Professional Development
Speaking Engagements
“Charlene Cutler and Verna Felder deliver dynamic, strategy-driven presentations designed for leaders committed to academic excellence, equity, and sustainable school transformation.”
Available For
Our team is ready to engage with your district, network, or organization in a variety of capacities suited to your specific needs.
National & Regional Education Conferences
Superintendent & District Leadership Summits
Charter School Network Conventions
School Improvement Institutes
Professional Development Days
Administrative Retreats
Leadership Workshops
Family & Community Engagement Forums
Equity & Culture Transformation Workshops
Equity & Culture Transformation Workshops
McKinney-Vento & Student Support Trainings
Nonprofit & Community Organization Conferences
Education Policy Panels & Roundtables
Keynote Addresses & Breakout Sessions
Academic Leadership & School Transformation Services
Charlene Cutler
Culture Architect & Presenter
With over two decades of experience in urban education reform, Charlene specializes in turning data into actionable instructional strategies that close gaps.
From Data to Daily Practice
Turning Assessment Alignment into Accelerated Achievement
Many schools collect data. Few translate it into daily instructional action. This professional development equips school leaders and instructional teams to build aligned assessment systems that drive rigorous teaching and measurable student growth.
Focus Areas:
- Aligning curriculum, standards, and assessments
- Creating actionable data cycles
- Building teacher capacity to respond to data in real time
- Monitoring academic growth at scale
Outcomes
- Clear assessment-to-instruction alignment plan
- Structured data meeting protocol
- School-wide growth tracking system
- Strategies to close achievement gaps
Ideal Audience:
Principals, Assistant Principals, Academic Deans, Instructional Coaches
Format Options:
Half-Day | Full-Day | 3-Part Leadership Series
Instructional Systems That Scale
High achievement is not accidental — it is engineered. This session guides leaders in designing instructional systems that produce consistent, measurable results across classrooms and grade levels.
Focus Areas:
- Designing rigorous instructional frameworks
- Creating accountability structures that elevate teaching
- Coaching leaders to monitor instructional quality
- Ensuring system-wide consistency
Outcomes
- Customized instructional leadership roadmap
- Walkthrough and feedback protocols
- Accountability and monitoring structure
- Sustainability plan for long-term growth
Ideal Audience:
School Leadership Teams | Charter Networks | District Leadership
Format Options:
Full-Day Training | Executive Leadership Retreat | Ongoing Coaching Partnership
Closing Achievement Gaps Through Strategic Design
Moving from Intention to Implementation
Closing achievement gaps requires more than equity statements — it requires intentional instructional design and strong leadership execution. This session equips leaders with practical strategies to drive equitable academic outcomes.
Focus Areas:
- Identifying root causes of performance gaps
- Using data to target instructional interventions
- Building teacher ownership of student growth
- Monitoring progress with precision
Outcomes
- Equity-centered academic improvement plan
- Intervention alignment framework
- Measurable growth benchmarks
- Accountability dashboard template
Ideal Audience:
Urban school leaders | Network Directors | District Academic Teams
Format Options:
Half-Day | Full-Day | Multi-Session Implementation Series
Human-Centered Leadership Meets Academic Rigor
Academic rigor and school culture are not separate initiatives — they are interdependent. This immersive professional development helps leaders strengthen relational trust while maintaining high expectations and measurable performance outcomes.
Focus Areas:
- Building trust-based leadership systems
- Understanding external barriers that impact learning
- Aligning culture with academic expectations
- Leading with accountability and empathy
Outcomes
- School climate action plan
- Leadership reflection and strategy tools
- Integrated culture + achievement framework
- Stronger staff alignment and student engagement
Ideal Audience:
Principals | Assistant Principals | Instructional Leaders | PD Conference Attendees
Format Options:
Conference Keynote | Interactive Workshop | Full-Day Immersive Training
Climate & Culture Professional Learning Services
Leading with Cultural Intelligence
Academic success begins with understanding the students and communities we serve. Many schools collect data, but true transformation happens when educators apply cultural intelligence to interpret that data through the lens of student identity, lived experience, and belonging. This professional development equips school leaders and instructional teams to build culturally responsive practices that strengthen relationships, increase student engagement, and create learning environments where every student feels seen, valued, and capable of achieving at high levels. By aligning cultural competence with instructional strategy, schools can improve climate, increase motivation, and drive measurable academic growth.
Focus Areas:
- Understanding the demographics and cultural dynamics of your school community
- De-escalation strategies for challenging parent interactions
- Building trust across cultural and socioeconomic differences
- Maintaining professionalism under pressure
Outcomes
- Practical conflict-resolution strategies
- Improved parent-school communication
- Increased staff confidence in high-stakes situations
- Stronger climate and relational trust
Ideal Audience:
School Leaders | Front Office Staff | Teachers | Support Personnel
The Service Agenda™
Student achievement accelerates when families are recognized as essential partners in the learning process. The Service Agenda™ equips school leaders with culturally responsive strategies to move beyond traditional parent involvement and build authentic, trust-based partnerships that strengthen student outcomes. This session guides leaders in designing family engagement systems that honor the voices, experiences, and strengths of the communities they serve, resulting in improved school climate, increased student accountability, and measurable academic growth. When families feel respected, informed, and empowered, students are more engaged, motivated, and positioned for long-term success.
Focus Areas:
- Designing parent events that drive academic outcomes
- Creating systems that increase authentic family participation
- Leveraging partnerships to expand student support services
- Aligning engagement strategies to school improvement goals
Outcomes
- Year-long engagement roadmap
- Family engagement event planning framework
- Partnership development strategy
- Increased parent participation and student support
Ideal Audience:
Principals | Family Engagement Teams | Community Liaisons | Nonprofit Partners
McKinney-Vento Compliance & Compassion
Compliance with McKinney-Vento is not just a legal responsibility — it is a commitment to protecting the dignity, stability, and academic future of students experiencing housing insecurity. This session equips school leaders and staff with culturally responsive, trauma-informed strategies to identify students in transition, remove barriers to enrollment and attendance, and provide the wraparound support necessary for academic continuity. Led by Verna Felder’s frontline experience working directly with families, this training helps educators build compassionate systems that prioritize stability, strengthen school connectedness, and ensure that students experiencing homelessness remain engaged, supported, and positioned for academic success.
Focus Areas:
- McKinney-Vento identification and eligibility guidelines
- Documentation and compliance protocols
- Removing barriers to enrollment and attendance
- Coordinating wraparound services
Outcomes
- Clear identification and reporting procedures
- Compliance checklist and documentation tools
- Student support referral system
- Stronger wraparound partnerships
Ideal Audience:
Administrators | School Social Workers | Homeless Liaisons | Enrollment Teams
The Culture Shift™
Building a Trust-Based School Environment Rooted in Service Excellence
School culture does not improve by accident — it improves by design. This session helps leaders transform school climate through intentional service standards, relationship-building systems, and a commitment to student-centered excellence.
Focus Areas:
- Building trust-based leadership systems
- Aligning staff behavior to culture expectations
- Building systems that reinforce positive school climate
- Embedding trust into daily operations
Outcomes
- School climate action plan
- Customer service framework for schools
- Staff accountability alignment tools
- Improved stakeholder satisfaction and retention
Ideal Audience:
School Leadership Teams | Front Office Staff | District Operations Teams
Verna Felder
Culture Architect & Presenter
Verna is an expert in organizational culture and restorative practices. She helps districts build environments where students feel safe to learn and staff feel empowered to lead.
Can You Survive Poverty? The Game
An immersive simulation that challenges educators to navigate the complex realities faced by families living in poverty. Build empathy, understanding, and actionable support strategies.
