Our clients report profound changes in their capacity to learn from data, lead productive meetings, build collaborative practices, and structure powerful learning-focused relationships. Here is a sampling of what they have to say:

As a central office leader, I have worked with MiraVia in three different school districts. One of the greatest strengths from my perspective has been the technical and concrete approach to learning-focused conversations for influencing adult behaviors that improve student performance.

Sito Narcisse, Ed. D, Chief of Schools
Metropolitan Nashville (TN) Public Schools


Our school board is the second largest in Ontario, Canada. The work with MiraVia has transformed a complex organization into a learning organization. The transformation of the ways we work collaboratively to support adults and students is remarkable, and no other professional learning has come close to having the depth of impact.

Shari Nickle
Peel District School Board
Mississauga, Ontario


Our collaboration with MiraVia has developed our capacity as a system to create and sustain a culture of continual learning and improvement. From customized support options to engaging seminars and institutes, we have found the team at MiraVia to be an important partner in the development and implementation of our System of Professional Growth.

Rick Messer, Assistant Superintendent of Secondary Education, San Juan Unified School District and Cheryl Dultz, Facilitator Mentor
System of Professional Growth, San Juan Unified School District


Data-driven Dialogue provides both a foundation for understanding effective collaboration, and a host of “tried and true” practical tools that are ready for group leaders to use. Wellman and Lipton’s combination of strategies, structures, and powerful tips for facilitators make this book the first one I pick from my shelf.

Linda Thorlakson, Staff Officer
The Manitoba Teachers’ Society
Winnipeg, Manitoba


Since 2001, I have co-trained mentors of beginning educators in the state of Iowa utilizing the Mentoring Matters text and training modules. I have witnessed the expansion of the mentors’ skill set as they experience and practice communication strategies incorporated in the training modules. Uniformly mentors have reported that not only were the skills applicable to working with beginning teachers, but also easily transferable to other roles as building leaders, educators, parents, friends, and colleagues.

Pat Shipley, Iowa State Education Association UniServ Director and
Co-trainer, Journey to Excellence, Iowa’s Mentoring and Induction Program


When researching data use best practices, I was introduced to Laura Lipton and Bruce Wellman’s work around collaborative inquiry. Metro Nashville Public Schools uses Leading Groups, Groups at Work, Learning-Focused Supervision, and Data-Driven Dialogue. We appreciate their willingness to collaborate with us to ensure that professional learning truly meets the needs of participants. Not only do they partner with you to teach the process, but provide practical strategies for leading effective data use meetings. Ultimately, their work is about fostering a positive culture that honors and empowers professionals throughout the organization.

Margie Johnson, Ed.D., Collaborative Inquiry Coordinator
Information Management/Decision Support Dept, Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools