Our Projects
Curious about who we've worked with and what we've done? Here is a sample of some of the organizations that have partnered with us and the types of projects we've engaged in together. If you're looking to reach out to any of them for reference, we are happy to provide you with contact information.
Coach to Lead has been a trusted partner to the Shaker Hts. City Schools for several years providing executive leadership coaching to all principals and numerous district administrators. We have also facilitated leadership and team development, tailoring our approach to meet the evolving needs of the district.
Our work has included designing and leading retreats for the superintendent’s team, district departments, and building leadership teams, fostering collaboration, strategic alignment, and capacity building. Guided by the district’s core commitments to equity and excellence, we have intentionally integrated these principles into every aspect of our coaching and development efforts, ensuring they remain central to the district’s progress and impact.
For over a decade, Coach to Lead has played a pivotal role in shaping the future of Upper Arlington Schools, leading the design of three strategic plans that have guided the district’s continuous growth and innovation. Most recently, we facilitated the development of the 2030 UA Strategic Plan, engaging over 5,000 stakeholders through a holistic inquiry process that harnessed the power of community voice. View this video to learn more about the process used in UA.
Beyond strategic planning, our work has extended to designing community engagement series, redesigning the teacher leadership model, and providing executive coaching for school and district leaders. We have also supported process improvement across departments and led team initiatives for district staff and leadership teams, ensuring alignment, efficiency, and a culture of continuous learning.
Fairfax County Schools, the 10th largest district in the nation, engaged with us to design a comprehensive, systemic, turnaround approach to improve the performance of its 22 lowest-performing elementary and middle schools. Our strategy resulted in all schools making accreditation gains and 17 achieving full accreditation within 2 years.
The Learning Rounds process served as the cornerstone of this turnaround effort, fostering a culture of shared learning and instructional improvement. In tandem, we provided turnaround leadership learning for regional superintendents and their teams, ensuring alignment between district support and school-level transformation. We also led culturally responsive and instructional leadership development for principals and their leadership teams, equipping them with the tools to drive equitable, student-centered improvement. Additionally, principal coaching was a key component, strengthening the internal capacity of school leaders to sustain and scale instructional change beyond the duration of direct support.
For nine years, Lubbock ISD partnered with Coach to Lead to strengthen instructional practices and elevate instructional leadership across the district. Central to this work was the system-wide implementation of Learning Rounds, paired with the development of internal facilitators to sustain and expand this approach.
In addition to embedding Learning Rounds, we supported facilitative leadership development, equipping district leaders with skills in systems thinking and Critical Friends Team processes and protocols. This long-term collaboration impacted more than 50 schools, sharpened district-wide instructional focus, and contributed to measurable improvements in student outcomes.
For over a decade, we have partnered with Westerville’s secondary schools to provide executive coaching and leadership development for district and school leaders, as well as school counselors. Our work has focused on culturally responsive, instructional, and facilitative leadership, equipping educators with the skills to foster inclusive, student-centered learning environments.
As part of this long-term partnership, we led the study and redesign of the district’s middle schools, guiding stakeholders through a thoughtful and research-driven transformation process. More recently, we have spent several years implementing non-evaluative Learning Rounds, fostering a culture of shared professional learning and instructional improvement. Building on this foundation, we are now leading the implementation of peer observations through Focus Walks, empowering teachers to learn from each other aligned with each school’s specific priorities for student learning.
Coach to Lead facilitated the strategic planning process for Chagrin Falls Schools, resulting in a future-focused plan that is authentically owned by the staff, students, and community. This customized process engaged the board, students, staff, and community members in genuine inquiry and meaningful learning to shape a shared vision for the district’s future. As part of this work, we supported the redesign of the district’s vision, mission, and values, guided rebranding, and led strategic communications to ensure clarity, alignment, and transparency throughout the process. View this video to learn more about the strategic planning process.
To complement strategic planning, we also provided executive coaching and leadership retreats for administrators and teacher leaders, equipping them with the skills, perspectives, and strategies needed to lead with confidence and clarity. By integrating leadership development with long-term planning, we helped Chagrin Falls Schools build both the vision and the capacity to sustain meaningful progress for their students.
Coach to Lead has partnered with the district leadership team to provide targeted development focused on leading for equity, ensuring that leadership practices align with the district’s commitment to inclusive and student-centered education. Through executive leadership coaching, we have supported team development, fostering stronger collaboration and strategic alignment among district leaders.
To maximize impact, we have also facilitated strategy sessions designed to customize learning experiences, ensuring that professional development remains relevant, actionable, and directly tied to the district’s goals. By integrating equity-driven leadership with strategic coaching, we have helped district leaders build a shared vision, deepen their capacity, and sustain meaningful progress.
We designed and facilitated a turnaround approach for multiple large, comprehensive high schools in the Tulsa Public Schools, integrating Learning Rounds, the development of teacher leaders as facilitators, school and district leadership coaching, team development, data management and analysis, and the capacity-building of school-based transformation coaches. This systemic process focused on improving instructional practices, strengthening collaborative learning structures, and fostering sustainable school improvement to increase student performance.
Beyond the high school turnaround work, we also led principal leadership development for all principals K-12 over several years, equipping them with the skills and strategies to drive instructional leadership and systemic change. Additionally, we built the capacity of hundreds of teachers as facilitators of Critical Friends Teams, strengthening vertical and horizontal professional collaboration. To further support instructional improvement and leadership growth, we designed and implemented customized summer academies for teachers and administrators.
Note: A portion of some projects was completed by Dr. Denise Snowden prior to the formation of Coach to Lead.
Ray Lonnett, Principal
Fairfax County Public Schools (VA)
“Our school met accreditation thanks in large part to our work with Denise."