OUR TEAM

Intentional Coaching: Transforming Educators, Elevating Impact

At CQA Next, we believe that great teaching is cultivated through intentional, intensive coaching—not left to chance. Our residency model is built on the foundation that aspiring educators thrive when they receive expert mentorship, structured feedback, and hands-on experience in real classrooms.

Through sustained, high-impact coaching, our Clinical Coaches do more than observe. They co-develop instructional strategies, model best practices, and empower residents to refine their craft every single day. Our residents benefit from individualized mentorship that accelerates their professional growth and ensures they are fully prepared to lead their own classrooms.

This deep investment in teacher development extends beyond coaching. As adjunct faculty, our Clinical Coaches bridge the gap between theory and practice, ensuring residents receive a rigorous academic foundation while mastering the real-world skills necessary for classroom success.

By prioritizing equity, innovation, and sustainable teacher development, CQA Next is not just preparing teachers—we’re shaping the future of education. Through intentional coaching, we are building a diverse, homegrown educator workforce that is deeply connected to our students, our community, and the long-term success of our schools.

Krista Jahn, Residency DIRECTOR

Krista Jahn is an accomplished education leader with over 20 years of experience in teaching, leading, curriculum development, policy, and strategic planning. Currently serving as the Residency Director of CQA Next, Krista is dedicated to fostering learning environments where every child has equitable access to high-quality instruction and transformative educational experiences.

Krista began her career as a literacy specialist and NYCDOE general education teacher in East Harlem after earning her B.A. in Sociology and Education from Barnard College. She went on to teach in New York City public schools for 10 years, before becoming a Program Manager at ExpandED Schools where she supported community school start up models in New York City, Baltimore, and New Orleans. After her work at ExpandED Schools, Krista served as Senior Director of Early Childhood Instruction at Explore Schools in Brooklyn, where she led the vision for the K–2 academic program by focusing on holistic professional development, data responsive instruction, and fostering student-centered, inclusive classrooms. Most recently, she was the Senior Director of Literacy at Rocketship Public Schools, overseeing their academic programs for literacy, multilingual learners, and social emotional learning.

Krista holds an M.S.Ed. in Literacy Development and Instruction from Bank Street College of Education and an M.A. in Educational Leadership with a specialization in policy and advocacy from New York University. She lives in Brooklyn with her family.

Nikki Khosla, Residency Coach

Nikki Khosla brings over two decades of experience in education, beginning her career as a Teach For America corps member. She has held a wide range of roles including teacher, academic dean, dean of culture, special education coordinator, principal, and charter network leader at KIPP and Achievement First Greenfield. As a national education consultant, she has supported school turnarounds, coached school leaders, and helped schools strengthen their literacy and SEL programs. She is the founder of Neuraware, a program focused on educating and supporting students struggling with tech addiction, developed through grants she received from 4.0 Schools. Nikki has also taught Expository Writing 101 to undergraduates at Rutgers University and served as an adjunct instructor at Pace University’s Graduate School of Education. She holds a BA from Rutgers University, an MA in Education from Pace, and is currently pursuing her MSW.

Louisa Nathan, Residency Coach

Louisa Nathan is a teacher and instructional coach who has worked in the education field for over 15 years.  She started her career as an early elementary teacher in her hometown of Washington, DC.  Once she realized her passion for teaching, she moved to New York City to pursue a master’s degree in Childhood Special and General Education from The Bank Street College of Education.  With a new understanding of neurodevelopmental differences, she began working as a special educator in an ICT classroom in the Bronx where she focused on meeting students where they were by developing individualized plans that maximized students' strengths and addressed areas of growth.  During this time, she discovered a love of math through her work with a math instructional coach, and decided to pursue this further as a middle school math teacher in Queens and by attending Mount Holyoke graduate school for a degree in the Art of Math Instruction.  She then transitioned into a math coach and facilitator role at Bank Street Education Center, supporting teachers in middle and high schools.  

Louisa is excited to combine her experiences and knowledge in her new role as an instructional coach with CQA Next.  She is eager to work with new teachers and share her passion relearning math through conceptual understanding.  In her free time, Louisa enjoys spending time with her family in Sunnyside, Queens.