bridging research and practice for stronger schools
Leadership Coaching
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Change Management
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School Improvement
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Improvement Science
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Cultural Responsiveness
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Communities of Practice
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Leadership Coaching ✳︎ Change Management ✳︎ School Improvement ✳︎ Improvement Science ✳︎ Cultural Responsiveness ✳︎ Communities of Practice ✳︎
America's schools don't have a knowledge problem.
They have an access problem.
Thousands of experienced practitioner-scholars have already studied—and often solved—many of the challenges schools face today. Yet there is no simple way for principals, district leaders, and superintendents to find the people behind that work.
We believe education research shouldn't end up in a digital library. It should improve schools.
Every year, educators earn doctoral degrees, conduct meaningful research, and develop practical solutions to challenges facing schools. Too often, that knowledge remains buried in dissertations, conference presentations, or academic journals instead of reaching the principals, district leaders, and teachers who could put it into practice.
As schools navigate increasing accountability with fewer external supports, the Practice Partners Collective connects education leaders with experienced practitioner-scholars who provide trusted guidance, practical expertise, and proven ideas address our greatest challenges in education.
We connect school leaders with the expertise they need
Experienced practitioner-scholars who understand today's schools
Practical, research-informed solutions grounded in real-world experience
Coaching, consulting, and professional learning tailored to local needs
Measurable improvement aligned with district priorities and accountability goals
Moreover, we believe every practitioner-scholar deserves a professional home.
Beyond the dissertation, many practitioner-scholars lack a professional home—a safe harbor where they can explore ideas together, encourage one another, form collaborations, and bring meaningful work into the world.
The Practice Partners Collective is being created to become that home. We're not creating a consulting group. We're creating a community of practitioner-scholars committed to improving education. Consulting is simply one way that our work reaches the people who need it most.
In this 18-minute conversation, Lead Education Partner, Kris DeFilipis, and Director of Strategy and Member Success, Gretchen Martens, share why we’re creating the Collective, who it's for, and what members can expect. Below the video, you'll find everything you need to explore whether the Collective is the right fit for you.
Founding Member enrollment closes September 30, 2026.
Your Journey Begins Here
As a Founding Member, you're joining at the beginning—not after everything has been decided.
We've created this website preview to help you envision what the Practice Partners Collective will become. After the founding cohort is established, members will have the opportunity to help shape important elements of the Collective—its visual identity; positioning; long-term vision, mission, and values; and core activities. Your ideas will be welcomed and supported.
The resources below will help you decide whether this community is the right fit for you.
Learn more
Explore the sample Meet the Collective page.
View a sample Member Profile page.
Watch additional short videos on our YouTube channel.
Listen to audio-only files on our Learn More Page.
Become a Founding Member
Ready to join us?
Download the Founding Member Prospectus
Complete the Founding Member Commitment Form by September 30, 2026.
To ensure meaningful collaboration and the opportunity for every member to help shape the Collective, the Founding Cohort is limited to 25 practitioner-scholars.
Stewardship was never meant to be a solo activity. A home becomes a home only when enough people choose to build it together. The Practice Partners Collective will launch only if a minimum of 10 practitioner-scholars commit by Friday, August 14, 2026. We believe 10 members represents the critical mass needed to create the vibrant, collaborative community we envision.
Have questions?
Schedule a 30-minute conversation with Gretchen to explore the Collective and determine whether becoming a Founding Member is the right fit for you.