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Our Approach
Change requires learning
Our schools must be transformed in order to become equitable places of learning. This requires learning, and unlearning, on the part of adults leading in schools. We focus on transforming the process and experience of learning for adults as the key lever for transforming schools. If we, the adults, learn to learn more effectively, then we can change our schools. If leaders and coaches learn to facilitate transformational, effective learning, then we can change our schools.
Change starts with the individual
We start with the smallest unit, the individual. We offer tools to make an individual’s experience transformational first, and then focus on the group. We support groups of adults to learn together, acquire skills to build effective teams, and improve organizational learning conditions. Our work toggles back and forth between group dynamics and an individual’s leadership. When teams reimagine their own way of operating, it opens the door to reimagining entire systems.
Change requires resilience and equity
Both are necessary foundations for transformation, and often neglected in conversations about school transformation. We know that the work of equity cannot be done without an understanding and acceptance of emotions; we recognize that we need resilience to do the work of equity.
Learning Principles
Our trainings are guided by these beliefs
Safety is essential for learning.
A problem-centered orientation facilitates deepest learning.
Participants need practice.
Learning is a path for individual and collective liberation.
Learners are the experts on themselves and their context.
The Bright Morning Team
Elena Aguilar
Elena Aguilar is a writer, leader, teacher, coach and podcaster. She is the author of eight highly acclaimed books: The Art of Coaching (pub. 2013, retd. 2024), The Art of Coaching Teams (2016), Onward: Cultivating Emotional Resilience in Educators (2018), The Onward Workbook (2018), Coaching for Equity (2020), The Art of Coaching Workbook (pub. 2020, retd. 2024), The PD Book: 7 Habits that Transform Professional Development (2022), and Arise: The Art of Transformational Coaching (2024). She has also been a frequent contributor to Edutopia, ASCD’s Educational Leadership, and EdWeek Teacher. Elena is the founder and CEO of Bright Morning Consulting, an organization committed to helping individuals and organizations create the conditions for transformation. She has taught tens of thousands of folks how to have conversations that build a more just and equitable world. Elena can be heard demonstrating these conversations on The Bright Morning Podcast.
Elena is also the co-founder of Kenya Big Picture Learning, she’s on the advisory board of UC Berkeley’s Greater Good Science Center, and she is a certified mindfulness meditation teacher. She lives in Oakland, CA, with her husband, son, and two cats. When she’s not coaching or writing, she enjoys traveling abroad, photographing birds, hiking, drinking cacao, and reading fiction.
Becky Barstein
Becky has worked at the intersection of education, technology, and equity since 2011. She previously taught grades K-4 in Houston, TX, while also leading and coaching teams of new and veteran teachers. During this time, she also developed and facilitated school-, district-, and network-wide professional development focused on elementary literacy, dismantling white supremacy culture, and social-emotional learning for students and adults.
Becky resides in the land of the Massachusetts and Pawtucket peoples (Boston, MA). She cultivates her resilience through exercise with friends, time outdoors (in the sun, if possible), and family game nights.
LesLee Bickford
LesLee honed her design, strategy, and consulting skills in education and nonprofits. She began her career teaching and coaching in Philadelphia public schools before relocating to the Midwest and moving from working within the public school system to partnering with educators and the staff members who support them. Since 2003 she has led teams and imagined, designed, and executed learning experiences for individuals and groups in school, nonprofit and for-profit settings.
LesLee was trained by Robert Kegan and Lisa Lahey as a facilitator of the Immunity to Change coaching method, has completed Cognitive Coaching training, is an ICF-certified coach, and was trained and certified in The Art of Coaching.
LesLee’s home base is in the land of the Dakota and Anishinaabe (Minneapolis, MN). She cultivates her resilience spending time with her kids, walking her dogs, and spending time near the ocean.
Stacey Goodman
Stacey brings an invaluable blend of years of working in schools and in the private sector to our team. Having worked in internet companies in Silicon Valley in the mid-1990s, he has a keen understanding of how small businesses thrive. Following his adventures with start-ups, Stacey taught in independent schools in the San Francisco Bay Area for 18 years which gave him a deep appreciation for the learning needs of educators in private schools.
Stacey is also a professional artist and brings an eye for aesthetics and design to Bright Morning. He and Elena are happily married.
He resides in the land of the Ohlone (Oakland, CA) and cultivates his resilience through art, music, and exercise.
Jess Levasseur
Jess has worked in education since 2011. She launched her career in education as an early elementary teacher for eight years, four of which included being part of a team that was founding a new elementary school. She transitioned from the classroom into education tech and then served as the Director of Equity and Leadership Programming for a San Diego-based education nonprofit, where she led professional development opportunities and coached first- and second-year teachers.
Jess is passionate about creating more equitable schools by directly supporting the adults who influence students, families, and communities.
Jess resides in the land of the Kumeyaay (San Diego, CA) and cultivates her resilience with dog snuggles, creating arts and crafts, and throwing theme parties.
Jennifer Liu
Jennifer has developed expertise in customer experience and creative operations in organizations and education since 2008. She discovered her love for program development while managing and developing volunteers in the museum industry. Most recently, she managed strategic communications and team development for a K-12 independent school in Georgia.
Jennifer is dedicated to the learning and growth of others as part of her deep quest to contribute to a more compassionate and just society for all.
Jennifer resides in the land of the Muscogee (Atlanta, Georgia). She cultivates her resilience by making a cup of coffee, creative floral design, and writing cards to loved ones.
Cary Meyers
Cary has worked in education and nonprofits since 2013. She started her career in education with City Year Miami and then became a classroom teacher in Denver, where she taught kindergarten, first, and third grade. Most recently, her work has focused on operations and systems development in nonprofit organizations.
Cary strives to build systems and processes that create more inclusive and equitable workplaces.
Cary resides in the land of the Monongahela (Pittsburgh, PA). She cultivates her resilience by knitting, organizing, and spending time with loved ones.
Sarah Ann Snipes
Sarah Ann has worked in education since 2017. She began her career as an upper elementary school teacher focusing on literacy for 4th and 5th graders. Since teaching, she has worked in education non-profit as an operations specialist. Most recently, she served as the Director of Network Impact, where she focused on data, communications, and strategy.
She is passionate about making information useful and accessible and refining systems to co-create more equitable spaces.
Sarah Ann resides in the land of the Catawba, Waxhaw, Cheraw, and Sugeree peoples (Charlotte, NC). She cultivates her resilience by taking long walks with her dogs, creating with loved ones, and riding her bike.
Antoinette Strain
Antoinette has worked in education since 2011. Over her career, she has worked as a middle school math and science teacher, school operations manager, instructional and culture coach, and dean of students.
She enjoys imagining and cultivating environments that honor community values and embrace restorative and anti-racist practices.
Antoinette resides in the land of the Dakota and Anishinaabe (Minneapolis, MN). She cultivates her resilience by tending to her garden, cooking new recipes, and taking trail walks with family.
Ellen Vanden Branden
Ellen has been working in schools since 2010. She began her career in education as a middle school English language teacher, and she has taught middle school writing, high school literature, composition, and literacy intervention. Ellen has also served as a school leader and instructional coach.
She believes literacy is a human right, and she loves to be in community with folks committed to nurturing the spirits of young people in pursuit of a more just world.
Ellen lives in the land of the Dakota and Anishinaabe (Minneapolis, MN). She cultivates her resilience by spending time with her loved ones, connecting with nature, and dancing.
In Residence
In addition to lending us their talents, our “in residence” team members also have professional lives outside of Bright Morning.
Nick is a human catalyst passionate about empowering teachers and supporting them to lead the charge in educational equity. He coaches district instructional coaching staff and teacher leaders while supporting Tulsa Public Schools as a Director of Content and Coaching.
Nick has had various roles in education, starting as a 2nd grade teacher in Tulsa, where his passion for education was ignited. From there, he has supported educators while working at multiple national education non-profits.
Nick lives in the land of Muscogee Creek (Tulsa, Ok). He cultivates his resilience through crossfit, hugs, and performing.
Carol has been a teacher, school leader, instructional and leadership coach, and a manager of coaches, and she now leads Kenya Big Picture Learning, a Big Picture Learning project.
Carol has extensive experience working with students, teachers, and school leaders in marginalized communities. She has presented at our Art of Coaching Conferences, and with Elena, she co-directs our immersive learning exchange, Ustahimilivu Dadas. Carol is available to present our workshops anywhere in Africa and consult with schools and organizational leaders about building a coaching program.
Carol lives in the land of the Enkare Nyrobi' maasai (Nairobi, Kenya). She cultivates her resilience through sewing and design, music and dancing, and reading.
Contact
Reach out to our team with any inquiries or feedback.
Careers
Join our team working to build resilient, equitable communities.
Transformation starts here
Start cultivating your skills to lead teams that transform schools and organizations into joyful, resilient, and equitable environments.
