About the Schlechty CenterLEAD THE CHARGE IN LEARNING ... It's time to join us. It's time to lead the charge.Schlechty CenterSC_1de3bfd0-42f3-11eb-b502-4cf61c83ea00The Schlechty Center is a private, non-profit organization committed to partnering with education leaders who are interested in nurturing a culture of engagement in their organizations, with the ultimate goal of increasing profound learning for students. We also bring change-makers together in collaborative networks in order to provide support to them as they undertake the hard work of transforming their classrooms, schools, and school districts. While many organizations are focused on measuring engagement, we are focused on the "how" of designing work—work that not only engages students in learning but also invigorates staff and gets teachers excited about teaching. That's the sweet spot. And that's at the heart of everything we do. Dr. Phillip C. SchlechtyIt began with one man and became a movement. Our founder, Dr. Phillip C. Schlechty, was a leader, a leader who faced the challenges of public education head on. For decades, he fought in the trenches with educators working to save public education. More than thirty years ago, Phil launched the Schlechty Center to transform learning experiences. The Schlechty Center allowed him to scale and amplify the impact of his efforts by defining a philosophy and frameworks that change-makers everywhere could adopt and use to impact their own communities. Schlechty Center senior associates continue to shape those frameworks by learning with and from clients across the country.Change-MakersChange-makers, unite!Education LeadersStudentsSchlechty Center TeamWe're here to inspire and support you. Be it in person, online, or on the phone, we are always here to help you lead the charge in learning. Steve McCammonDR. STEVE McCAMMON is president and CEO of the Schlechty Center, leading a team of professionals to stay focused on the core values and beliefs of the organization. In this capacity, Steve works closely with staff, network districts and schools, school boards, and educational partnerships to inspire organizations to think anew and to engage in the kinds of continuous innovation required to survive and thrive in our constantly changing environment. As an experienced superintendent, Steve understands what it means to be a moral and intellectual leader in a learning organization. He joined the Center in 2013 after serving for 12 years as superintendent of schools in the Fife School District in Tacoma, Washington. Fife was the first district on the west coast and one of the leading districts in the nation to participate in the Standard-Bearer School District Network, a signature Center initiative. Prior to becoming superintendent, Steve served as principal at Fife High School. He has extensive experience working in a variety of schools and districts. He was a Florida Teacher of the Year in 1992 while he was teaching in Union County, Florida. His experience also includes working as a senior associate at the Florida Department of Education in the Office of School Improvement, providing technical assistance to low-performing schools and school districts across the state. In Steve’s early days at the Center, he worked closely with Dr. Phillip Schlechty in an effort to expand the Center’s presence in Ohio, where Phil was born and attended school. While he did not live to see it, Phil’s vision for Ohio school district networks is being realized under Steve’s leadership. Steve and his wife Jill live in Louisville. (E-mail: smccammon@schlechtycenter.org)George ThompsonGEORGE G. THOMPSON is the former president and current director of strategic initiatives for the Schlechty Center. He joined the Center in 1995, serving as senior associate and vice president prior to being appointed president in 2000. Over the course of his career with the Center, George worked closely with Phillip Schlechty in the development and implementation of signature Center initiatives such as the Superintendents Leadership Network and the Standard-Bearer School District Network. In addition to supporting clients in the field, George has played a key role in the development of Schlechty Center frameworks and intellectual resources. He joined the Center after having served 19 years in Gwinnett County Public Schools in Georgia; this district is one of the largest high-growth school districts in the nation. Prior to serving as superintendent from 1990–1994, he was administrative assistant to the superintendent, high school principal, and elementary school principal. Before moving to Gwinnett, George was a teacher and community school director in Atlanta Public Schools. George is committed to ensuring that the core concepts of engagement, transformation, and transformative leadership that define the work of the Schlechty Center are widely embraced. His current efforts are focused on developing strategic alliances with those entities committed to enhancing student benefit. George and his wife Brig live in Atlanta. (E-mail: gthompson@schlechtycenter.org)Nicole BiggNICOLE BIGG serves as the Schlechty Center’s director of technology and communications. She administers the Center’s website, e-mail, and e-commerce functions, and evaluates and purchases software and hardware for the company. As a member of the Schlechty Center team since 1999, Nicole is integral in designing, codifying, and managing the Center’s brand and intellectual property—materials and resources, online courses, conferences and academies, and presentations. She leads and executes the organization’s communications strategy and serves as technical assistance and internal communications advisor to staff, partnership organizations, and clients. (E-mail: nbigg@schlechtycenter.org)Kat CrawfordKAT CRAWFORD is the executive director of digital innovation for the Schlechty Center. She supports the design of technology innovation, the transformation of school systems (specifically addressing the needs of alternative schools), and facilitates professional learning for teachers who strive to cultivate engaging work. She brings with her a creative zest, which she applies to her educational technology expertise and certifications. All of her work is driven by her core belief that all students deserve a high-quality education. Prior to joining the Schlechty Center, Kat served as the director of technology solutions for The Center for Educational Excellence in Alternative Settings. While there, she transformed schools inside secure spaces nationwide through curriculum initiatives, technology innovative grants, and special statewide projects. Kat is honored to join this team of passionate educators and continue this incredible work centered around engagement. (E-mail: kcrawford@schlechtycenter.org)John HornDeanna HowardDEANNA HOWARD leads educators in developing a vision around providing students with engaging work. As a senior associate, she coaches and guides educators through the design of engaging learning experiences, develops others as coaches for educators in their districts and schools, and leads District and School Design Teams to transform into engagement-focused learning organizations. In partnership with schools and districts across the country, her focus is to develop the capacity of others to design engaging experiences for students and lead them to success in that work so that they learn at profound levels. Deanna’s role as a classroom teacher and co-chair of her school’s Design Team provided her a foundation for fostering her understanding and application of Schlechty Center frameworks so that other educators are positioned to realize their vision. (E-mail: dhoward@schlechtycenter.org)Sandy JenkinsSANDY JENKINS has a wealth of experience in the area of education and school transformation. At the Schlechty Center, she designs and facilitates learning experiences for classroom teachers, district-level administrators, and School and District Design Teams. Sandy serves as the lead designer for the Center’s conferences and academies, including the Working on the Work Conference. Before joining the Schlechty Center, she taught many grade levels and content areas where she implemented and modeled the Schlechty Center frameworks. Using her knowledge and skills, Sandy later worked with districts and schools across Ohio, leveraging the Schlechty Center frameworks on engagement and design, to make continuous and sustained improvement. She has presented at various state and national conferences as a speaker and facilitator. (E-mail: sjenkins@schlechtycenter.org)Tena LutzTENA LUTZ is a skilled professional conference manager, ensuring that the Schlechty Center’s major engagements are of top quality. She uses her expertise in travel arrangements and accommodations to plan all Schlechty Center events, from selecting sites and planning menus to awarding participants’ incentives. Tena’s prior work included 15 years with the Jefferson County Public Schools in Kentucky, primarily in the area of personnel. (E-mail: tlutz@schlechtycenter.org)Nancy Rindone-DoughneyDR. NANCY RINDONE-DOUGHNEY brings to the Schlechty Center 47 years of working in and with public schools. Nancy’s passion lies in the design of learning experiences and the development of resources around engagement, design, and systems change. Over the last 15 years with the Center, Nancy has facilitated and supported the work of many districts in Texas who are committed to student engagement and transformational change. She has also been a co-developer and facilitator of the Schlechty Center Strategic Change Agenda. Prior to her work with the Schlechty Center, Nancy fulfilled a variety of roles in public education, including teacher, counselor, and director of professional learning. (E-mail: nrd@schlechtycenter.org)Annissa RolandDR. ANNISSA ROLAND brings a broad set of educational experiences to the Schlechty Center in designing powerful professional learning opportunities for all stakeholders. Formerly, Annissa was a multi-age elementary school teacher in the Des Moines Public Schools in Iowa. As a teacher, she formed a partnership with Iowa State University to design math and science courses and conferences for her colleagues. As a former childcare director, Annissa designed and facilitated parent and staff development; additionally, she collaborated with regional and state-level administrators and legislators to craft policy and professional development for the field of early childhood education. In the Savannah-Chatham County Public School System in Georgia, Annissa served as an elementary teacher, high school academic coach, district professional learning training specialist, and facilitator of PK–16 initiatives. For the Schlechty Center, Annissa designs and facilitates sessions to build district capacity, focus on engagement, and ensure equity. (E-mail: aroland@schlechtycenter.org)Shanna RuckerSHANNA RUCKER is the Schlechty Center’s controller and brings a variety of experiences to the Center in the area of public accounting, business account management, taxation knowledge, and auditing skills. In this capacity, she generates and provides financial information to the Center’s leadership team and board, compiles and analyzes account information, and supports associates in developing and customizing proposals to meet the needs and interests of districts, schools, school boards, and other partner organizations. Prior to joining the Schlechty Center in 1999, Shanna was a public accountant with Deming, Malone, Livesay, & Ostroff CPAs, specializing in taxation and auditing. She received a Master of Business Administration with course emphasis on nonprofit administration from Missouri State University in 2019. Shanna is a member of the American Institute of CPAs, Kentucky Society of Certified Public Accountants, and the Kentucky Nonprofit Network. (E-mail: srucker@schlechtycenter.org)Darlene SettlesDARLENE SETTLES joined the Schlechty Center in 1995 and currently serves as production manager for the Schlechty Center. In this capacity, she works directly with Schlechty Center leaders and associates, providing overall coordination, design, and production of materials and resources for onsite consultation, conferences, and academies, as well as the Center’s various national and virtual networks. Darlene’s historical perspective and institutional knowledge of the Schlechty Center enhances the ability of the organization to maintain direction, act strategically, and focus on the future. (E-mail: dsettles@schlechtycenter.org) Monica SolomonMONICA SOLOMON brings a wealth of experience to the Schlechty Center in working with states, districts, and schools in the areas of educational policy, public affairs, teacher and parent engagement, and district and school transformation. At the Schlechty Center, she supports and enhances the capacity of districts, schools, unions, and other nonprofit organizations to launch and sustain transformation efforts through the development and refinement of tools, resources, and materials that center around the Schlechty Center’s frameworks and core business. Before joining the Schlechty Center, Monica served as managing director of state and district services for New American Schools. Her district experience includes serving as director of public affairs for Cincinnati Public Schools in Ohio, where she was a member of the superintendent’s cabinet. She has been a keynote speaker at national conferences and forums and has worked as a consultant for educational organizations throughout the country. (E-mail: msolomon@schlechtycenter.org)Profound learning_1de3c0e8-42f3-11eb-b502-4cf61c83ea00To nurture a culture of engagement in educational organizations_1de3c1d8-42f3-11eb-b502-4cf61c83ea00EducationPartnershipCultureEngagementCollaborationLearningNetworksProvide access to resources and support from peers_1de3c26e-42f3-11eb-b502-4cf61c83ea001Superintendents Leadership NetworkStandard-Bearer School District NetworkNetwork for Alternative SchoolsWe offer networks, vibrant learning communities that give participants access to our premium resources as well as support from peers who are leading the charge to transform their schools and school districts. Our national signature networks are the Superintendents Leadership Network, the Standard-Bearer School District Network, and the Network for Alternative Schools. We also offer regional networks in various locations throughout the country, including Ohio, Georgia, Texas, and California. TransformationTransform schools and school districts_1de3c304-42f3-11eb-b502-4cf61c83ea001.1SuperintendentsSchoolsSchool DistrictsPartnershipsEstablish national strategic partnerships._f68b8304-42fd-11eb-8dea-891b1f83ea002John Tanner’s bravEdPenda LearningProfessional Association of Georgia Educators (PAGE)Educational Service Center of Northeast OhioAmerican Federation of Teachers (AFT)We establish national strategic partnerships. The Schlechty Center has several partnerships with organizations across the country, including John Tanner’s bravEd, Penda Learning, the Professional Association of Georgia Educators (PAGE), the Educational Service Center of Northeast Ohio, and the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), all who share a common mission to support engagement-focused schools and classrooms. EngagementSupport engagement-focused support engagement-focused schools and classrooms_f68b8516-42fd-11eb-8dea-891b1f83ea002.1SchoolsClassroom TeachersProfessional LearningCustomize professional learning experiences._f68b867e-42fd-11eb-8dea-891b1f83ea003School DistrictsSchool StaffWe customize professional learning experiences. Each school and classroom is as unique as the community it serves. Our work with school districts and staff includes custom consultation, coaching, and facilitation to address issues particular to the district, but always with a focus on engaging students and staff. The Schlechty Center’s range of tools, resources, and materials focus attention on redesigning systems, developing leaders, building capacity, and designing experiences. Professional learning experiences can be co-designed with district and school leaders and are offered onsite, online, or in conference and academy settings.SystemsRedesign systems_f68b8840-42fd-11eb-8dea-891b1f83ea003.1LeadersDevelop leaders_f68b898a-42fd-11eb-8dea-891b1f83ea003.2LeadersCapacityBuild capacity_f68b8af2-42fd-11eb-8dea-891b1f83ea003.3ExperiencesDesign experiences_f68b8c6e-42fd-11eb-8dea-891b1f83ea003.4Coaching & ConsultationProvide leadership coaching._f68b8dd6-42fd-11eb-8dea-891b1f83ea004LeadersWe specialize in leadership coaching._f68b8f2a-42fd-11eb-8dea-891b1f83ea002020-12-20https://www.schlechtycenter.org/#overviewOwenAmburOwen.Ambur@verizon.net