Creating Leadership for Change
Our Approach
CES specializes in working with school and district leaders; and brings deep perspectives, practices, and understanding to the issues around responding to the multiple identities and concerns of students, staff, and the communities in which you work. We offer knowledge of the role of leadership in change management, and deep understanding of the programmatic and instructional implications of growth model and other student achievement data. We work to support strong school and district leadership that makes optimal use of communication and collaboration for mutual trust and accountability.
Experience
CES brings extensive experience with strategic planning, leadership development and training, and instructional coaching. Our partnership at the department, school, and district levels has supported educators toward deeper understanding and practical strategies for educating learners who are traditionally underserved, such as learners with disabilities, learners in poverty, learners living with trauma and atypical social-emotional needs, and culturally and linguistically diverse learners. We support educators in their efforts toward inclusivity in their policies and practices for the development of the whole child. When we support teachers and other educators to strengthen their practice, we partner with administrative and teacher leaders to promote a sustained effort beyond the consultation period.
Services
Coaching and Mentoring
Customized coaching and mentoring programs for district and building leaders, instructional coaches, teacher leaders, and teachers, on:
- Responding to diverse learners
- Designing for rigor
- Building academic language
- Student-centered instructional models
- Equity and inclusion applied to particular problems of practice
Legal Training for School Administrators: Student Discipline, Staff Discipline, and Employement Matters
Minimize the impact to your district of PRS and OCR complaints by ensuring that your administrators are trained in the laws and regulations which control the student and/or staff discipline process. This in-depth on-site training will explore legislative and regulatory provisions governing public school systems at the local, state, and national levels. Led by Todd Gazda, Ed.D., JD, Executive Director of the Collaborative for Educational Services this training takes place on-site in your district, and offers real-world case scenarios to help your adminstrative team apply their knowledge.
Curriculum Development
CES provides a range of curriculum and instructional support services to support teaching and learning in virtual and face-to-face environments.
We partner with educators, school and district teams in regular public schools, charter schools, and private schools to resolve problems of practice and support school leaders, teachers and other educators to strengthen practice and optimize learners’ academic outcomes and social-emotional wellbeing.
Professional Development for Administrators
Customized professional development for leaders, including:
- Culturally responsive practice
- Student and staff discipline and and responding to challenging behavior
- Addressing polarization in schools
- Training staff to implement the new IEP process
- Trauma-engaged schools and practice
- Social-emotional learning for adults and young people
Strategic Planning
Strategic planning, at the:
- District level
- School level
- Department level
- Grade level
- Program level
Program Evaluation
We offer program evaluation for new and existing programs, to strengthen design, instruction, and administrator and teacher leadership. By listening to educators and schools, we form customized multidisciplinary teams—including content experts, and our Joy and Justice facilitators—to meet district and community needs. Collaboration and thoughtful inclusion are key to our process, and we are experienced in effectively presenting complex and nuanced findings in situations that involve conflicting perspectives.
Examples of Past Projects
The Principals’ Leadership Academy
The Principals’ Leadership Academy (PLA) in SY22/23, supported multiple district leaders. Dr. Johnson-Mussad teamed up with two other leadership coaches to provide professional development and year-long regular coaching sessions with district principals.
Professional Development, Technical Assistance, and Coaching
Supporting the Chelsea Public Schools’ three middle schools’ leaders, teachers and instructional coaches.
The Belchertown Public Schools Strategic Planning Project
Working with the Belchertown Public Schools leadership team to facilitate the development of a multi-year strategic plan and related year 1 action plans.
Leadership Consulting Team
Angela Burke, M.Ed.
Position: Director of Professional Services
Email: aburke@collaborative.org
Todd Gazda
Position: Executive Director
Email: tgazda@collaborative.org
Phone: 413.588.5901
Albert Johnson-Mussad Ph.D.
Position: Leadership and Instruction Continuous Improvement Specialist
Email: ajohnsonmussad@collaborative.org
Phone: (413) 200-8294