Strategy. Improvement. Innovation.

EdImpact's mission is to empower school districts and educational institutions through innovative, data-driven strateiges that enhance student performance. EdImpact specializes in the professional development of superintendents and school leaders, focusing on systems that drive measurable improvements in student outcomes. Through the integration of cutting-edge technologies like artificial intelligence, instruction is strengthened and enables personalized learning experiences. EdImpact's committment extends to the design of learning environments that inspire collaboration, creativity, and inclusivity -- promoting student engagement and well-being. By leveraging strategic partnerships with the corporate sector, the gap between the classroom experience and real-world applications is bridged, creating curricula that aligns with industry needs and equips students for an ever-evolving global landscape.
Leadership Coaching
Cultivate self-confidence in your school or district leadership, uncover areas for improvement, and learn to effectively navigate complex decisions. Exercise skills of emotional intelligence, guiding stakeholders through change and periods of uncertainty. Foster a collaborative and positive organizational environment through shared leadership and stakeholder involvement.
Develop professional goals for accountability of school improvement, including metrics and success indicators.
Maintain a healthy balance between work and personal life, prioritize self-care and well-being that supports long-term success.
Learning Space Design
Facilitate collaboration between educators, architects, and stakeholders to ensure learning environments meet the evolving needs of students and teachers.
Integrate principles of neuroarchitecture to create environments that promote student engagement and well-being by enhancing sensory stimulation, natural light, and spatial flow.
Advise on design spaces that support diverse teaching styles and learning modalities, ensuring inclusivity for all students.
Ensure spaces are adaptable, flexible, and conducive to 21st-century learning, supporting collaboration, creativity, and critical thinking.
Consult district leadership on pertinent communications of facility developments to stakeholders.
Organizational Structure and System Effectivenes
Evaluate effectiveness of organizational structure, department goals, and employee roles.
Establish and sustain a clear sense of direction for school/district programming and departments.
Ensure budgetary alignment to school/district goals and establish metrics for return on investments.
Develop systems for accountability of department, school, and district goals; advise on periodic and annual reports to identified stakeholder groups.
Design effective structures to deliver pertinent and timely communication to stakeholders across the organization.
SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT
Design leadership teams to effectively implement improvement plans and solve problems collectively.
Train teams in understanding state accountability system and status of schools within accountability indicators; determine achievement gaps and areas for improvement.
Develop annual school/district goals based on needs identified in state school accountability system; determine benchmarks to monitor progress.
Review district grants to ensure alignment of expenditures to meet the needs identified in school improvement plans; ensure equitable financial allocations to schools.
Create communications around achievement results and improvement plans for identified stakeholder groups (Board of Education, school staff, district families/community).

Allison Sherman

Allison Sherman is a dynamic and experienced leader in the education sector, specializing in systems improvement, leadership and curriculum development, and innovative program design.
With over two decades of experience in educational leadership, Allison has played pivotal roles in transforming educational outcomes at various levels, from district administration to state executive leadership.
As a former school superintendent, Allison successfully led her district through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. She carefully exercised change management skills to collaboratively build new systems and programs with stakeholders, ensuring all students were learning at their potential. Under her leadership, the district achieved significant improvements in student performance in four years, receiving the National Blue Ribbon Award and Exemplary Designation (top 5% ranking in the state) in 2024.
Previously, Allison served as the Executive Director of school improvement and accountability at the Illinois State Board of Education, where she spearheaded the implementation of the Illinois Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) Support and Accountability Plan. Her efforts directly impacted over 700+ of the state’s lowest-performing schools, driving improvement initiatives and advocating for equitable student outcomes. The system she led for school improvement remains intact today, proven to positively impact the learning outcomes for students throughout the state. Her passion for innovation in education is most exemplified in her work as the Founding Director of a first-of-kind STEM Partnership School (Grades 3-8) at a local university. She led the launch of a transformative STEM school model in partnership with business leaders, educators, and the university. Allison collaborated with the school stakeholders, the Governor, and legislators on both sides of the aisle to create a new school code that would allow the creation of a novel "partnership" school in the state of Illinois.
Allison received her Master's Degree from Stanford University in Education Policy and Leadership, and Bachelor's in Elementary Education from the University of Michigan. She holds a Chief School Business Official (CSBO) endorsement from Northern Illinois University and a certificate of High Performance Executive Leadership training from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.

What people say

Allison understands systems and can identify strengths and gaps in your organization that are impeding your ability to meet goals for student learning. She is skilled at aligning departments, employee roles, and budgets to the goals we have for students, helping us actualize our mission! Leslie Weber Assistant Superintendent for Teaching and Learning Marquardt School District 15
EdImpact, under Allison’s leadership, stands as a crucial partner for districts aiming to harness the power of AI to transform teaching and learning. Her ability to develop professional development initiatives tailored to the needs of superintendents and school leaders is unparalleled, making her an asset to any district seeking to navigate the evolving landscape of AI in education. Becky Mack Senior Director of Implementation Writable - Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Labs
Allison is a proven expert in strategy to improve schools. Not only did she design and lead the system of support for the lowest performing schools across Illinois, but she lived out these practices as a superintendent, achieving national recognition for growth in student performance. I'd recommend her to work with any school wanting to improve outcomes for students!
Cathie Weber, PhD Educational Consultant Education Lane

The Blog

Schedule a consultation