Search Results

Subject Matter PD Hiring Zeal Education Group for subject matter professional development (PD) offers districts a tailored, expert-led approach to enhancing instructional quality and educator effectiveness. Leveraging our specialized expertise, we deliver targeted PD sessions designed to address specific curriculum areas, pedagogical strategies, and emerging educational trends. By partnering with us, districts can ensure that their educators receive high-quality, relevant training that fosters instructional excellence, promotes student engagement, and aligns with district goals and priorities. Our customized PD offerings empower educators with the knowledge, skills, and resources needed to enhance student outcomes, foster continuous improvement, and cultivate a culture of excellence within the district. Retaining Zeal Education Group to facilitate curricula review and professional development presents a transformative opportunity for educational institutions aiming to enhance instructional quality, student engagement, and educator effectiveness. With a proven track record of excellence and a deep understanding of curricular best practices, Zeal Education Group brings a wealth of expertise and innovative solutions to guide schools and districts through comprehensive curricula evaluations and tailored professional development initiatives. By partnering with our team of thought-leaders, your school or district can ensure that their curricula are aligned with current standards, pedagogical trends, and student needs, fostering a more cohesive and impactful learning environment. One of the primary benefits of partnering with Zeal Education Group lies in our holistic approach to curricula review and professional development. Our team collaborates closely with educators, administrators, and stakeholders to conduct thorough curricula evaluations, identify areas for improvement, and develop targeted professional development programs that empower educators with the knowledge, skills, and resources needed to enhance instructional delivery and student outcomes. Moreover, our commitment to ongoing support and collaboration ensures that schools and districts can navigate the complexities of curricular implementation with confidence and efficacy, ultimately fostering a culture of continuous improvement and innovation. Deliverables provided by Zeal Education Group include: Comprehensive Curricula Review: Conducting a thorough analysis of existing curricula to identify strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities for enhancement. Alignment with Standards and Best Practices: Ensuring curricula are aligned with current educational standards, pedagogical trends, and research-based practices. Customized Professional Development: Designing tailored professional development programs that address the unique needs and goals of educators, administrators, and support staff. Instructional Coaching and Support: Providing ongoing coaching, mentoring, and support to educators to enhance instructional effectiveness and student engagement. Resource Development and Implementation: Creating and implementing instructional resources, tools, and materials that align with curricular goals and objectives. Stakeholder Engagement and Collaboration: Facilitating collaboration among educators, administrators, parents, and community stakeholders to foster a shared vision for curricular excellence and student success. By leveraging Zeal's expertise and resources, you can transform your curricula and professional development initiatives, fostering a culture of excellence, innovation, and continuous improvement that positively impacts student learning and achievement. Schedule Your FREE Confidential Consultation OUR PROMISE We understand that our clients are not just districts and schools, but ultimately the students that they are designed to serve. As fellow educators, we are committed to acting with integrity, honesty, a nd transp arency. Zeal is unlike any other consulting firm because we guarantee complete and total satisfaction on any service we provide, or we will start over. Learn more about our other services: Change Management Get on the balcony to identify the obstacles to change Learn More Reimagining Learning Spaces Create contemporary learning spaces that will truly engage students Learn More Leadership Coaching Bespoke coaching for all levels of leadership Learn More

< Back Jack Zamary Senior Associate Dr. Jack Zamary’s passion for learning drives him both personally and professionally. As a career educator with 35 years of service in some of Connecticut’s highest performing districts, he has a wealth of knowledge and experience in leading educational communities to reach their highest aspirations. The universality of learning has been a fascination of Jack’s for many years. He believes that best practice is embraced and sustained when it is modeled and owned by all practitioners in the district. To this end, his doctoral research studied authentic teacher practice through Kim Marshall's mini-observation model and explored the kinds of feedback that teachers found most beneficial in bringing about changes to their practice. Outcomes from this research have been utilized by numerous districts as well as the Northeastern Educational Research Association and also published by the National Association of Elementary Principals. As an adjunct professor at the University of Connecticut, Jack has dedicated his current efforts toward one of the most important aspects of high quality instruction, namely teacher preparation. As a professor and staff trainer, he has a long history of providing highly engaging and relevant sessions for adult learners. In addition to his work at higher education, he has provided national and regional presentations for the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD), New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC), National Association for Music Education (NAfME), as well as numerous sessions at the state, district and school levels. Jack earned his undergraduate and masters degrees from the University of Connecticut and his doctoral degree from Southern Connecticut State University.

< 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.

Superintendent of Schools Yarmouth School Department Yarmouth, Maine Start Date: July 1, 2026 About Yarmouth Public Schools Yarmouth Public Schools serves the coastal community of Yarmouth, Maine, a town known for its strong civic engagement, high expectations for public education, and deep commitment to children and families. Located along Casco Bay and just north of Portland, Yarmouth offers the quality of life and community connection that define the best of Maine living. Residents value education as a shared responsibility and take pride in schools that are both academically strong and deeply rooted in the community. Yarmouth's mission is "empowering all students to create fulfilling lives in a changing world. " The district is characterized by a culture of professionalism, collaboration, and care. Educators are dedicated to knowing students well and supporting their academic, social, and emotional growth. Families are highly engaged partners in the life of the schools, and community members consistently express pride in the district and a desire to see it thrive for generations to come. Yarmouth Public Schools is recognized for its commitment to student learning, thoughtful instructional practices, and a balanced approach to academics, the arts, athletics, and enrichment. The district’s schools reflect a shared belief that excellence and well-being go hand in hand, and that strong relationships are foundational to meaningful learning. Why Lead Yarmouth Public Schools Yarmouth Public Schools offers a unique opportunity for a superintendent who values collaboration, trust, and purposeful leadership. The district’s scale (approximately 1,700 students) allows for meaningful connection with students, staff, and families, while still providing the complexity and scope to engage in strategic, system-level leadership. Yarmouth is a community that cares deeply about its schools and is eager to partner with a leader who listens, communicates clearly, and leads with integrity. The next superintendent will join a district with dedicated educators, an engaged School Committee, and a community that values transparency and thoughtful decision-making. This role is well suited for a leader who believes in shared leadership, understands the importance of presence in schools, and is committed to supporting educators so they can do their best work for students. Yarmouth seeks a superintendent who can honor the district’s strengths while guiding it forward with clarity and confidence. This is an opportunity to lead a high-performing district with strong community support, where a values-driven leader can make a lasting and meaningful impact. Leadership Profile The Yarmouth School Department has asked Zeal Education Group to conduct a comprehensive engagement with all stakeholders throughout the Yarmouth 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 5, 2026 — Announcement of Vacancy January 12-16, 2026 — Community Engagement February 5, 2026 — Presentation of Leadership Profile to School Committee March 5, 2026 at 11:59 PM EST — Application Deadline March 30-31, 2026 — In Person Semi-Finalist Interviews with the Search Committee April 6, 2026 — Finalist Interviews April 9, 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 base salary of no-less than $175,000 plus benefits, with the potential for additional compensation commensurate with experience. Please email the completed application packet to yarmouth@zeal-ed.com no later than March 5, 2026 at 11:59 PM EST. Questions All inquiries will be treated with full confidentiality and discretion. Please contact the Zeal search team at yarmouth@zeal-ed.com .

< Back Kevin Eberle Associate Dr. Eberle is a passionate and driven school educator who has focused on creating a school culture for all to be successful. He has served four Western New York school districts over the past thirty-two years with the last eighteen in the Buffalo Public School District. As building principal, Dr. Eberle's vision has always focused on enriching the school building environment through cooperative initiatives that are conducive to learning and strive towards the highest student performance. He has redesigned schools by empowering faculties to become true educational leaders within their own classrooms. As an organizational leader, Dr. Eberle believes excellent communication and implementing a total team approach in creating a collegial, trusting, caring, and safe atmosphere, is essential for organizational change. He understands that change is inevitable and must continue to be visionaries for effective change. Dr. Eberle received his Doctor of Education from The State University of New York at Buffalo concentrating on Educational Leadership and Policy. With a master’s degree in counseling education, and a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, Dr. Eberle has focused on the social/emotional effects of schools and how to create positive relationships that develop positive learning environments. As Chief Operations Officer for the Buffalo Public Schools, Dr. Eberle was responsible for Facilities management of eight million square feet of school space, Food/nutrition, Transportation, Safety, and Security for 32,000 students. Within these years as COO, he gained a systemic thought process at a macro level of management and developed vital relationships within the business, district, and municipal communities to focus on collaborative efforts to support our educational mission for academic growth. Dr. Eberle’s present vision is to assist school personnel with changing the culture and fabric of schools where students are beginning to perform at a higher level. Creating an inviting and safe school environment is essential for academic success. Building relationships is the essence of success for every student and teacher to create a learning environment that is conducive for all students to be academically proficient. Dr. Eberle has attended many professional development and post-graduate seminars including Harvard University Summer Leadership Institutes. He believes we must continue to be lifelong learners to assist the next generation of educators. Dr. Eberle is presently an adjunct professor at Empire State University focusing on School Leadership and Policy. Dr. Eberle’s foundation for leading people began over forty years ago when he started his professional career in law enforcement. Before entering the field of education, he studied Criminal Justice and was hired as a police officer in Hampton Virginia. Over seven years as an officer, he aspired to be a special weapon and tactical (SWAT) officer along with becoming an instructor in the regional police academy. It was during these years that he developed his teaching, counseling, and leadership skills which were transferable attributes entering the field of education. Dr. Eberle presently advises Technology companies with school safety and solutions throughout the country. He is committed to the continued focus on the correlation between safe schools and academic success. His passion for civic duties is evident in his continued work as a current or past board member with the Buffalo, NY Police Athletic League, OLV Human Services, and the Family Justice Center of Buffalo, NY.

Board Policy Audits One of the primiary responsibilities of a Board of Education is to create and approve policies that govern the district. Our experienced team conducts thorough research and benchmarking to ensure that school districts' policies reflect best practices in the education field. By staying current with emerging trends and innovative approaches, we help school boards create policies that address evolving needs and support the district's goals and vision. This is crucial for school boards as modern policies enhance educational effectiveness, adaptability, and responsiveness to changing student and community needs. Our firm specializes in conducting comprehensive policy audits for schools and districts, ensuring that outdated policies are identified and assessed for relevance and compliance. This is crucial for school boards to do as outdated policies can lead to inconsistencies, legal risks, and ineffective decision-making, hindering a district's ability to provide a safe and equitable learning environment. If retained to conduct your district's policy audit, we offer the following: Policy Analysis: Detailed evaluation of current policies to identify necessary adjustments in line with state-specific regulations. Policy Revision Consultation: Collaborative guidance with school boards to craft clear, concise, and modernized policies that reflect current educational standards and legal mandates. Training & Support: Comprehensive assistance and training for school boards and district staff throughout the policy revision process, ensuring effective implementation and understanding of updated policies. With our support, we believe your district will promote a shared understanding and ownership of the policies, leading to improved compliance, stakeholder engagement, and the successful implementation of district-wide initiatives. Schedule Your FREE Confidential Consultation OUR PROMISE We understand that our clients are not just districts and schools, but ultimately the students that they are designed to serve. As fellow educators, we are committed to acting with integrity, honesty, and transparency. Zeal is unlike any other consulting firm because we guarantee complete and total satisfaction on any service we provide, or we will start over. Learn more about our other services: Financial & HR Optimize your human and fiscal resources at the school and district levels Learn More Special Education & MTSS Identify the strengths and opportunities that will improve your programs Learn More Cyber Security Reduce or eliminate the likelihood of a cyber-attack Learn More Organizational Effectiveness Clarify roles and responsibilities to promote a stronger organization Learn More

< Back Prakash Nair, AIA Strategic Partner Prakash Nair is a futurist, a visionary architect and the Founding President & CEO of Education Design International (EDI). Prakash established EDI as an umbrella organization that brings together the best school architecture with research-driven innovations in a number of other industries including education, environmental science, neurology, psychology and child development. Prior to starting EDI, Prakash served for 16 years as the Founding President & CEO of Fielding Nair International – a Company he helped build into one of the world’s leading change agents in school design with consultations in 52 countries on six continents. He is the recipient of many international awards including the A4LE MacConnell Award, the highest honor worldwide for school design. He has written extensively in leading international journals about school design. He is the author of three books including the new landmark publication, Learning by Design: Live | Play | Engage | Create , The Language of School Design now in it’s 3rd edition, and Blueprint for Tomorrow: Redesigning Schools for Student-Centered Learning published by the Harvard Education Press. Prakash served as an instructor for Harvard X “Leaders of Learning ”, an online course which lets you explore and understand your own theories of learning and leadership. Led by Harvard’s Dr. Richard Elmore, Leaders of Learning helps identify and develop educators’ personal theory of learning, and explore how it fits into the shifting landscape of learning. In 2020, Leaders of Learning had over 159,000 registrants worldwide. Prior to co-founding Fielding Nair International, Prakash worked for 10 years as Director of Operations for a multibillion-dollar school construction program for New York City. Prakash Serves as a Managing Principal on several projects scattered around the world. He has served as a school planning and design consultant, presenter and/or keynote speaker for clients in Australia (five states), Belgium, Brunei, Canada, Cayman Islands, Costa Rica, Denmark, Finland, Germany, India (six states), Indonesia, Israel, Malaysia, Mexico, Oman, New Zealand, Puerto Rico, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, Thailand, The Netherlands, Turkey, U.A.E., U.K. the United States (23 states) and Venezuela. By staying current with the research as well as national and international social, economic and cultural trends, Prakash is able to bring best practice thinking from many disciplines and fields to bear on education-related problems and projects. This approach has helped education clients save millions of dollars while still achieving or exceeding their schedule and quality expectations. He is widely considered to be the world’s leading authority on Innovative School Design. He lectures frequently, conducts various Webinars for educators and design professionals and authors a blog on school design. He is a regular keynote speaker at international events and has delivered a TedX talk. Prakash’s signature talent lies in his ability to communicate his passion for a new approach to education across the globe. He forges strong partnerships with local firms, helps client communities visualize their future, builds consensus for uniquely tailored solutions, and helps execute them successfully.

< Back Priya Darbari Senior Associate Priya Darbari brings over 25 years of diverse experience in education, from Montessori teaching to leadership roles as assistant principal, principal, director, and assistant superintendent before becoming Superintendent. Darbari has successfully implemented programs for underserved students, developed a NASA internship for high school seniors, and introduced innovative initiatives like Project Lead the Way (PLTW) and renowned literacy programs. Priya’s efforts have focused on fostering positive school climates, designing state-of-the-art classrooms, and strengthening English Learner programs. As Superintendent, she has spearheaded early literacy initiatives and is leading her district through strategic planning, ensuring a clear vision for student success. She continues to drive meaningful change by fostering innovation, closing achievement gaps, and ensuring equitable education for all students.

< Back Thomas Dillon Associate Lt. Tom Dillon is a decorated law enforcement officer, a renowned school security consultant, and a former public school Director of Safety and Security where he oversaw the development of safety and security plans, and conducted vulnerability assessments that conform to the All Hazard Plan that was instituted as a result of the Sandy Hook tragedy. Over the previous 25 years, Tom served as a Police Officer and various other law enforcement roles. This included the regional SWAT Team for approximately five years where he was promoted to the rank of Detective. As a Detective, Tom was a founding member of the Mid-State Narcotics Task Force, and a member of a regional Major Crime Unit before being promoted to the rank of Sergeant. As a Sergeant, Tom was assigned as a Patrol Shift Supervisor. After approximately five years as a Sergeant, Tom was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant and assigned as the Commander of the Detective Division where he directly supervised seven detectives. At the same time, Tom was placed in command of the Mid-State Narcotics Task Force and the Capitol Region Emergency Services Task Force Search & Rescue Dive Team. Both task forces placed Tom in command of numerous police officers for Hartford CT area police departments. Tom remained the Detective Division commander until his retirement from the Wethersfield Police Department in September 2010. As a member of the Wethersfield Police Department, Tom received numerous commendations for his investigative abilities and numerous self-initiated felony investigations. These self-initiated investigations resulted in the arrests and conviction of numerous individuals for major felonies such as homicide, bank robbery, large-scale bank frauds, narcotic violations and burglary. Through the use of confidential informants for twenty years, Tom solved dozens of felony cases not only for Wethersfield PD but for other Hartford area Police Departments where no suspect existed. During Tom’s 25-year career with the Wethersfield Police Department, Tom has been awarded numerous commendations from the FBI and DEA for his work in narcotics enforcement and bank robbery. Tom was also elected as the Town of Wethersfield Public Safety Officer of the Year, and the Wethersfield Police Department’s Medal of Merit on three occasions and the police department’s Medal of Valor.

Services Strategic Planning Engaging Zeal Education Group for your strategic planning process unlocks a streamlined, impactful approach tailored to drive organizational success. At the heart of our methodology is a commitment to clarity and actionable insights, epitomized by our focus on crafting a concise, one-page strategic plan. This user-friendly blueprint distills complex strategies into actionable initiatives, ensuring alignment, accessibility, and engagement across all organizational levels. By partnering with us, you benefit from a tailored strategic planning experience that prioritizes simplicity, alignment, and execution, enabling your institution to navigate challenges effectively and capitalize on opportunities for sustained growth and excellence. Mike Tyson, the World Heavyweight Boxing Champion, famously remarked, "Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the face." This sentiment underscores the inherent challenges of strategic planning, especially when such initiatives often become static documents relegated to dusty shelves. At Zeal Education Group, we redefine strategic planning by crafting dynamic, adaptable, and stakeholder-committed roadmaps that truly resonate with high-performing organizations. Our approach ensures that strategic plans are not just documents but living frameworks that evolve with your organization's needs and aspirations. Our tailored strategic planning process typically encompasses: Needs Analysis: A thorough assessment of the district's unique requirements and challenges to inform strategic direction. Inspiring Workshops: Engaging sessions designed to inform and inspire stakeholders, fostering commitment to transformative change. Concise Strategic Blueprint: Crafting a clear, concise, and actionable one-page strategic plan that serves as a guiding beacon for organizational endeavors. Measurable Milestones: Establishing measurable goals and key performance indicators (KPIs) to facilitate ongoing monitoring, evaluation, and refinement. Board-Level Accountability: Implementing a robust platform and system to ensure board-level accountability, transparency, and alignment with strategic objectives. By partnering with Zeal Education Group, you empower your organization to transcend traditional planning pitfalls and cultivate a strategic roadmap that drives sustainable growth, innovation, and excellence in today's dynamic educational landscape. Schedule Your FREE Confidential Consultation OUR PROMISE We understand that our clients are not just districts and schools, but ultimately the students that they are designed to serve. As fellow educators, we are committed to acting with integrity, honesty, a nd transp arency. Zeal is unlike any other consulting firm because we guarantee complete and total satisfaction on any service we provide, or we will start over. Learn more about our other services: Community Engagement Gain deep insights into what your community is saying Learn More Superintendent Searches Attract the most ideal candidates for those key positions Learn More Board Governance Training Function as a high-performing Board and Superintendent team Learn More Strategic Communications Ensure your most important messages are received Learn More Leadership Coaching Bespoke coaching for all levels of leadership Learn More

< 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.

Why Zeal - Dedicated to students, integrity, and excellence. We go beyond districts and schools, ensuring satisfaction with transparency and commitment. Why the name, Zeal? Pronunciation: noun \ zeel \ Definition: To have fervor for a cause; an eager desire; enthusiastic diligence. Zeal Education Group was founded to inspire fresh solutions to education-industry challenges. Our diverse, nationwide team of leaders bring centuries of experience as principals, directors, superintendents, commissioners, professors, authors, and thought leaders. Our team is not only exceptionally qualified to provide the services we offer, but we are zealous about the work we do. We guarantee you will be satisfied with the results, or we will start over. OUR PROMISE We understand that our clients are not just districts and schools, but ultimately the students that they are designed to serve. As fellow educators, we are committed to acting with integrity, honesty, and transparency. Zeal is unlike any other consulting firm because we guarantee complete and total satisfaction on any service we provide, or we will start over.