Leadership Innovations Team

What Educators are Saying About Leadership Programs

[Regarding New Leader Mentor Training] The concept of creating extraordinary leaders through the coaching process is one of the most exciting ideas I've experienced in over 32 years of education. I believe this coaching process has that potential. Taking new leaders and supporting them through coaching may be the most impactful work we've undertaken.
—Dana Jacobs, Mentor and Retired Principal, Portland Public Schools

This coaching model teaches strategies that help the coach empower the person they are coaching to be reflective about their own practice in a non-judgmental way. The strategies are just good ways to help anyone in your life move forward, see ways to solve a problem, or put steps into place to reach a goal.
—Mary Crouse, Mentor and Retired Administrator, Portland Public Schools

Extraordinary Leaders is one of the best models I have seen to help leaders become more effective. The model is based on research and focused on improving an individual’s strengths. This approach just makes sense. I left the workshop with a better picture of my own leadership abilities, and a plan for building on my strengths.

One of the ‘ah ha’ moments of the day was the module that focused on peak performance and extraordinary achievement. It gave me a better understanding of the link between a leader’s competence and passion to the needs of the organization. I’m now working to reach the “leadership sweet spot”.

Thank you so much for allowing me to participate. My ‘day off’ was definitely well spent!
—Tita Mallory, Curriculum Director, Aberdeen School District

The Extraordinary Leadership Workshop is the single most important class I have taken in my 30 plus years in education. I now have a clear, objective look at my strengths and how to continually improve them rather than a deficit model of improvement. This is much more than a leadership survey. Class materials give specific, research based guidelines to continue growth. This course is the "how-to guide" for leading your organization from Good to Great!
—Jean Lane, Deputy Superintendent, Richland School District

The [Extraordinary Leader] training was extremely beneficial. I am utilizing information from my survey comments to help better meet the needs of the teachers I work with!
—Kimberly Bunch, 4-6 Math Coach, Monument Elementary

I have found that since I asked my secretary to complete the Extraordinary Leader Survey, our relationship has changed significantly. She felt valued that I asked her to give me feedback in order to improve.

We are both working together on self-improvement now and doing our own book studies on ways to improve our work. It has helped to improve trust and a cohesive and collaborative work environment for us. —Dr. Shelley Redinger, Executive Director of Teaching & Learning, Richland School District

Extraordinary Leader has a tremendous impact on our organization. I highly recommend Extraordinary Leader to any organization that wants to get to the next level of performance. —Pete Lewis, Superintendent, Clarkston School District

I expect the Extraordinary Leadership Institute to be very helpful to me. I appreciate data, and the materials gave me a clear understanding of how the 16 aspects define leadership potential while the 360 gave me some objective data about myself.

Now I have a clear target for personal improvement. I already knew I was an introvert but didn’t realize to what extent that could undermine leadership potential. I came home with a personal goal of consciously building relationships—and have a self-improvement plan well underway.

Thanks for the very valuable day. I came away feeling hopeful and motivated.
—Darlene Hilderbrand, Quincy High School

The [Extraordinary Leadership] workshop was very valuable. Even though I am not an administrator, I am a leader in my building. I was able to pinpoint the best area to work on and make an action plan to get started. It has affected how I present myself. I have a better understanding of how I am perceived and what I need to do to positively affect the perception/reality.

—Christie Murren, Quincy School District

What Educators are Saying About Coaching Services

Heather Knight has been instrumental in my professional development. I have moved from a feeling of scattered puzzlement to one of assured competence and productivity. I had the skills, but it took you to bring them out of the maze of "stuff" they were covered by and help me recognize how to put them to work.

When I first began my coaching relationship with Heather, I was fairly new in my job as curriculum, instruction, assessment specialist for a small school district. I felt unorganized and needed direction. Heather helped me clarify the needs of my district and my role in providing for those needs. I am now seeing the positive results of a productive, clearly focused plan of action.

I am now able to facilitate groups toward a common purpose and successful completion of defined tasks.

—Sue Hall, Leadership Coaching Client

Heather Knight [LITe Coach] has not only worked with our team, but I've had the opportunity to work with her one-on-one. She's more than a "business coach"; she’s truly a "life coach". When I'm in need of a solution or new strategies, Heather is just a phone call away. She returns my calls or emails promptly and takes the time to help me overcome obstacles that I face.

Working with Heather has given me many great insights and has made a profound difference in my understanding how true collaborative groups function. She has provided methods and most importantly, research-based literature for us all to strengthen these understandings... It’s a marvelous thing when one can put theory into practice. It gives me the hope and strength to continue my efforts to open the doors of our classrooms and improve student learning. Their success is our success.
—Kacey Uptegraft, Science Teacher / Instructional Coach, Bremerton High School

[Regarding Heather Knight, LITe Coach]I am so thankful for the opportunity to be able to work with you and learn from you. I have really appreciated your questioning ability which helped me reflect on my own work with teachers. In addition, your work with our teachers has led to tremendous improvements.

I have also received numerous positive responses from teachers with regards to your work. Teachers also stated that the value is not necessarily in observing good teaching but in the discussions that you lead after the observations. Staff members have reflected on their work with you as a “growing experience” that assisted them in formation of collegial support plans. They appreciate the non-threatening approach to helping them develop and grow as professionals.
—Iva Scott, Assistant Principal, Bremerton High School

My experience with Heather [LITe Coach] was a wonderful learning opportunity. She provided me the opportunity to improve my classroom skills and my belief in myself. She was knowledgeable, supportive and a joy to work with.
—Jim Berg, Bremerton High School

What Educators are Saying About the Coach Institute

In over 20 years of being in education as a teacher and Administrator, the Coach Institute is the most empowering, invigorating and informative training that I have personally participated in.

It enables you to look deeply into your own personal practices of teaching and learning while using comprehensive research based findings on effective teaching strategies as the guidelines. It further allows you to understand why and where resistance to change comes from and how to overcome that obstacle.

I came away with a better understanding of facilitating discussions regarding teaching and learning by keeping the priority of "effective learning practices" in the classroom as the focal point.
—Russ Waterman, Assistant Principal, Eastmont High School

When we started, we did not have a common language to talk about instruction, or a tool to foster that common language. We now have a focus when looking at and talking about instruction.

We now have these in place, and see the importance of them in Professional Learning Communities, where they are looking at data and now have a way to talk about instruction. Another key piece has been the training of administrators and teacher leaders in coaching skills.
—Jean Lane, Superintendent, Richmond Public Schools

In my professional career I have attended countless trainings, workshops, and in-services to help improve my practice as an educator. Later, as an elementary principal, I looked for ways to help the teachers on my staff improve their practice, specifically instruction. Unfortunately, my experiences always seemed to fall short of what I needed.

Luckily, I have had the awesome opportunity to attend the Coach Training Institute. I honestly feel like I have just been thrown a “life line”. It is so exciting to actually be a part of a training that specifically and intentionally offer research based information and strategies that “get at the heart” of instruction.

As a retired principal and now a School Improvement Facilitator for the State of Washington, I have had the pleasure of sitting shoulder to shoulder with classroom teachers (elementary and secondary) central office staff and administrator during the training. Together we began to capture the essence of exactly what is needed to truly affect student learning through effective instruction.

Finally, a gift to teachers! The people who work hard, love students and are committed to making a difference. —Kathi Christensen, Retired Administrator/School Improvement Facilitator

The Coach Training Institute deepened my understanding of powerful teaching and learning - a boon for my own teaching - and helped me develop stronger communication skills. I have already coached a few sessions, and I felt confident of my preparation. I would strongly recommend the coaching institute to teachers and administrators who wish to transform education. —Steve Bovingdon, Teacher, Chelan High School

What Business Professionals Have to Say

As a Coach to Women, I found The Extraordinary Leader Workshop to be insightful as it directs individuals to focus on their strengths. Vital information for any leader moving forward.
— Joy Chudacoff, Certified Professional Coach