Elisa MacDonald
Developing your team leaders makes everything possible.
School and district priorities move forward when the educators responsible for leading teams have the mindset & skill to do it well.
Elisa MacDonald
Two-time bestselling author, consultant, and always a teacher at heart.
Some think of me as"The Team Lady."
But my work is much more than teaching educators how to facilitate meetings.
I partner with districts, schools and organizations to build leadership capacity, helping teams advance priorities and achieve lasting improvements.
Specializing in:
teacher
leadership
*Teacher leader refers to anyone who facilitates teacher teams, or professional development.
Leadership
Coaching
I partner with individual district and school leaders* to support them in facilitating long-lasting change.
* Such as: Director of teaching and learning, District coordinators, Program directors, Principals, Heads of School.
What district and school leaders say:
"Elisa played a pivotal role in our school being awarded a $900,000 School Redesign grant. 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."
Brian Turner, Chief Academic Officer
"Elisa is the most skilled professional developer that I have worked with in my 20+ year educational career. She 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."
Toby Romer, Assistant Superintendent for Secondary Ed & Special Programs
"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 VP for Instructional Partners
"High quality! I have seen tremendous growth among principals and department leaders."
Sue Cullen, Assistant Superintendent
"Elisa took on an impossible job with our leadership team and handled it with incredible professionalism and humor."
Bonnie H., Elementary Principal
"Elisa did a phenomenal job with our leadership retreat! She purposefully and skillfully brought in a diverse group of stakeholders from our team to develop a day of intentionally crafted activities that led our group of department chairs to a productive and realistic outcome. I feel more hopeful now about our team than I have in a long while."
Suzanne M.F., World Language Department Chair
"What made Elisa such an effective leadership coach was her ability to truly listen... her thoughtful questions consistently prompted meaningful reflection and growth. 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. I left each conversation feeling both supported and more capable."
Karli Lomax, Director of Teaching and Learning
Bestselling Books
by Elisa MacDonald
What respected authors say:
At the core of our work is
Elisa MacDonald's Team Matrix.
Elisa first published this framework in the 2013 bestseller, The Skillful Team Leader which walks readers through scenarios where skillful team leaders navigate hurdles to reach Quadrant 1.
In 2023, Elisa reprinted the MacDonald Team Matrix in the bestseller, Intentional Moves providing readers with close to 150 strategies to become a high-functioning, high-impact team.
Elisa has trained and developed thousands of teacher leaders, coaches and administrators in the mindset, skills and research-backed practices in becoming skillful, intentional team leaders.
What teacher leaders say:
"I've been here 19 years, and I can honestly say that I've learned more from Elisa this past year about leadership then I have in all my time prior. Elisa is a wonderful instructor. This was the BEST PD I have ever been a part of. She wasted no time and I feel like I am a better, more efficient leader...Every one of Elisa's sessions was beneficial. Her message is genuine and useful in both the short term and long term."
Roy Pavao., High School Science Department Head
"Elisa's training 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 her thoughtful leadership sessions and book, which I consult a lot!
Lauren Ells, High School ELA Department Head
"Honestly, one of the BEST presenters I've ever had."
Melissa Batulevitz, Literacy Coach
"Elisa's training has transformed how I think about problem solving in schools, whether it's math, team meetings or social and emotional learning. I am less intimidated when dealing with challenging issues and have a whole new perspective about how to operate in schools."
Georgia N., Math Teacher Leader
"I think I learned the most by just observing Elisa lead us. She is so clearly masterful at this craft! While I was asked to fill this (teacher leadership) role, as opposed to volunteering for it, I think Elisa provided the supports I need to be successful."
Jessie C., Science Teacher Leader
"Elisa, I’ve been carrying our conversation with me all week. It was truly transformative. Thank you for the depth of thought, the intentionality, and the care you put into our sessions. Thank you also for the detailed notes and reflections in our shared doc. I’ve read through them several times already. The way you captured the nuances of our conversation and translated them into actionable next steps is such a gift. It’s giving me a new lens through which to think about leadership."
Connie Hur, Grade 4 Teacher Leader
"This experience was so rewarding on so many levels. It was the first time that department meetings had value and I looked forward to each meeting. Elisa's coaching was superb and sorely missed when it was over...
Every school system should have an Elisa MacDonald!"
Mary Buttileigri, Middle School Science Teacher Leader
Watch Elisa
on Peter DeWitt and Mike Nelson's
"Leaders Coaching Leaders" podcast.
