TESTIMONIALS
“Susan and Cheri's facilitation skills were crucial in navigating complex discussions and arriving at a strategic plan that sets the direction for our district's growth and long-term success."
- Michael Marrero, Board President
Strasburg School District 31J
“Our board recently participated in a full-day retreat facilitated by Spark & Compass Consulting, and it was an exceptional experience from start to finish. …The highlight of the day was the development of our Portrait of a School Board Director. Building on the concept of our district's Portrait of a Graduate, Bret guided us through a process that helped define shared expectations, values, and behaviors for how we work together as a board. This framework gave us a common language and a clear, actionable tool that will continue to guide our governance and strengthen our effectiveness as a Board. Bret's ability to connect relationship-building, trust, and governance responsibilities into a cohesive experience made the retreat both impactful and immediately useful.I would highly recommend them to any board seeking deeper alignment, stronger trust, and a more intentional approach to their work together."
- Chérie Garcia-Kuper, Board President
Littleton Public Schools
“Susan brought an expert and thoughtful approach to the facilitation of our Board of Education retreat. Our district uses a somewhat unique governance structure, and Susan was able to adapt her approach to the specifics of our context while bringing her vast personal and professional experience to the table to inform best practices. She excels at making sure that all voices in the room are lifted up, valued and heard. I recommend her highly for facilitation work with your Board!”
- Kate Bartlett, Superintendent
Lake County School District
"Working with Spark & Compass was productive and enjoyable. Cheri and Bret are respectful of board members' busy schedules and responsibilities. Our board gets lots accomplished, and results are measurable and visible. Future action items are clearly laid out with help from Spark & Compass.”
- Ronella Noble, Board Member
Yuma School District 1
“Working with Spark & Compass has been an exceptional experience. I have worked with Bret Miles over the years and am excited about the extensive knowledge and experience the Spark and Compass powerhouse team brings to the table. Their consultants have demonstrated an extraordinary ability to guide our school board through complex and often challenging discussions while ensuring that the goals my Board President and I set were met. Their professionalism, insight, and facilitation skills have fostered productive dialogue and meaningful outcomes.
Their expertise in navigating tough topics has not only strengthened the dynamics within our board but also contributed to achieving clarity and alignment on critical issues. I look forward to having them lead our Cabinet team at our next retreat. I highly recommend Spark and Compass to any organization seeking a skilled partner in facilitation and strategic support.”
- Deirdre Pilch, Ed.D., Superintendent
Greeley-Evans School District 6
“As a new board member, I found the Spark & Compass board retreat to be incredibly valuable and insightful. The experience was eye-opening, particularly in helping me better understand the different personalities and perspectives within our board and how those differences can become strengths when we work together effectively. The retreat provided meaningful opportunities to discuss board governance, establish goals for the superintendent, and clearly define what the superintendent needs from the board—and equally important, what the board needs from the superintendent. These conversations created a stronger understanding of our shared roles and responsibilities. I highly recommend Spark & Compass to any school board looking to strengthen relationships, improve communication, and build a well-rounded, respectful, and high-functioning team. Investing in this type of professional development ultimately helps boards make better decisions and better serve their students, staff, and communities.”
- Courtney Vance, Board Member
Strasburg School District 31J
“We recently had Spark and Compass work with our school board, and I could not be more pleased with the experience. We had three board members reaching their term limits, and we wanted to make sure we captured their knowledge, experience, and institutional expertise before they transitioned off the board.
Bret came in and facilitated a meaningful and productive discussion with our board members. He helped capture their wealth of knowledge and ensured that valuable information and insights were shared with our new board members. This powerful conversation made the transition much smoother and significantly reduced the learning curve for our new members.
I highly recommend reaching out to Spark and Compass if you are looking for ways to strengthen your school board and ensure that valuable institutional knowledge is not lost during board transitions. Give them a call—you will be glad you did!”
- Ben Bauman, Superintendent
Weldon Valley District
Current & Past Clients
