Our Impact
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Stories of change in schools
Each of these stories reflects more than individual success, they show what happens when schools shift from compliance to humanistic leadership. When leadership is developed across the system, small changes grow into a movement that reshapes culture and sustains lasting change.
Real change in education is measured in people: teachers rediscovering their voice, students feeling seen and supported, and administrators leading with authenticity. On this page, you’ll find testimonials and case studies that capture these transformations, highlighting not only the challenges schools faced, but the courage, trust, and collaboration that turned them into places of purpose and belonging.
Case Studies
Where human-centered leadership meets real results.
Testimonials
“This session was great. I think it is the best I’ve been to.”
– CASE Conference Participant
"If more school and district leaders adopted the Humanistic Leadership approaches shared in this session, we would have teachers who are more confident and resilient, students who are happy and successful, and learning communities that have more collective efficacy and community connections."
– Alex Carter, Colorado Education Initiative
“Rebecca is truly collaborative, working "with" our team rather than imposing solutions, and she consistently listened to understand our unique challenges and needs. She made everyone feel supported, heard, valued, and cared for throughout the process. Her deep understanding of adult learning theory combined with her expertise in leading transformational change, enabled her to guide our staff effectively through complex system improvements.”
– Marsha, Superintendent
The facilitation supported us as leaders. We are doing a better job at collaborating as a team, we have streamlined our processes. Everyone is empowered to contribute and I have learned so much through the process.
– Erica Brucker Coon - Elk Creek Elementary ELL Teacher
Real Leaders, Real Impact created a space where our classroom teachers could step into leadership and genuinely be heard. The facilitation empowered everyone at the table—including our newest teachers—to contribute meaningful insights, helping us grow a stronger, more collective sense of leadership.
– Justin Bankey - Highland Elementary School Dean Of Students
I find it super valuable when we are able to talk about the actual work. I always feel like I can share my true feelings about things, even if it is not popular or fun to hear.
– Danielle Bailey - Riverside Middle School Assistant Principal
Garfield Re-2 School District
Building a Districtwide K–12 RTI System
Over a four-year period, a mid-sized school district transformed its MTSS team through a Humanistic leadership approach—one grounded in shared leadership, listening, and an unwavering belief in the strengths of the people doing the work.
When the team first came together, they faced a familiar challenge: creating a consistent, K–12 RTI process that honored student needs while unifying practices across multiple schools. Instead of relying on top-down directives, leaders focused on empowering each member of the MTSS team to bring their expertise, voice, and lived experience forward. Meetings shifted from compliance-driven conversations to collaborative problem-solving. Team members reported feeling seen, heard, and trusted.
Over time, this Humanistic approach reshaped the culture of the team. Members practiced honesty, flexibility, and reflective dialogue, which allowed them to navigate challenges without losing sight of the mission: designing and sustaining a responsive, student-centered RTI system. Because decisions were made transparently and collectively, the resulting K–12 RTI process was not only coherent but also deeply owned by the people implementing it.
Four years later, the team remains strong. They operate with authentic collaboration, shared ownership, and a genuine commitment to continual improvement. The RTI system is now understood not as a static framework, but as a continuous cycle of improvement—one that evolves as the needs of students, staff, and schools shift. The work is ongoing, not because it’s unfinished, but because the team believes systems should grow alongside the people they serve.
Humanistic leadership didn’t just shape an RTI process; it built a culture where people feel empowered, connected, and aligned around a common purpose. And that culture continues to drive the work forward today.
This experience helped us move beyond compliance. Our teachers feel empowered, our students feel more connected, and our school has a renewed sense of purpose.
— Janet P.
Ready to Transform Your School?
The most powerful results come when schools take the courageous step to move beyond compliance and build cultures of trust, authenticity, and belonging. If you’re ready to begin that journey, we’d love to hear your story and explore how we can partner with you to create lasting impact.