Learning-Centered Leadership

Coaching for Leaders Who Drive Learning at Every Level.

“The most powerful form of professional development occurs when educators engage in coaching that challenges their thinking, strengthens their practice, and aligns their work to student needs.”
— Elena Aguilar, author of The Art of Coaching
A young girl in a classroom raising her hand with other students in the background

Leadership Coaching that Cultivates a Culture of Learning for All.

This coaching model follows intentional cycles—starting with the end in mind: your goals for student, staff, and self-directed learning.

We begin by clarifying your school’s vision and setting focused priorities, then co-plan the specific leadership moves and knowledge needed to support meaningful change. After implementation, we gather feedback from staff and engage in reflective, judgment-free debrief conversations to assess your impact, refine strategies, and determine next steps.

With data as our compass, each cycle strengthens your capacity to lead with clarity, purpose, and an instructional lens—ensuring that student success remains anchored in adult learning and your own growth as a leader.

The Mini-Cycle

Short-Term Support with Long-Term Impact

  • The Mini Cycle is a focused, high-impact coaching series designed for school and district leaders who are ready to engage in rapid-cycle improvement. This package includes 3–4 one-hour coaching sessions spaced strategically over 4–6 weeks, offering both momentum and reflection as leaders apply new practices in real time.

    • Session 1: Goal-Setting + Vision Alignment
      Clarify student success goals and identify key leadership moves.

    • Session 2: Co-Planning for Impact
      Collaboratively plan messaging, meetings, or instructional practices tied to the goal.

    • Session 3: Feedback & Debrief
      Review implementation outcomes, staff feedback, and data indicators.

    • (Optional) Session 4: Strategic Next Steps
      Refine leadership strategies and outline next actions based on learning.

  • The Mini Coaching Cycle offers focused, high-leverage support to help you:

    • Clarify your student success goals and align your leadership around them

    • Co-plan key leadership actions that drive instructional improvement

    • Review outcomes and gather staff feedback to assess real-time impact

    • Identify next steps to maintain strategic momentum and lead with confidence

    Even a short cycle can lead to meaningful shifts in how you lead, support staff, and accelerate student learning.

  • The Mini Coaching Cycle offers focused support for a specific leadership goal or initiative.
    Includes: 3–4 sessions over 4–6 weeks
    Price: $750

    Bundle & Save:

    • Add to an MTSS Implementation Review for integrated, data-driven coaching

    • Pair with MTSS Leadership Academy for extended learning + support

    A powerful, time-efficient way to gain clarity, take action, and lead with purpose.

The Full Cycle

From Insight to Implementation—in Just 12 Weeks

  • The Full Coaching Cycle is a comprehensive, personalized leadership support package that provides 4–6 one-hour sessions across 8–12 weeks. This package is designed for school or district leaders ready to engage in deep, sustained work to align leadership practice with improved student outcomes and systemic change.

    • Session 1: Strategic Goal-Setting + Alignment
      Establish clear, measurable student-centered goals grounded in your site or district priorities.

    • Session 2: Leadership Moves + Mindset Shift
      Identify the leadership behaviors and belief shifts needed to move adult practice and improve culture.

    • Session 3: Co-Planning for Implementation
      Collaboratively develop plans for meetings, messaging, and/or instructional leadership moves.

    • Session 4: Feedback + Real-Time Reflection
      Debrief staff feedback and early data signals with a focus on adapting strategy while maintaining alignment.

    • Session 5: System Check + Troubleshooting
      Analyze implementation fidelity, troubleshoot barriers, and adjust supports.

    • Session 6: Strategic Reflection + Next Steps
      Reflect on the full cycle, assess leadership growth, and map out next priorities with a sustainability lens.

  • The Yearlong Coaching Cycle offers sustained, high-impact leadership support designed to embed change over time. With 10–12 sessions across the academic year, you’ll build momentum, monitor progress, and refine systems as you lead.

    You will:

    • Set long-term goals and align your leadership vision to systemwide priorities

    • Engage in monthly coaching for real-time problem-solving and strategic guidance

    • Monitor progress and fidelity to ensure consistent implementation

    • Build in regular reflection and planning to adapt, sustain, and scale what works

    This cycle is ideal for leaders driving complex change who want to stay grounded, supported, and focused throughout the year.

  • The Full Coaching Cycle provides sustained, personalized support to help you lead strategically, shift practice, and drive systems-level change.
    Includes: 4–6 sessions over 8–12 weeks
    Price: $1,500

    Bundle & Save:

    • Add to an MTSS Implementation Review for aligned coaching tied to system data

    • Pair with the MTSS Leadership Academy to deepen learning and accelerate implementation

    A comprehensive, purpose-driven experience for leaders ready to align vision, action, and outcomes.

The Yearlong Cycle

Coaching That Builds Capacity, Coherence, and Results

  • The Year-Long Coaching Cycle is a leadership partnership designed for sustained growth, deep systems change, and student-centered transformation. Across 10–12 sessions over the course of the academic year, leaders engage in a full cycle of goal setting, implementation, reflection, and strategic recalibration—ensuring leadership moves align with the outcomes students deserve.

    • Initial Planning + Goal Setting Retreat
      Launch with a 90-minute strategy session to clarify priorities, review data, and align on vision.

    • Monthly 1:1 Coaching Sessions (10–12 total)
      Focused on leadership behaviors, implementation plans, and responsive problem-solving.

    • Co-Planning + Document Review
      Collaborative preparation for key meetings, messaging, and communication to staff and families.

    • Fidelity Checks + Progress Monitoring
      Mid-year and end-of-year data reviews with reflection on implementation strength and impact.

    • Embedded Reflection Cycles
      Use staff feedback, walkthrough data, and leader self-assessment to refine leadership moves.

    • End-of-Year Strategic Planning Session
      Analyze lessons learned, celebrate wins, and plan forward with a sustainability lens.

  • The Full Coaching Cycle offers deeper, sustained support for leaders ready to align their daily actions with long-term goals for student success and systems improvement. Over the course of 4–6 sessions, you’ll have the space and structure to lead with clarity, strategy, and purpose.

    You will:

    • Align leadership actions to strategic goals that drive meaningful outcomes

    • Shift mindset and leadership behaviors to support lasting, systemic change

    • Co-plan for implementation with a focus on coherence and impact

    • Engage in reflection and problem-solving to refine practice and sustain momentum

    This cycle is ideal for leaders who are ready to move beyond short-term fixes and lead lasting change with intention and integrity.

  • The Yearlong Coaching Cycle provides ongoing, strategic leadership support across the school year—ideal for leaders committed to long-term systems change and continuous improvement.
    Includes: 10–12 sessions over the academic year
    Price: $3,250

    Bundle & Save:

    • Add to an MTSS Implementation Review to ensure yearlong coaching aligns with systemwide findings

    • Pair with the MTSS Leadership Academy for layered learning and leadership development

    A powerful yearlong partnership for leaders ready to embed change, monitor impact, and build lasting coherence across their systems.

A smiling woman with shoulder-length brown hair and gold hoop earrings, wearing a black top, outdoors in front of a building with a glass door and greenery reflected in the background.

Dr. Joan Schumann is a nationally recognized educator, researcher, and systems-level leader with over 20 years of experience in both public and private education. As a former principal, district administrator, and MTSS systems-change leader, Joan brings a rare blend of educational research to her experience as a school and district leader.

She has successfully led MTSS implementation across elementary and secondary settings, redesigned intervention systems, and transformed outcomes in areas such as attendance, special education, and family engagement. Passionate about equity, clarity, and sustainability, Joan empowers leaders to build systems that not only work—but last.

Meet Your Coach

Joan Schumann, PhD

What Trusted Colleagues Say About Joan

  • Smiling woman with brown hair, wearing a pink and floral patterned shirt, resting her chin on her hand, posing against a plain white background.

    "Joan is one of the most upbeat, intelligent school leaders with whom I've had the privilege to work. A true values-driven leader, unafraid to make hard decisions, she is also incredibly productive and results-oriented without sacrificing a strong focus on relationships, which has made her a beloved and respected leader. "

    Bridget McNamer, Leadership Coach

  • A smiling woman with long brown hair wearing a white sleeveless top with blue polka dots, standing outdoors against a white wall.

    “Joan's warmth, energy, enthusiasm, and passion is contagious. She is one of those rare leaders who has the technical skill to lead K-12 systems efficiently but also the adaptive leadership to deliver results.”

    Dr. Amanda VanDerHeyden, Founder of SpringMath and Educational Researcher

  • Close-up of a smiling middle-aged man with short, light brown hair, wearing a dark top, against a plain white background.

    "At the heart of her mission was always a fundamental duty of care for our students...I miss her, but am grateful for the lasting contributions she has made."

    Paul Swanson, Director of Innovation and Technology

  • A woman with curly brown hair and glasses smiling outdoors, with a chain-link fence, trees, and blue sky with clouds in the background.

    “Joan is a transformational, innovative leader. Her instructional leadership leads to improved student outcomes and her boundless energy is contagious."

    Mele Benz, Former Principal and Technical Assistance Provider

  • A smiling woman with long dark hair, wearing a white and orange patterned top, standing in front of a blue wall.

    “I am but one of many who have grown in their skillset by working with [Joan]. I am forever grateful for what she has done for the children in our school as well for myself professionally.”

    Ms. Shawna Diamond, Special Education Teacher, Instructional Coach and Administrator

  • Black and white headshot of a smiling man with dark hair, wearing a suit and tie.

    “Joan has the ability to quickly identify challenges, develop solutions and build teams and systems to get things done. She possesses a high degree of integrity, a notable work ethic, and a great sense of humor.”

    Steven Dexter, School Principal

Got Questions?