Do I truly understand my students’ greatest challenges and unmet needs?

administrators,
what keeps you
up at night?

Are my teachers getting the support they need to better serve students?

How do I respond to parent concerns with clarity, care, and confidence?

Solutions

Don Smith Consulting works with schools and education leaders to strengthen school culture, sharpen instructional practice, and cultivate sustainable leadership. He delivers multi-day workshops tailored for students, teachers, leaders, and parents - covering topics from designing a curriculum scope and sequence for advisory programs to practical classroom management strategies.

Professional Development for Educators

Practical, high-impact professional learning that strengthens instructional practice, leadership, and school culture.

Workshops for Parents & Caregivers

Engaging workshops that help families partner with schools and support young people with clarity and confidence.

Equity Work & Practice Consulting for Educators

Thoughtful, actionable equity consulting that helps teams turn values into consistent, sustainable practice.

Popular Topics

A non-exhaustive list of past projects and workshops. Areas of focus are generated from initial consultation, and workshops are tailored to the specific needs of the institution.

Understanding the Mind of Middle Schoolers

An exploration of psychosocial development unique to early adolescence and why this period feels so turbulent for students. Common struggles from self-regulation, social anxiety, and shifting motivation will be discussed and practical tools will be offered to participants to create responsive classrooms, strengthen relationships and promote resilience during this critical stage.

Middle School Poetry: Inspiring Young Minds to Explore Their Stories Creatively

Introduces students to key poetic elements - rhyme scheme, meter, enjambment, and more - through playful, hands-on mini lessons. Students will have the opportunity to draft and refine their own poems, utilizing the techniques they’ve learned and be inspired by a mentor text created “on the spot” to model craft, voice and revision. Each student will have the chance to read their poem aloud, practicing performance skills and celebrating their work.

For School Teachers

How to Build a Multicultural Scope and Sequence
Creating Multicultural Goals for Faculty Members
How to Have Courageous & Difficult Conversations Across Difference
Decoding Our Isms: Unveiling the Human Behavior Informing Our Biases

For School Leaders

Leadership 101: Dos and Don’ts for New Leaders
Transitioning From Teacher to Leader: How to Create Healthy Boundaries
Leading From the Middle: Navigating being in the middle of lower and upper school

For Students

Understanding the Mind of Middle Schoolers
Middle School Poetry: Inspiring Young Minds to Explore Their Stories Creatively
Classroom Management Techniques, Tools, and Activities to Engage Middle School Boys
Parenting Middle School Students: What Do I Need to Know as a Parent to Best Support Growth and Development

Let's Work Together!

Don Smith partners with schools and education leaders to build stronger culture, sharpen instructional practice, and support leadership that lasts. If you’re looking for a thoughtful facilitator who can meet your community where it is and move it forward, let’s connect!

administrators, what keeps you up at night?