Looking for a consultant and coach who understands small schools and provides tailored support for leadership and governance? You found me!

Meet Brooke


As a former head of a small school and a board member who has served many schools and nonprofits, I understand the joys and challenges you face as you lead and govern your small school. I’ve been in those late-night, early morning, and weekend meetings; I’ve greeted elementary students in the carpool line; I’ve spent hours wordsmithing strategic plans; I’ve served as a board member, board secretary, and board chair, - and I loved almost all of it!

Now, as I approach an empty nest (my two children are about to launch!!), I have the time and energy to give back to other small school leaders and fulfill my passion for supporting the work that you do by providing strategies and solutions that enable you to thrive.

I fell in love with small schools in 2007...

when I became the head of school at Seneca Academy in Maryland, an early childhood and elementary school of about 150 students. That small school positively impacted the lives of SO MANY children and families- including my own; I was grateful to watch as my 2 children flourished there. My background in educational psychology (I earned my Ph.D. at the University of Minnesota), along with my experiences in a variety of educational settings helped me start Acies Strategies, a consulting and coaching business focused on supporting and strengthening small school leadership and governance. Through this work, I am able to use what I have learned as a head of school and board member to engage with, learn from, and offer help to smart, dedicated, and extremely hardworking heads of school and board members of small schools around the world.

I hold a Certificate of Nonprofit Board Consulting from BoardSource® and completed ​Standards for Excellence® Consultant training.

I currently serve on a school board and a national nonprofit board.

My Guiding Principles

 

 

EVERYONE HAS EXPERIENCES TO SHARE: I honor the skills, experience, and knowledge of those with whom we work.​

 

 

HONESTY IS THE BEST POLICY: I am honest with my beliefs, opinions and in expressing the limits of my abilities.

 

 

CLEAR COMMUNICATION IMPROVES RELATIONSHIPS: I strive to communicate clearly, effectively, and completely with each person.

 

 

EQUITY, INCLUSION, ACCESS, AND BELONGING ARE BASIC RIGHTS: Everyone should feel that their voices are heard, their experiences are honored, and their gifts and strengths are recognized.

 

 

WE SHOULD LEARN SOMETHING EVERY DAY: We learn from each other, clients, scholarly writing and research- and sometimes even social media!

 

 

BALANCE IS CRUCIAL: We are most effective in work, relationships, and creativity when we feel balanced in life.

 

Focus

Governance


Orienting, Training, & Assessing Board Chairs and Members

 

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Strategy

Establishing pathways forward

 

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Head Search & Support

Finding and Supporting the right leader

 

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