform can strengthen your existing NIET work and accelerate teacher and student growth.