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Zeal Education Group is a national consulting firm dedicated to providing audits and services. We offer leadership coaching, security audits, professional development, etc. We help schools & districts meet exceed their goals. & Insights Audits As a full-service consulting firm consisting exclusively of school and district leaders, our audits leverage an outsiders' view with an insiders' perspective. Chronic Absenteeism Fine Arts Special Education & MTSS Safety & Security Financial & HR Technology Cyber Security Organizational Effectiveness Board Policy Behavior Intervention Outside view Inside perspective Community Engagement Superintendent Searches Board Governance Training Change Management Reimagining Learning Spaces Strategic Communications Team Building Subject Matter PD Strategic Planning Leadership Coaching Services & Supports Our team possesses the knowledge and knowhow to help your organization identify and solve any problem, no matter the size or scale. What our clients are saying: We contracted with Zeal Education Group to conduct our district-wide security audit. While in district, the Zeal team was professional, thorough, and focused. The final report is well-formatted, incredibly detailed, driven by national standards, and very useful to my Board of Education, district staff, and for myself. Dr. Anthony Gasper Superintendent of Schools Meet our Team

Superintendent of Schools South Portland School Department South Portland, Maine Start Date: July 1, 2026 About the South Portland Board of Education The South Portland Board of Education is a dedicated, student centered governing body committed to providing high quality public education for all learners in a diverse and growing coastal community. The Board works collaboratively with district leadership to set a clear vision, establish sound policy, and ensure fiscal responsibility while remaining deeply attentive to community values and student outcomes. Board members value transparency, respectful dialogue, and thoughtful decision making, and they approach their work with a strong sense of stewardship for the district’s future. Why Lead the South Portland School Department The South Portland School Department presents a compelling leadership opportunity for an experienced, forward thinking superintendent who is energized by innovation, community engagement, and continuous improvement. Serving a vibrant and diverse student population, the district is known for its commitment to academic excellence, inclusive practices, and preparing students for success in an increasingly complex world. The next superintendent will join a supportive community that values education, collaboration, and progress, and will have the opportunity to shape the next chapter of the district’s growth while building strong partnerships with staff, families, and the broader South Portland community. Leadership Profile The South Portland School Department has asked Zeal Education Group to conduct a comprehensive engagement with all stakeholders throughout the South Portland community. Once complete, we will share the Leadership Profile. All serious applicants should review the Leadership Profile in consideration of this role. Key Dates January 14, 2026 — Announcement of Vacancy January 26-30, 2026 — Community Engagement February 24, 2026 — Presentation of Leadership Profile to School Committee March 23, 2026 at 11:59 PM EST — Application Deadline April 8, 2026 — Presentation of State of Candidates April 17, 2026 — In Person Semi-Finalist Interviews with the School Committee April 27, 2026 — Finalist Interviews May 11, 2026 — Anticipated Appointment of New Superintendent July 1, 2026 — Start Date of New Superintendent Application Process This will be a confidential search process. Interested candidates must submit the following materials in one PDF : Completed application form Cover letter detailing your fit for this position and alignment with the Leadership Profile Current résumé or curriculum vitae Three current letters of recommendation Proof of, or eligibility for state-specific Superintendent Certification Unofficial copy of educational transcripts The successful candidate will be offered a salary of no less than $165,000 plus benefits. Please email the completed application packet to southportland@zeal-ed.com no later than March 23, 2026 at 11:59 PM EST. Questions All inquiries will be treated with full confidentiality and discretion. Please contact the Zeal search team at southportland@zeal-ed.com .

Diverse, experienced, national wide team of educational consultants. Superintendents, professors, authors, thought leaders, educational leaders, principals. A team that is passionate about learning and leading. Zeal Education Group’s engine is fueled by a diverse, nationwide team with centuries of experience as superintendents, principals, professors, authors, and industry thought-leaders. Jeff Melendez Founder & CEO Read More Coretta Martin Associate Read More Eric Becoats Senior Associate Read More David Pinder Senior Associate Read More Marie Hubley Alcock Strategic Partner Read More Curtis Cain Senior Associate Read More Kim Marshall Associate Read More Lori McEwen Associate Read More David Miyashiro Senior Associate Read More Lory Morrow Senior Associate Read More Paul Gausman Senior Associate Read More Ian Saltzman Senior Associate Read More Priya Tahiliani Senior Associate Read More Jordin Williams Associate Read More Andrea Cruz Associate Read More Ebony Lanford-Brown Associate Read More Stephen Murley Senior Associate Read More Mark Toback Senior Associate Read More Alyssa Sabbatino Associate Read More Richard Henderson Associate Read More Stephanie Bell Associate Read More Priya Darbari Senior Associate Read More Kris Cosca Senior Associate Read More Michael Zarchin Associate Read More Jack Mitchell Associate Read More Gabrielle Morquecho Associate Read More April Lewis Associate Read More Dawn Lucarelli Associate Read More Nicole Elliott Associate Read More Kevin Eberle Associate Read More Joe Corso Associate Read More Dino Coronado Senior Associate Read More Verdel Jones Associate Read More Carrie Grimes Associate Read More Brian Colomban Associate Read More Kimberly Banda Associate Read More Victor Ramsey Associate Read More Gregory Stowell Senior Associate Read More Chris Carlone Associate Read More Scott Lindsey Associate Read More Katherine Stahl Associate Read More Gregory Rodriguez Associate Read More Jack Zamary Senior Associate Read More Travis McGuire Senior Associate Read More Michael Barcadepone Senior Associate Read More Anna Wamack Associate Read More Don Killingbeck Senior Associate Read More Peter Light Senior Associate Read More Jillian Bumpus Associate Read More Robert Tremblay Senior Associate Read More Elizabeth Van Tassel Associate Read More Ed Finney Associate Read More Ryan Foor Associate Read More Jason Mantell Senior Associate Read More James Venhaus Associate Read More Erik Weenink Project Manager Read More Tom Hakes Director of Growth Read More Prakash Nair, AIA Strategic Partner Read More Liam Goldrick Strategic Partner Read More Tom McMorran Senior Associate Read More Maria Suttmeier Senior Associate Read More Elissa Klein Associate Read More Tim Goree Associate Read More Jennifer Rasmussen Associate Read More Ray Fredrick Associate Read More Jennifer Walsh-Rurak Associate Read More Julia Drake Associate Read More Daniel Erickson Senior Associate Read More Cliff Claflin Associate Read More Megan Bennett Senior Associate Read More Stephen Tracy Senior Associate Read More Joseph Micheller Senior Associate Read More Paul Castro Senior Associate Read More Mike Redmond Senior Associate Read More Wheatley Moylan Associate Read More Brian Czapla Senior Associate Read More Chris Malone Senior Associate Read More Zac Robbins Senior Associate Read More Ed Pietrzak Associate Read More Molly Ness Associate Read More Christopher Nagy Senior Associate Read More Michael O'Guin Senior Associate Read More Joanne Panopoulos Associate Read More Thomas Dillon Associate Read More Dan Rector Associate Read More Sharon Bradley Associate Read More Mark Pompano Associate Read More Anita Foor Associate Read More Bill de la Cruz Associate Read More Rafael Mercado Associate Read More Michelle Brantner Senior Associate Read More Tracy Edwards Associate Read More Steven Adamowski Senior Associate Read More Keri Snowden Associate Read More Lee Weber Senior Associate Read More Brooke Olsen-Farrell Senior Associate Read More Matthew Friedman Senior Associate Read More Scott Cascone Senior Associate Read More Richard Jones Associate Read More David Arnsten Associate Read More Stephen Hernandez, Esq. Associate Read More Leslie Torres-Rodriguez Senior Associate Read More Clemente Lopes Associate Read More Richard Katz Senior Associate Read More

< Back Priya Tahiliani Senior Associate Priya Tahiliani is the current Superintendent of the Brockton Public Schools, the 5th largest school district in Massachusetts, a role she was appointed to after serving for four years as the Superintendent of the Everett Public Schools. Prior to becoming a superintendent, Priya worked in the Boston Public Schools for 19 years, first as a middle and high school teacher for 15 years, and then as a school and district administrator for four years. The daughter of Indian immigrants, education has always played a critical role in her life; and as an English Learner in the public school system, she gained a deep appreciation for the work done by educators in order to ensure that every student succeeds. In an effort to continually advocate for and improve the state’s access to high quality equitable instruction an assessment, Priya serves as the President Emeritus on the Board of Directors of MATSOL (Massachusetts Association of Teachers of Speakers of Other Languages), as a former member of both the MCAS (Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System) Standards Setting Committee and the MCAS Bias and Sensitivity Committee, and is currently on the DESE Career and Vocational Technical Advisory Council. She is also Urban Superintendents Network representative for the statewide REDI (Race Equity Diversity Inclusion) Standing Committee and the Women’s Educational Leadership Network (WELN). In 2022, she proudly accepted the President's Award from the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents for courageous leadership in her school district; and in 2023, she was elected to serve on the Board of Directors for the Harvard Extension Alumni Association. Priya holds a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Science from Boston University, a Master of Fine Arts from Harvard University, and a Doctorate in Urban Educational Leadership from the University of Phoenix.

< Back Chris Malone Senior Associate Christopher Malone has been an educator for over 25 years. Prior to his retirement, he served as the Superintendent of Tewksbury Public Schools and Assistant Superintendent of the Revere Public Schools, both in Massachusetts. He also served the Revere schools as a Middle School Principal, a Dean of Students at the High School, and a Student Services Specialist, and the Beverly, MA Public Schools as an Assistant Principal at Beverly High School. His work in three school districts and in differing administrative roles has strengthened his understanding of complex educational matters such as budgeting and state mandated testing. Before his work with Massachusetts K-12 public schools, Malone spent three years working with the Mentor Shelter in Somerville through the Massachusetts Department of Youth Services, and five years as a Captain in the United States Army. He received a Bachelor of Science in Crime, Law and Delinquency from Suffolk University, a Master of Education from the University of Massachusetts Lowell, and a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study in Educational Leadership from Salem State University.

< Back Eric Becoats Senior Associate Dr. Eric J. Becoats brings to the table a unique blend of skills that encompass leadership in K-12 education on the instructional and operational level. His journey is distinguished by a proven track of turning low performing schools around, implementing effective strategic plans which yield results, building high performing teams, and School Board governance. Becoats has held several roles where he has provided guidance and oversight of all school-based operations in K-12 districts in Maryland, North Carolina, Illinois and Pennsylvania. His knowledge of turnaround models obtained through the RELAY School of Education proved beneficial in guiding some of the lowest performing schools into improvement within three years. Becoats has developed and facilitated professional development programs for school-based leaders and central office senior leaders that incorporated research based best practices. As a lifelong learner, Becoats earned a BS degree from Lincoln University (PA), Master’s Degree from Johns Hopkins University, and a Doctorate Degree from The University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Becoats has obtained certifications in project management, school turnaround, and as a DISC practitioner.

< Back Liam Goldrick Strategic Partner With more than 25 years of experience in education policy and communications, Liam has developed expertise in strategic messaging, crisis communications, community engagement, and public policy and advocacy. As a Donovan Group partner since 2019, Liam currently specializes in communications, public relations, and strategic support for public schools, school districts, and education organizations nationwide. Before joining the Donovan Group, Liam served as policy director for the New Teacher Center, a national nonprofit committed to building a resilient, modern educator workforce. He previously served as education policy advisor to Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle, as senior education policy analyst at the National Governors Association, and as executive assistant to the Vermont State Auditor. Earlier in his career, he worked in Vermont politics. Liam graduated with a bachelor’s degree in political science from Boston College in 1993 and a master’s degree in public policy from Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government in 1995.

< Back Carrie Grimes Associate Dr. Carrie Grimes is a skilled and dynamic academic with a broad array of experiences in independent school and university settings. She currently serves as a professor at Vanderbilt University’s Peabody College, in the Department of Leadership, Policy and Organizations where she teaches at the master’s and doctoral level and directs Peabody’s M.Ed. in Independent School Leadership. Her expertise ranges from community building in online professional degree programs, early childhood education, strategic planning, institutional advancement, emotionally intelligent leadership and instruction, and programmatic design/management. Dr. Grimes prides herself on possessing strong communication skills interfacing with collaborative groups of people including professional students, advancement teams, consultants, teachers, religious leaders, trustees, academics, and community based organizations. Dr. Grimes' professional passions include imaginative problem solving, creative partnerships, curriculum design, community/culture building, evidence-based quality improvement, emotional intelligence, and leadership within school settings. Her current research agenda focuses on organizational supports for independent school leaders of color, resources to promote retention in early-career faculty, and strategies for building community in adult online learning environments. Grimes received her B.A. in English literature and psychology from the University of Pennsylvania, her M.A. in Education and Counseling Psychology from New York University’s Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development , and her Ed.D. in Leadership and Learning in Organizations from Vanderbitl University’s Peabody College of Education and Human Development.

< Back Maria Suttmeier Senior Associate Dr. Maria Lagana Suttmeier has been a public educator in New York for over 30 years. She served as the Superintendent of Schools of the Hudson City School District for a decade. Prior to this leadership appointment, she served as the Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction and was a Building Administrator for Hudson’s Middle School. Besides her leadership experience, she has served in elementary classrooms and has experience managing entitlement grants along with competitive grants such as Title V, McKinney-Vento, 21 st Century Afterschool and My Brother’s Keeper. Maria received her doctorate from The Sage Colleges Esteves School of Education and is a graduate of the College of St. Rose with a BS degree in Elementary Education and an MS degree in Reading. During her tenure as an educator, Maria co-founded a not-for-profit, Investments in Youth, the popular Hudson Children’s Book Festival and The Bridge alternative high school. She was one of the early founders of the Greater Hudson Promise Neighborhood, served as Chairperson of the CASDA Executive Committee, Chairperson of Questar’s Academics Program Subcommittee and served on the Boards of Dollars for Scholars and the Columbia Economic Development Corporation. Maria continues to contribute to the field of education through her dedicated service as an Executive Coach for school leaders and doctoral candidates and remains passionate about developing and improving school cultures.

< Back Kim Marshall Associate Kim Marshall, a former Boston Public Schools teacher, principal, and central-office curriculum director, now coaches principals, gives workshops and courses on school leadership, and consults with school districts, often on rethinking teacher supervision and evaluation and curriculum unit design. He publishes the weekly Marshall Memo.

< Back Jennifer Walsh-Rurak Associate Dr. Jennifer Walsh-Rurak has spent over 20 years as an educational leader in public and private schools in rural, urban, suburban, and alternative settings at the elementary, middle, and high school levels. In addition, she has worked as an adjunct graduate professor in the Educational Leadership department at St. Lawrence University. She earned her Doctor of Education degree with a concentration in Educational and Instructional Leadership from Northeastern University. Additionally, she has a Master of Science degree in Educational Leadership/Administration and a Master of Science degree in Special Education both from Canisius College, as well as a Bachelor of Science degree in Education and Exceptionalities from SUNY Cortland.

< Back Scott Cascone Senior Associate Dr. J. Scott Cascone has spent more than twenty-five years serving students in both private and public education. His career began as a volunteer English teacher with World Teach Costa Rica, an experience that shaped his lifelong belief in the power of learning to transform lives. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in International Affairs from The George Washington University, with minors in English and Latin American Studies, as well as a Master’s in Teaching (Second Language Acquisition) from Fairleigh Dickinson University and a Doctorate in Education from Seton Hall University. Dr. Cascone has served as a teacher of Spanish and ESL, athletic coach, assistant principal, principal, and later as director of personnel, curriculum, and superintendent of schools. Across each role, he has remained focused on building systems that support both student success and educator growth. His doctoral research examined parental involvement among culturally and linguistically diverse families, reinforcing his commitment to inclusive and equitable education. Known for his thoughtful approach to leadership, Dr. Cascone’s work centers on strategic planning, curriculum design, adult learning, and the development of collaborative school cultures.