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< 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 Stephanie Bell Associate Dr. Stephanie Bell has been an educator for almost 30 years having taught both general and special education students throughout grades PS-5. She has also held administrative positions in both public and private institutions for the past 11 years, where she currently serves as an Elementary Principal in a high-performing district in Westchester County, New York. Stephanie is a published author on topics such as project-based learning and diversity and is a sought after speaker and presenter at regional and national conferences. She is also an adjunct professor of education, teaching courses in early childhood, literacy and reading disorders. Dr. Bell earned a dual masters degree in elementary and special education from Manhattanville college and a doctorate in Instructional Leadership from Western Connecticut State University.

Safety & Security Audits In a 2024 article, The Washington Post reported that more than 383,000 students have experienced gun violence at school since the Columbine High School massacre in 1999. Data from a national database shows a dramatic increase in school shootings since the Sandy Hook tragedy in 2012, with over 1,800 incidents recorded between 2012 and 2024. Even students not directly impacted by school violence often attend classes in fear. A Pew Research Center study found that 57% of American teenagers worry about the possibility of a shooting occurring at their school. These alarming statistics underscore the urgent need for school districts to implement comprehensive safety measures to protect students and staff. Our team consists of experienced school leaders with military and law enforcement backgrounds, uniquely equipping them to address these critical security challenges. As superintendents conducting comprehensive audits with the support of highly trained law enforcement personnel, our unique perspective stems from firsthand experience leading educational institutions. This direct involvement allows us to approach audits with a practical understanding of school dynamics, challenges, and needs. Leveraging this deep-rooted insight, we tailor actionable strategies that prioritize safety, efficiency, and institutional excellence. Our superintendent-centric approach ensures a nuanced, stakeholder-informed audit that addresses real-world complexities, enabling schools and districts to proactively enhance their security and operational frameworks effectively. Our comprehensive audits can be structured to include any or all of the following: Safety Plan Audit: Conduct a comprehensive review of your school or district's existing safety measures. Facility Assessment: Perform on-site evaluations of each school and building to identify strengths and areas for improvement. Stakeholder Engagement: Facilitate individual interviews and focus groups with key personnel to pinpoint vulnerabilities. Infrastructure Review: Scrutinize surveillance camera placements, signage, and align with architectural blueprints for optimal security. Cost Analysis & Recommendations: Provide a detailed cost breakdown and prioritize actionable strategies to enhance safety protocols. Confidential Reporting: Deliver a comprehensive, confidential report designed to fortify campus safety and security. Ongoing Support: Extend continuous support and consultation to ensure sustained security enhancements. Our dedicated team is prepared to execute a thorough audit of your school or district, prioritizing the safety and well-being of students and staff. The confidential report we provide will offer actionable and cost-effective recommendations, instilling unparalleled peace of mind within your school community. 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: Fine Arts Increase engagement and participation Learn More Financial & HR Optimize your human and fiscal resources at the school and district levels Learn More Technology Modernize your infrastructure to future standards 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 Mark Pompano Associate Mark Pompano currently serves as the Director of Security for the Newtown Public Schools in Newton, CT. The tragedy at Sandy Hook that toop place in 2012 affected Mark on both a professional and personal level, as the School’s Principal, Dawn Hotchsprung, was his longtime hometown friend and high school classmate. As a result of the Sandy Hook tragedy, Mark now supervises a staff of 20 school security officers whose primary mission is to ensure the safety and well-being of children, students, faculty, and staff members throughout the Newtown School District. Prior to his position in Newtown, Mr. Pompano has served in various law enforcement roles on both coasts of the United States. Mark was a key member of the Statewide Narcotics Task Force (SNTF) where he served as an undercover operative and narcotics investigator. During his 3 year assignment to SNTF, Mark also served as an undercover operative with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). Upon the successful completion of his assignment with SNTF, Mark returned to the Naugatuck Police Department where he worked as a Detective, Youth Officer, Patrol Officer, and quickly promoted to the rank of Sergeant, where he performed the duties and responsibilities of Shift Supervisor. As a member of the Los Angels Police Deptartment, Central Division, Mark’s preliminary investigation and his discovery of crucial evidence at a gruesome downtown LA murder scene led to the subsequent identification, arrest, and conviction of Chester Turner, who remains to this day, LA’s most prolific serial killer. It also led to the release of a man who was wrongly convicted and imprisoned for a murder actually committed by Chester Turner. During his time with the LAPD, Mark worked with many different divisions and specialized units. Mark was later promoted to the rank of Sergeant, where he served as a Field Supervisor, Assistant Watch Commander, Officer-in-Charge of the Pacific Division Career Criminal Detail, Internal Affairs Investigator, Internal Affairs Advocate, Consent Decree Coordinator, and as Officer-in-Charge of the Pacific Division Senior Lead/Community Relations Office.

< Back Michael Barcadepone Senior Associate Dr. Michael J. Barcadepone is a career educator with over 25 years’ experience serving as a teacher, assistant principal, principal, and current superintendent. He is a visionary leader in the field of education, with experience in transforming spaces into hubs of innovation and engagement. With a passion for creating dynamic learning environments, Dr. Barcadepone has spearheaded the development of cutting-edge school designs that integrate student input, advanced technology, and collaborative spaces. Dr. Barcadepone blends a background in construction with a vision for 21st Century classrooms, enabling school districts and construction professionals to speak a common language. Central to Dr. Barcadepone's leadership philosophy is his belief in empowering students as co-creators of their educational experience. Under their guidance, student-led advisory panels have played a pivotal role in shaping curriculum enhancements, extracurricular offerings, and campus improvements. This inclusive approach has fostered a culture of shared ownership and pride among students, staff, and the school community. Dr. Barcadepone’s trailblazing efforts have garnered national recognition, including from DA (District Administration). An advocate for reimagining K-12 education, Dr. Barcadepone continues to inspire others to dream bigger for the future of learning. Dr. Barcadepone earned a doctorate from Seton Hall University in Educational Leadership. In addition, he holds two Master’s Degrees with a focus on mathematics, science, and technology.

< Back Ebony Lanford-Brown Associate Ebony Langford-Brown is a seasoned education executive with over three decades of leadership experience in curriculum development, school improvement, and strategic program implementation. With a passion for fostering student success and empowering leaders, Ebony has directed impactful initiatives across school systems, enhancing academic outcomes for over 60,000 students. She is an expert in leadership development, budget management, and culturally responsive education, with a proven ability to drive systemic change through data-driven decision-making and cross-functional collaboration. As the executive director of curriculum, instruction, and assessment in a large suburban public school system in Maryland, she provided supervision and oversight for the development and implementation of Pre-K – 12 curriculum. Her former positions include administrative director of elementary schools, director of instruction and achievement, school principal, and elementary teacher. Ebony holds a B.S. in elementary education from the University of Maryland—College Park, an M.A. in sociology and education from the Teacher’s College at Columbia University, and is pursuing her doctoral degree at Bowie State University. Known as a transformational leader, she is committed to creating equitable, innovative, and sustainable educational solutions.

< Back David Pinder Senior Associate Over the last 22 years, Dr. Pinder has worked to advance outcomes for students and industry through the work of leadership and staff development. He has served as a teacher, department chair, assistant principal, principal, executive director, instructional superintendent, and Chief of Leadership Development. Pinder has consulted with numerous districts, industry leaders, and universities in leadership development design and effective human capital practices achieving outstanding results. He has served as adjunct faculty for American University and Johns Hopkins University, teaching principles of leadership and policy. Dr. Pinder has also spearheaded research around efficacy and its impact on leadership effectiveness. Dr. Pinder believes that talent development, strong systems, and leadership pathways are the most important resources for any organization to accelerate results. Dr. Pinder earned a doctorate from Johns Hopkins University in 2017 in Entrepreneurial Leadership in Education. He has also received training in equity leadership through the Harvard University Superintendent’s Institute (2018). Most recently, Dr. Pinder received a certificate in educational finance from Georgetown University. Dr. Pinder has received numerous recognitions for his work in leadership including the Education Champion, America Achieves (2009-2014), Principal of the Year, DC Public Schools (2012), National Blue Ribbon Award Principal (20120, Alternative Educator of the Year, Baltimore County Public Schools (2004).

< 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 Coretta Martin Associate Coretta Martin brings to the table a unique blend of skills that encompass leadership and team management, special education compliance and effectiveness, academic pedagogy and curriculum development, professional development and equity through the K-12 school system. Her journey is distinguished by a proven track record of adeptly leading school systems, launching transformative EdTech products, and skillfully managing teams. During her time as Chief Academic Officer, Coretta's responsibilities included overseeing academic leaders and ensuring coordination among cross-functional teams covering teaching and learning, data and technology, equity and engagement, compliance and development, as well as board management. She has also gained valuable expertise through consultancy roles at TNTP and Inspiring Teachers, where she provided guidance to district leaders, conducted curriculum and pedagogy training, and designed professional development programs for educators globally, incorporating culturally relevant best practices for adult learning. Coretta's commitment to education extends beyond her professional accomplishments; her educational journey reflects a relentless dedication to lifelong learning and academic excellence. She earned a BS from Howard University and an MA from the University of Southern California. Currently, she is pursuing a Master of Liberal Arts in Global Development at Harvard University, further expanding her knowledge in the field of global education. Additionally, Coretta has earned several graduate certifications, including a Social Justice Certificate from Harvard, a Project-Based Learning Certificate from the University of Pennsylvania, a Data, Economics, and Development Policy MicroMasters from MITx, and the completion of a National Initiative Fellowship with Yale University's Department of Mathematics.

Strategic Communications Zeal Education Group stands ready to deliver customized communication solutions meticulously designed to align with your school or district's unique requirements. Whether you require immediate support to craft precise messaging for pressing issues or seek a holistic approach to enhance stakeholder engagement, we have you covered. Our expertise extends from addressing acute communication needs on an ad-hoc basis to collaboratively developing comprehensive communication strategies, encompassing web and social media enhancements, to ensure consistent, impactful, and aligned messaging across all platforms. In a pivotal 1990 study by Elizabeth Newton at Stanford University, a fascinating phenomenon known as "the curse of knowledge" was identified. This concept highlights the tendency for communicators to inadvertently overlook their inherent background knowledge, leading them to overestimate the clarity and effectiveness of their messaging to listeners. Our team comprises seasoned district and school leaders adept at navigating this very challenge. Leveraging our extensive experience, we are uniquely positioned to support your communication needs, whether you're looking to craft a comprehensive strategy or address immediate communication hurdles. Key aspects of our expertise encompass: Communication Audit: Thorough evaluation of your current communication strategies to identify strengths, areas for improvement, and alignment with organizational goals. Strategic Communication Planning: Development of comprehensive communication plans infused with stakeholder engagement initiatives, ensuring alignment with your school or district's objectives and values. Training & Best Practices: Provision of targeted training sessions focused on enhancing communication effectiveness, equipping your team with essential skills and strategies to foster clarity, engagement, and alignment across diverse audiences. Hiring us ensures expert guidance in optimizing communication strategies, fostering stakeholder engagement, and equipping your team with essential skills for impactful outcomes. 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 Board Governance Training Function as a high-performing Board and Superintendent team Learn More 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 Strategic Planning Develop a one-page plan that is actionable and impactful Learn More Leadership Coaching Bespoke coaching for all levels of leadership Learn More

< Back Jeff Melendez Founder & CEO Dr. Jeff Melendez is the Founder and CEO of Zeal Education Group, a consulting firm committed to providing fresh solutions to education-industry challenges. Jeff’s experience includes 25 years of public school service in high-performing districts throughout Westchester County, New York and Fairfield County, Connecticut, with six years in the role of superintendent. In addition to his K-12 experiences, Jeff has served as an Adjunct Professor at Teachers College, Columbia University for over a decade. Beyond his direct work in schools, Jeff is also the founder and CEO of several for profit and non-profit organizations with missions to serve youth, leaders, and other organizations. These include leadnexus.org , a 501(c)3 organization which endeavors to provide coaching services to all school leaders at no cost. Jeff also actively serves on the advisory board to several Ed Tech companies. Dr. Melendez is the co-author of a chapter entitled Design for Safety: Balancing Physical and Psychological Considerations in A New Language for School Design, edited by Prakash Nair, AIA and Dr. Parul Minas. 2023. Jeff earned his M.A., Ed.M., and Ed.D. from Teachers College, Columbia University, and is certified by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBTPS).

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