Elisa B. MacDonald
Skillful Intentional Team Leadership
LEAD teams with intention.
GROW leaders' mindset and skills.
IMPACT teaching and learning.
Invest in team leaders* to strengthen teacher practice,
impact student learning and influence school culture.
* District coordinators, PD specialists, principals, department chairs, instructional coaches, teacher leaders.
Some think of me as"The Team Lady."
Developing team leaders may be what I do, but what drives me is the powerful impact this work has on teaching and learning for both educators and students.
I partner with districts and organizations to empower educators to lead high-functioning, high-impact teacher and leadership teams for learning.
I've trained and developed thousands of teachers, coaches and administrators to become skillful intentional team leaders.
Over the course of my work, I discovered the critical importance of viewing teams through two lenses: how you work together (what I call function), and the outcomes of your collaboration (what I call impact).
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I first published this concept in 2013 in my bestselling book, The Skillful Team Leader, and expanded on the concept in my 2023 bestselling book, Intentional Moves, which holds nearly 150 strategies for leading high-functioning, high-impact teams.
"Every school system should have an Elisa MacDonald."
- Mary Bigelow, Middle school science teacher leader with 28 years teaching experience.
Elisa is ready to help you:
*Teacher leaders, coaches, department chairs, principals, district curriculum coordinators, professional learning developers.
Chief Academic Officer with Principal
Executive VP for Instructional Coaches
"Elisa played a pivotal role in our school being awarded a $900,000 School Redesign grant from the MA Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. She was incredible at leading our Turnaround Team of teacher leaders and administrators in a meaningful, engaging process that resulted in writing a sustainable improvement plan that was a true representation of what our staff, families and community envisioned for our school. Several years later, we are making gains as we implement the plan."
"...our network of instructional coaches found Elisa's insights to be right on target and they wanted more. Elisa tailored each professional learning experience to our specific needs and afterwards, our instructional partners, principals and lead teachers shared that it was exactly what they needed to move forward..."
Cathy Gassenheimer
Executive Vice President
Alabama Best Practices Center
Department Chair on Leadership Team
"... the retreat provided an opportunity to discuss, brainstorm and think deeply about our administrative leadership team without distraction. Elisa balanced learning with real conversations, and I left feeling hopeful and optimistic. The retreat solidified that we are high-functioning and it is ok to be on a continuum."
Beth S.
Counseling Department Chair
Brian Turner
Chief Academic Officer
New Bedford Public Schools
Assistant
Superintendent
Department Head/First Year Teacher Leader
Elisa is a terrifically talented and knowledgeable leader of professional development for teachers, teacher leaders, and school administrators. She is detail-oriented and highly skilled in structuring adult learning to engage educators and help them reflect upon and change their practice. Elisa is the most skilled professional developer that I have worked with in my 20+ year educational career.
Toby Romer
Assistant Superintendent for Secondary Ed & Special Programs
Newton Public Schools
".. (Elisa) yours has been the single most impactful professional development opportunity I've ever participated in. I have found ways to revise my interactions with students and colleagues alike thanks to your thoughtful sessions AND your book, which I consult a LOT, so THANK YOU!
Lauren Ells
ELA Department Head
Foxborough Regional Charter School
Director of Teaching
and Learning
"... What made Elisa such an effective coach was her ability to truly listen... She brought an authenticity and humility to every interaction that immediately built trust.
Beyond her deep knowledge and experience, what I appreciated most was that she never positioned herself as simply giving answers. Instead, she supported me in ways that strengthened my own capacity, confidence, and sense of efficacy as a leader...
Karli Lomax
Director of Teaching and Learning
Georgetown International Academy (Guyana)
