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< 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

< Back Michael Zarchin Associate Dr. Mike Zarchin has proudly served public schools for 31 years in suburban, urban and rural settings in Maryland. As Chief of Schools in Baltimore County Public Schools, Mike was responsible for the leadership and safety of 176 schools and programs. He also served as Chief of School Climate and Safety where he was responsible for school safety, student services, and school climate initiatives. Mike has extensive experience supervising, coaching, and mentoring principals through his work in Montgomery County Public Schools as Director of School Support and Improvement and as a Consulting Principal. In his six years as a middle school principal in Bethesda, Maryland, the performance of every student group showed notable increases on state assessments. The outstanding work of the staff resulted in improved performance of students. Under Mike’s leadership the school received designation as a National Blue Ribbon School. He was awarded with the Mark Mann Excellence and Harmony Award and he earned recognition from Johns Hopkins University for significant gains in the performance of historically underachieving students. Mike is passionate about building the capacity of school leaders and establishing safe and positive school environments where students excel intellectually, socially, and emotionally. Mike earned his Ed.D. from Walden University, M.A. from Johns Hopkins University, and B.S. from the University of Dayton.

< Back Brian Colomban Associate Brian serves as the Assistant Superintendent for Data and Instruction in the Diocese of Rockville Centre in Long Island, New York. He oversees curriculum development, supports instructional practices, and defines school and Diocesan-wide goals through assessment data for all 31 elementary schools across Nassau and Suffolk counties. He has implemented a number of new programs in his three years in this role, including a yearlong, Middle School project-based-learning initiative, a Response to Intervention pilot program, and has reimagined the Curriculum Lead Team, which is comprised of over 30 highly effective teachers from across Long Island’s Catholic Schools. Brian has spent his entire 15 year career in Catholic education, and before his current role served as a principal and teacher. He brings a unique perspective as a private-sector educational leader, though his experience in curriculum development and team building would be a support to any building or district leader across the spectrum of education. Brian has presented on data-driven decision making at multiple conferences, including the 2023 ACE Conference hosted at Notre Dame University and at the 2024 NCEA Conference in Pittsburgh. Brian holds a BA in English and Creative Writing from Binghamton University, an M.S. Ed. in 7-12 Adolescent Education from St. John’s University, and an Advanced Certificate in School Building and School District Leadership from Hunter College.

Fine Arts Audits At Zeal Education Group, we know that arts education is more than an enrichment—it’s a core component of student identity, expression, and engagement. Whether it’s visual art, music, dance, or theater, strong fine arts programs contribute to school culture, foster creativity, and support academic achievement. Yet many districts lack a clear understanding of how equitable, accessible, and effective their arts programs truly are. Our Fine Arts Audit helps schools and districts take stock of what’s working, what’s missing, and where to invest. By examining curriculum, participation, resources, and community feedback, we support school leaders in elevating arts education as a strategic priority—and an essential part of a well-rounded student experience. Our Approach: Program & Curriculum Assessment: We review existing fine arts offerings—including visual arts, music, dance, and theater—to evaluate alignment with national and state standards, instructional rigor, and accessibility across grade levels. We assess enrollment trends and identify equity gaps in student participation. Resource & Facility Analysis: Zeal examines staffing levels, scheduling practices, facility access, and budgets dedicated to fine arts. We assess whether current resources meet the needs of students and staff, and provide recommendations to enhance instruction and learning environments. Stakeholder Engagement & Advocacy: Through surveys, focus groups, and interviews, we engage students, families, educators, and community members to gather insights and elevate support for arts education. We also help districts build strategic advocacy plans to expand and sustain programming. Strategic Recommendations: Our team synthesizes findings into a clear, actionable report with recommendations tailored to your district’s goals, challenges, and values—empowering leaders to strengthen arts programming through short- and long-term improvements. By partnering with Zeal Education Group, your school or district can ensure that fine arts programs are equitable, high-quality, and aligned to your broader educational vision—providing every student with the opportunity to explore, create, and thrive. 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: Technology Modernize your infrastructure to future standards Learn More Special Education & MTSS Identify the strengths and opportunities that will improve your programs Learn More Organizational Effectiveness Clarify roles and responsibilities to promote a stronger organization Learn More Board Policy Still have policies from the 80's? We can help! Learn More

< Back Richard Jones Associate With over 50 years in education, Dick is a passionate advocate for Career and Technical Education (CTE). He began his career as a high school agriculture teacher and has recently dedicated his work to integrating CTE with academic learning. As the co-author/editor of Synergizing Success (ACTE) and 15 other books on instruction and leadership, he continues to shape the future of education. Dick teaches graduate courses in Education Leadership at Lynn University and has worked with educators in all 50 states and internationally. A former New York State Education Department leader, he remains committed to school improvement, innovation, and lifelong learning. He has received his BS. M.S. and Ph.D. degrees from Cornell University.

Cyber Security Audits Many education systems lack comprehensive cybersecurity strategies and funding, rely on outdated technology, and have limited cybersecurity expertise, making them highly vulnerable to attacks. Technology is also outpacing the ability of districts to govern emerging technologies, including AI. In addition, many districts lack adequate cyber insurance coverage, leaving them financially vulnerable when an incident occurs. These factors create a challenging environment for implementing and maintaining effective cybersecurity programs. Addressing these challenges requires not only funding and skilled personnel but also a cultural shift towards prioritizing cybersecurity as an integral part of management of the learning environment. K-12 school districts face increasing cyber threats, from ransomware attacks to data breaches that expose sensitive student and staff information. Limited budgets, aging infrastructure, and a shortage of cybersecurity expertise leave many districts vulnerable—both technologically and financially. At the same time, cyber insurance providers are tightening requirements, making it harder to secure affordable coverage. We help districts take a proactive approach to cybersecurity by: Developing Risk Management Capacity Helping districts establish risk management practices to evaluate and adapt to evolving threats. Providing guidance on cybersecurity governance, ensuring clear roles and accountability. Equipping IT and administrative teams wit tools and strategies to manage cyber risk effectively. Identifying & Understanding Cyber Risks Conducting comprehensive risk assessments to uncover vulnerabilities in networks, data protection, and system access. Providing a prioritized security roadmap to help districts address the most critical threats first. Ensuring compliance with relevant regulations and cybersecurity frameworks. Building a Security Program That Reduces Risk Developing and updating critical policies, including: Incident Response Plans – Enabling a structured response to minimize downtime and financial impact. Acceptable Use & BYOD Policies – Establishing guidelines for device usage to prevent security. Protection Access Control Policies –Safeguarding sensitive student and staff data. Delivering staff and leadership training to strengthen cyber awareness and response readiness. Engaging Boards of Education to make cybersecurity a strategic priority. Navigating Cyber Insurance & Financial Risk Transfer No-cost, no-obligation cyber insurance reviews to ensure your district has adequate coverage. Guidance on meeting insurer security requirements to lower premiums and prevent claim denials. By integrating cybersecurity, risk management, and insurance planning, we help districts protect operations, ensure compliance, and build long-term resilience. Let’s work together to strengthen your district’s cybersecurity posture. 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 Safety & Security Ensure your staff and students are safe and secure 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 Organizational Effectiveness Clarify roles and responsibilities to promote a stronger organization Learn More

Services Superintendent Searches Our nationwide team possesses a wealth of experience and a vast network of personal and professional relationships within the education sector, uniquely positioning us to assist Boards and school leaders in filling critical positions effectively. Recognizing the sensitive nature of roles like Superintendent and Head of School, our seasoned team of former superintendents brings invaluable insights and expertise to ensure a discreet and confidential search process. Their firsthand experience navigating the complexities of these high-stakes positions ensures that candidates are vetted thoroughly and selected with utmost care. Additionally, for specialized roles such as Director of Special Education and Finance, which present distinct challenges in recruitment, our extensive connections with state and national organizations prove invaluable. By leveraging these strategic partnerships, we can tap into a pool of highly qualified candidates, ensuring that your school or district secure leaders with the specialized skills and expertise required to drive success in these critical areas. Selecting Zeal Education Group for your superintendent or key personnel search unlocks a wealth of advantages anchored in unparalleled expertise, expansive network connectivity, and bespoke solutions tailored to your institution's distinct needs and values. Leveraging decades of industry insight and a deep-rooted understanding of educational dynamics, we specialize in orchestrating confidential, thorough searches that resonate with your organization's ethos and objectives. Our robust network and strategic alliances grant us access to a diverse and exceptional talent pool, streamlining the recruitment and vetting journey. Moreover, our steadfast commitment extends beyond the recruitment phase, encompassing ongoing support, professional development, and meticulously crafted entry and strategic plans to facilitate seamless leadership transitions and ensure sustained organizational excellence. Highlighted below are some key features and benefits encapsulated within our service offerings: Community Engagement: Collaborative efforts to identify and prioritize desired leadership characteristics through stakeholder engagement. Candidate Recruitment & Vetting: Comprehensive recruitment processes, including rigorous vetting to identify the most suitable candidates. Interview Facilitation: Seamless coordination and facilitation of interviews and selection processes. Contract Negotiation Assistance: Expert guidance in drafting employment contracts and facilitating salary negotiations, if required. Customized Entry Plan: Design and delivery of tailored entry plans to expedite leadership integration and impact. Strategic Planning Collaboration: Collaborative development and implementation of comprehensive strategic plans aligned with organizational goals. Executive Coaching: Up to 24 months of personalized executive coaching to nurture leadership capabilities and effectiveness. Unlimited Leadership Support: Access to continuous leadership support services, ensuring ongoing growth, alignment, and success. By entrusting Zeal Education Group with your leadership recruitment needs, you position your institution for transformative leadership, sustainable growth, and enduring success in an ever-evolving 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 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 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

Notice of Vacancy Superintendent of Schools Sanborn Regional School District 51 King Street Kingston, NH Start Date July 1, 2026 www.sau17.net email search@zeal-ed.com for information

< Back Dawn Lucarelli Associate Dr. Dawn Lucarelli is a distinguished leadership consultant with a passion for helping Boards of Education find, recruit, and empower exceptional leaders. With a Ph.D. from the College of Notre Dame of Maryland and over 25 years of experience in educational leadership, Dr. Lucarelli has earned a reputation for her strategic insight and results-driven approach. As the former Associate Superintendent for Anne Arundel County Public Schools in Maryland, Dr. Lucarelli successfully oversaw the education of over 84,500 students across 119 schools. Her deep understanding of school systems and leadership dynamics makes her a trusted advisor to Boards of Education seeking top-tier Superintendents. Dr. Lucarelli’s talent for identifying and hiring the right leaders is enhanced by her expertise as a certified Gallup Strengths Coach and her unique background in playing and teaching the game of poker. This combination of skills allows her to guide leaders in exuding confidence, making strategic decisions, and achieving peak performance. With her strengths-based coaching style, Dr. Lucarelli empowers Boards of Education to attract and select candidates who align with their vision and goals. Her comprehensive approach ensures the recruitment of visionary leaders who can effectively address complex challenges and drive organizational success.