Working with Simply Great Schools was a game-changer for our schools. Their team, especially Riley and Doug, provided top-tier instructional coaching that truly helped us build a culture of achievement. The materials and resources were high-quality, incredibly user-friendly, and easy to implement. Their support made a significant impact, and I would highly recommend them to any district looking to transform its instructional culture and drive meaningful change.

SGS was the leadership and development tool I'd been searching for since becoming an administrator. I always found it ironic that we give English teachers and Math teachers curriculum with tools, resources, and a road map, but that something similar for an instructional model for schools simply did not exist. Enter: Simply Great Schools! The Arc of the Year and its guiding principles, rubrics, coaching and meeting plans, and professional development sessions presents teachers and instructional leaders with a clear playbook to run for high-needs schools. 1st year teachers are thriving and 10 year vets are challenged and growing in ways they did not think possible. One teacher said "this is what I've been looking for since I finished my second year teaching." SGS is the most powerful and practical set of turn key tools and resources that I have ever encountered. Worth every penny. One added benefit that is likely not clearly listed in packages: participating in Doug and Riley's PD sessions as a learner provides access to two master facilitators who are modeling how to deliver excellent PD to adults. I have grown immensely in what I thought was an area of strength from simply taking notes on their facilitation style and moves.

Simply Great Schools has given us a framework for excellent instruction and school leadership that allows for us to hold a bar of excellence that our scholars and families deserve. Working with Doug and Riley has truly pushed our coaching practice, even we were uncomfortable, but it has ensured our growth as a team. the best thing about working with Simply Great Schools is that they have taken the time to learn our team and community to uplift the unique nature of the way that we do work, while giving us practices and supporting systems that will push us from good to great. We are truly grateful for the opportunity to partner and grow!

Simply Great Schools has been instrumental in helping our team bring our vision for teacher coaching to life. Through Doug and Riley’s training, their resources for Arc of the Year, and on-site coaching, our leaders have been able to foster a culture of feedback where teachers feel seen and supported in their growth. And it’s working—as a result, we are seeing stronger student outcomes!

Simply Great Schools has transformed how I see leadership. I use to be intimidated by the thought of live coaching, jumping in at the point of error and being on public display. After training with Doug and Riley, I am a fearless, more confident and impactful leader who is committed to doing what it takes to inspire and empower teams to work toward meaningful change. I AM A WOMAN TRANSFORMED!

Riley and Doug were invaluable to my transition into a new organization and new network level role. They provided the guidance, tools, and thought partnership that allowed us to refine our approach while maintaining coherence across all academic areas, while I was still learning the academic program. Their ability to integrate high-impact instructional practices, data-driven decision-making, and coaching structures helped us build, but mostly just refine systems that empower teachers and accelerate student learning. Their expertise provided the clarity, structure, and high-impact strategies needed to drive meaningful change. What sets Simply Great Schools apart is their unwavering focus on execution—turning vision into action. They don’t just offer professional development; they embed themselves in the work with us, ensuring that instructional shifts are not only understood but also sustained in classrooms. If you are looking for a partner who can help bring clarity, structure, and high-impact results to your academic vision, Simply Great Schools is the one. Their expertise has been invaluable to our growth, and I cannot recommend them highly enough.

As the Director of Human Resources & Talent for the Oconomowoc Area School District, and a former principal and district leader with LUMIN Schools in Milwaukee, I have seen firsthand the power of strong leadership in driving student and staff success. Simply Great Schools provided me with transformative leadership coaching that directly impacted student outcomes during my time at LUMIN Schools. Their guidance helped us implement data-driven instructional strategies that led to significant improvements in student achievement. Their professional development outline for school leaders provided us with a roadmap for intentionally navigating each season of the school year. Furthermore, Simply Great Schools equipped me with essential skills in coaching adults and leading critical conversations—skills that continue to shape my success in my current role. Their coaching gave me the confidence and strategies to navigate complex HR challenges, foster educator growth, attract and retain high-quality educators, and build a culture of continuous improvement. Simply Great Schools has been instrumental in my leadership journey, helping me drive meaningful change in the districts I have served.

Simply Great Schools has helped shift our focus from just classroom management to a stronger emphasis on academic rigor. In the past at HOPE, we assumed that a well-managed classroom meant effective learning was taking place. However, through our work with Simply Great Schools, we’ve realized that classroom management is just one piece of the puzzle. A strong classroom environment, combined with daily student feedback, is essential for success. As a result, our staff survey exceeded expectations, and student retention has improved. The frameworks provided by Simply Great Schools have also given our administrators clear guidance on what to prioritize in classrooms. One of the greatest benefits of working with Simply Great Schools is the expertise of Doug and Riley. Their years of experience have been instrumental in helping us reach the next level. They apply the same coaching structure with our leaders as we do with our teachers, fostering growth at all levels. Additionally, the walkthroughs with the coaches have sharpened our ability to identify key areas for improvement in the classroom.

Simply Great Schools has not only helped refine our vision for a great school, but having Doug see our progress over the past 2.5 school years and provide valuable feedback has been instrumental in our growth. We've seen improvements in test scores, teacher retention, and overall school culture. Personally, I’ve grown as a principal in directing my team with more clarity and confidence, ensuring we stay focused on our goals and continuous improvement.

Doug & Riley at Simply Great Schools have done a great job taking years of research and work from top charter management organizations and turning it into an inspiring program to drive change in Milwaukee. In particular, they provide a dynamic voice, vision, and implementation plan to ideas that often live inside books that sit on leaders' shelves (TLAC, Culturally Responsive Teaching and the Brain). Additionally, they can push leaders with a lot of love as they change mindsets in schools around the roles of teachers, coaches, school leaders, and coaching. On top of all of that, they have built and compiled powerful tools that networks can use on a daily basis to drive change on their campuses. Doug & Riley's in person PD has changed our school leaders' vision of what it means to "show up" in PD - no more sitting on your phone and flipping through PowerPoints - engagement, smiles, practice, rigor, and joy in all professional development.

My name is Brittany Greco and I'm the Elementary School Principal at Foundation Academy! Simply Great Schools helped me simplify what excellence looks like and supported the work we are doing to improve student outcomes. It gave me clarity on the coaching and development my deans and teachers need, making excellence feel attainable through the Arc of the Year. It also ensured alignment across our staff on expectations and how to achieve them. Simply Great Schools gave us the tools that we needed and the practice to put them into work. The best thing about working with Simply Great Schools was Riley! The knowledge, energy, and support were incredible. Having someone walk alongside me, truly invested in our kids, was inspiring.

Simply Great Schools has given me so much confidence as a school leader! As a result of their training, resources, and support our staff are all moving in the same direction towards culture and academic success. Riley and Doug have given us a vision of what excellence can look like, and the tools to get there!

As the Director of Operations for the Public Charter School Alliance of South Carolina, I had the privilege of working with Simply Great Schools at our 2024 SC Charter Schools Conference. Riley delivered an outstanding keynote presentation on the Mindsets of Great School Leaders and their Arc of the Year model to charter school leaders from across South Carolina. Riley has a remarkable ability to take complex and often overwhelming concepts and present them in a clear, accessible way. The school leaders walked away both inspired by the areas where they were already succeeding and motivated to grow in the areas where they knew improvement was needed. Riley provided them with exactly the right tools to foster that growth. We are excited to continue our partnership with Simply Great Schools and Riley in the future.

Tulsa Legacy Charter School is proud and honored to partner with Simply Great Schools! I am a firm believer in the power of their approach—simple yet profoundly impactful. SGS keeps the main thing the main thing, and that clarity has been transformative for our work. Through this partnership, we have become more strategic and focused in both teacher and leader development. It has helped us refine our priorities, build capacity, and gain hands-on experience in a way that is safe, joyful, and transferable. We have grown tremendously as an organization, and while there’s still more to accomplish, we are now on a trajectory that will propel us toward becoming a simply great school. Doug and Riley have been incredible—supportive, honest, and direct—while creating a safe, judgment-free space for growth. They have been flexible in understanding our organization’s needs and customizing their approach to help us improve. I deeply appreciate the investment they have made in our school and their commitment to truly knowing our community. Because of their care, dedication, and hands-on support of our leaders, I wholeheartedly believe Tulsa Legacy will be a stronger, better school.

My name is Zach Murray and I am the Dean of Instruction at HOPE Christian School: Fidelis. Words cannot describe how incredibly grateful I am for Riley and Doug! They have helped open doors for me and my school that I never imagined could be opened through coaching! They use simple and effective coaching strategies to make schools great (definitely the reason for their name)! As a coach, I have appreciated having specific coaching cycles where I only have to focus on one area at a time! It has helped train my eyes to be a more effective coach, and it has helped my teachers get stronger at the fundamental skills of teaching! Riley and Doug have clearly been successful leaders and are empowering other leaders across the nation to give each student the education that they deserve to reach their aspirations! I am forever grateful for them!

Working with Simply Great Schools was instrumental in changing how we coached and supported our teachers! Using their Arc of the Year, our instructional coaches improved their coaching and therefore our teachers grew faster than ever before!

Simply Great Schools provided the resources, structure, and support to help us improve the quality of our coaching and professional development, in turn improving foundational teacher skills. The professional learning experiences for leaders were high quality, engaging, and focused entirely on skill building. All resources were well organized, easy to navigate, and easy to turnkey for our schools. Doug and Riley have provided leaders within our network many, many "loving pushes" that have improved the student experiences and outcomes in our schools.

I have had the privilege of working with Simply Great Schools (SGS) in two different schools, and I can confidently say that their impact has been transformative. Their strategic approach to school leadership, data-driven insights, and hands-on coaching have 10x’d my efficiency as a leader and my ability to drive meaningful results for students and staff. SGS provides a level of clarity and structure that allows leaders to focus on what truly matters — student achievement and school culture. Their systems streamline decision-making, enhance accountability, and ensure that every initiative is aligned with the school's mission and goals. The support and expertise they bring have been invaluable in helping me build stronger teams, execute with precision, and sustain long-term success. Simply put, SGS is a game-changer for school leaders looking to maximize their impact. I highly recommend them to any educational leader seeking to elevate their school’s performance.

Working with Simply Great Schools has been a game-changer for me as an educator and coach. They have not only taught me how to simply be a coach but have also sharpened skills I already had but didn’t fully recognize. Their consistency in coaching and commitment to holding the bar high have empowered me to do the same within my school. At first, the process felt uncomfortable—stepping into a more structured and intentional coaching role can be challenging. But over time, it became second nature. The most rewarding part is seeing the immediate impact on both teachers and students. The changes they encourage are simple yet incredibly high-impact—things that often go unnoticed but make a significant difference. Simply Great Schools has helped me bring out the best in my educators, foster a culture of growth, and ultimately improve student outcomes. If you're looking for a coaching approach that is practical, sustainable, and deeply effective, I highly recommend them.

I came from a school that had very established structures around professional development and became administration at a school that did not. I did not truly understand what it took on the back end to fully build out those structures and protocols. I really appreciated working with Simply Great Schools because they’re PD was clear and engaging and they provided us with everything we needed to built those structures throughout the year: PDs, coaching agendas, meeting agendas, and more. I saw our school really start to develop clarity around classroom expectations and teacher preparation. On a personal note, I always felt better after meeting with Doug or Riley. They gave me clear action steps that made the work we do every day feel achievable.

It has been such a great experience partnering with Simply Great Schools this year! The materials Doug and Riley have created are real time-savers and allow us to spend our time focused on teacher coaching and curriculum implementation instead of creating these materials ourselves. The Arc materials are streamlined yet flexible enough to meet the needs of our teachers. We've also partnered with Simply Great Schools to support our implementation of multiple new curriculums this year and this has taken a load off of me and our school leaders. They have experts to provide just-in-time training on all aspects of the curriculum materials and implementation; this has been a lifesaver for us with so many new changes and initiatives going on! I would highly recommend partnering with Simply Great Schools - the support and accountability they provide is unmatched and is truly helping us move the needle in our district!

Simply Great Schools has been a transformative partner in assisting Milwaukee Schools to move forward positively. Their commitment to fostering a supportive and engaging learning environment has significantly enhanced school leaders' growth. The resources and professional development opportunities they provided in Milwaukee have empowered many to implement innovative leadership strategies, which ultimately benefit teachers' and students’ learning outcomes.

The training and resources Simply Great Schools have provided this school year have helped improve the classroom environment and rigor of every classroom in my school. I have become a stronger leader as a result of the summer intensive trainings which helped me improve my leadership mindsets and skills as the instructional leader of my building. All of the scripted PD sessions, coaching meeting templates, and arc of the year rubrics have allowed myself and my Deans of Instruction more time to focus on live coaching in classrooms instead of creating materials. Their ongoing coaching has helped push me to identify the highest leverage action step to move my school forward. I am so appreciative of all the support they provided to help me become a better Principal which ultimately has led to increased student academic outcomes.

Simply Great Schools has been amazing for myself and my team. While summer PD’s felt like leadership bootcamp, our team would not have grown as much as we have this school year without this framework. There are so many great things happening in our school community with Simply Great Schools best practices and framework. With Simply Great Schools I have grown with mindset, real time coaching, walkthroughs, and my coaching meetings. With the framework having rubrics, meeting scripts, practice in trainings, coaching meetings, and a model where everyone gets coached, I have had so much growth this school year with coaching teachers. Before Simply Great Schools my coaching strength and confidence was with classroom culture and management, and not rigor. In the past it was challenging for me to identify the biggest error grounded in the standard. However, with the trainings and coaching I have become more confident and stronger with coaching my teachers around rigor, and with data meetings. I have become so much better with RTC frame model debrief, and I am leaving teachers and classrooms better than they were before I entered. Having all the tools that are provided leaves no mysteries for leaders and teachers on what the expectations are with each arc, and weekly actions steps. Simple Great Schools has definitely impacted my growth and I’m excited about growing from good to great with and for my team. When school leaders are being coached, and teachers are being coached, everyone becomes great for the scholars and their learning. There are so many great things about working with Simply Great Schools, but the best thing is the impact on scholars. Scholars get the learning experience that they should be getting in the classroom. With independent work time, real time feedback, and learning to have purposeful discussion to learn from each other, our scholars are starting to experience what high performing learning is. Simply Great Schools and the best practices from the framework is definitely what’s best for kids and that is priceless. HERE IS MY BACK POCKET: It’s not my job to get upset just move the salt shaker back upholding the expectations. Coaching and coaching meetings are sacred they must happen no matter what. Lastly don’t be a fool use the tools such as, the rubics and coaching one pagers they are clear and kind. Thank you Doug and Riley

Simply Great Schools has been a game-changing partner for us. They've helped to take what could have been complex and burdensome systems, structures and implementation plans and, instead, supported us to make them appropriately "simplified," useable and impactful for us (systems leaders) and Principals. They know their stuff (their experience is evident) and it's been a huge bonus that they are easy to work with and fun too. Their own facilitation has been on point when both virtual and in-person leading PDs for Principals. We are excited to keep the partnership going to see great outcomes for our students!

There was no greater resource in my principal’s toolbelt for becoming a better leader than having Doug and Riley by my side. They provided me with a strategic framework that helped me organize my time, conduct purposeful observations, and coach teachers effectively. This, in turn, led to a well-balanced approach to classroom management and instruction. Without question, Doug and Riley had a profound impact on our school. Attendance rates skyrocketed, student test scores improved, and our teachers simply became better teachers!

Simply Great Schools has been instrumental in helping me grow as a leader and coach by providing invaluable resources and support. Their expertise has guided me in developing and implementing impactful professional development sessions for my teaching staff, leading to meaningful growth in our school community. The best thing about working with Simply Great Schools is their unwavering commitment to excellence and collaboration—they truly understand the challenges educators face and provide tailored solutions that make a real difference. Their guidance has empowered me to lead with confidence and create a positive, lasting impact on my team and students.

Working with Simply Great Schools transformed my first year as a principal from merely surviving to truly thriving. The professional development sessions provided me with the skills and confidence to navigate every aspect of leadership, from running effective coaching sessions to engaging in critical conversations with staff. Each session was not only engaging but also highly practical, equipping me with tangible tools and strategies to immediately apply in my school. Beyond the sessions, my school visits with my coach were invaluable, as they helped me get laser-focused on the most critical areas for growth, ensuring that every initiative and decision directly benefited our students. Simply Great Schools provided some of the best professional development I have ever experienced, giving me the resources and support to better serve my teachers, leaders, and students. If you’re looking for transformative professional development, you won’t regret working with Simply Great Schools!

As a newer school leader, the tools and practice that Simply Great Schools offers has been truly invaluable. Through my work with Riley I have developed both my leader mindset and concrete practices to support my teachers. Each session with Simply Great Schools feels like time well spent with a balance of take-and-use tools and opportunities to hone skills through practice. Sessions are exemplar professional development that model how effective adult learning can be crafted.

Simply Great Schools has helped me as a leader follow through on my commitment to develop new and veteran staff. Having a clear path of development to share with staff in the summer has supported growth in our student and staff culture. Everyone has the same goals and is going after the same things. I've found that the feeling in the building closely aligns with how we are doing with Arc goals. The best thing about working with Simply Great Schools is having access to the plethora of resources. Just like students, not every instructor learns and grows the same. Having access to multiple resources and autonomy to move between arcs allows me as an instructional leader to meet teachers where they are. The way the arcs are designed creates a shared ownership over what we do and how we do it at school.

Simply Great Schools, and Riley in particular, have provided invaluable tools and frameworks that have strengthened my ability to develop our team. Their approach has given us clear, actionable strategies to support teachers in ways that drive real impact. With a consistent and structured approach to coaching, we are now better equipped to empower educators and enhance both teaching and learning. Beyond instructional support, the high-quality leadership development they provide has transformed how I lead and facilitate growth within our team. I have gained new insights and practices that have made professional learning more engaging, purposeful, and impactful. One of the most powerful aspects of their work is the establishment of a common language around high-quality instruction and leadership. This shared understanding has strengthened collaboration, alignment, and the overall effectiveness of our professional learning. Simply Great Schools has completely shifted how we think about high-quality teaching and improving student achievement. Their work has challenged us to move beyond surface-level improvements and instead focus on deep, meaningful shifts in instruction and content development. Through their support, we’ve built a shared vision of excellence—one that prioritizes impact over compliance and truly elevates the student experience.

Simply Great Schools has helped me become an effective leader and instructional coach by giving me access to tools that have worked well for our students. The best thing about working with Simply Great Schools is the hands on in-person training and follow-up. I really enjoy how the Simply Great Schools team works in collaboration with schools to promote change and growth.

Simply Great Schools coaches make coaching feel both doable and exciting! Through video experience, practice, school observations, and feedback, they turns the chaos of education into a huge win. Thanks to their ARC tools and developments, I’ve felt truly successful this year.

Simply Great Schools has been a game-changer. Their coaching and data-driven strategies have helped me grow as a leader, refine how I support teachers, and make instructional changes that actually impact students. They’ve also given me the confidence to lead professional development and create a culture where both teachers and students keep growing.  Their commitment is to real, lasting change. They don’t just come in with quick fixes. Instead, they helped us build something sustainable. Because of their support, we’re not just improving instruction; we’re making sure every change we make moves the salt shaker for our kids in a meaningful way.

As a former school leader turned non-profit Executive Director, I am using the training and tools from Doug and Riley at Simply Great Schools every day in my leadership role. Things like building out an efficient leader schedule, how to coach my team, how to hold critical conversations, how to build team norms and focus on core values, strategic planning moves to win on goals, building engaging and action based team trainings, and so much more. Working with Doug and Riley at Simply Great Schools helped prepare me and made me a more effective leader. I know that I am better because of them and I believe my organization and team are better now as well!

Simply Great Schools was a HUGE help to me as I continued my educational leadership journey. Having someone who has done the work guide my thinking from a school leader perspective has been the best coaching I have received anywhere. I, truly, valued the time I spent with Riley and Doug every time we met. 

I'm Stacey Luehring, the Principal of Saint Peter Immanuel in Milwaukee, and  I have been working with Simply Great Schools for 3 years. I have grown so much as a leader through my work with them. Our school culture has changed drastically in the best way over the last 3 years, data is improving year to year, we are meeting goals, our teachers are growing everyday and our students are growing academically more and more everyday. Our school is a place that teachers, students and families want to be! The support received from Simply Great Schools is unmatched. Goals are clear, the gift of feedback is given consistently and everything is centered on the success of our students while helping teachers and leaders reach their full potential!

My name is Katie Evins and I am the interim principal at HOPE Caritas. I would recommend Simply Great Schools to help all schools in the Milwaukee area. The thing that I loved about Simply Great Schools is that Doug and Riley are awesome and talented trainers. They both train you on a level where you feel more confident about yourself, which helps you to believe that all things are possible. Last but not least, you actually see the results and growth with admin, staff, and students.

My name is Mrs. Larson, and I am one of the Assistant Principals at Carmen South Middle School. I have had the privilege of working with Simply Great Schools for the past two years. I have been in my network for 7 years, and before our work with Simply Great Schools, it felt as though our coaching model wasn't as impactful as it could have been. It was changing year to year and seemed like something we were checking off the list of "to-dos" instead of truly investing in. When I got my training through Simply Great Schools, I finally had complete clarity on what coaching should look, sound, and feel like. I saw measurable goals that were motivating to teachers AND leaders. There is a continuity throughout the program that allows a school to take a step back and see how we are functioning as a whole. Riley and Doug keep student needs and student success at the forefront of everything they do, and they genuinely believe in top-down accountability. The best thing about working with Simply Great Schools is the access to resources that take the preparation lift off of leaders. As an instructional coach, once I had been trained on how to use the Arc tools, I could easily run with it without having to create. Anyone who works in education knows that there are never enough hours in the day to complete everything we want. Simply Great Schools provides SO many resources, and so, as a leader, I can focus on implementation instead of creation. I would recommend Simply Great Schools to any network across the country, and I can say wholeheartedly, that our students and staff have greatly benefited from our networks investment in Doug and Riley.