Chris Perry draws upon his experience as a teacher and working on several state and federally funded school improvement projects that provide technical assistance to districts and educators to address the academic, behavioral, social emotional, and mental health needs of the students they serve. Additionally, Chris has served on his local School Board since 2017, and guided several private and public school systems through the Kansas Education System Accreditation (KESA) process. With Cultivate, Chris serves as Executive Director where he supports partner schools/districts in achieving their improvement goals by using the principles of implementation science to address areas of need, and to cultivate, replicate and highlight successes in enhancing student learning. Click here for the LinkedIn page to learn more about Chris.

James Baker has spent more than 35 years in Kansas Education, including teaching multiple grade levels and as a principal  of an elementary school. James was a founding member of the Kansas Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) Team aiding in the creation and implementation of the nationally recognized Kansas MTSS model. Since 2006, James has served as a MTSS trainer. This has allowed James great insight and understanding in the needs of Preschool through High School in the development and support of students, educational leaders, teachers, and Boards of Education, in the implementation and sustainability of the MTSS model and other educational initiatives. James looks forward to offering his support to School Districts, leaders and Educators. 

Areas of expertise and concentration:

• • • Working with Leaders for better student outcomes while building open, honest, and trusting relationships with educators to promote meaningful collaboration
    • Coaching district level teams in refinement and improvement of established systems for academics and behavior.
    • Listening thoughtfully to the needs of educators while aligning their vision with evidence-based processes and practices.
    • Supporting educators in the improving instruction and alignment of instruction.
    • Supporting educators to improved Reading, Math and Behavioral outcomes.
    • Cultivating and improving district, building and classroom culture.
    • Refining and supporting Data-Based Decision Making.
    • Comfort in working with small rural district and large urban districts.
    • Building collaboration between General Education/ Special Education/ Title programs to assure more efficient systems of support. (Working smarter not harder.)
    • Assuring that the prescribed curriculum truly meets the needs of students in the MTSS.
    • Facilitation and personalized reflection by examining and discovering strengths and concerns for systemic processes to sustain a MTSS framework at the district, building and classroom level. 

Lea Ann Combs has spent 37 years in education, most recently as an elementary school principal. She has also served as a special education coordinator, early childhood coordinator, PBIS coordinator, behavior specialist, and special education teacher of students with all types of disabilities. Additionally, Lea Ann has extensive training in MTSS/RtI, PBIS, Professional Learning Communities (PLC), school safety, trauma informed care, Crisis Prevention Intervention (CPI), Ruby Payne’s “Understanding Poverty,” and Ross Greene’s “Collaborative Problem Solving.” She is currently retired from the public school system and is an educational consultant. Click here for the LinkedIn page to learn more about Lea Ann. 

Chris Cooper has spent the last 30 years working as a teacher, coach, building administrator, assistant superintendent, and superintendent in schools.  He recently made a change to become a full-time trainer, coach, and implementation consultant.   As a building administrator, he has K-8 experience with the bulk being at an elementary school where he served as principal for fourteen years. As an assistant superintendent, he led all district teaching, learning, and professional development.   Mr. Cooper has been active across Kansas as:

• • • TASN Co-Teaching State Trainer
    • Kansas College and Career Competencies State Trainer, Online Instructor, and Coach
    • McRel Classroom Instruction That Works Trainer
    • School Improvement Visiting Team Member and Chair

Chris’ other areas of expertise in professional learning and coaching include: 

• • • Classroom Management Structures and Coaching K-12
    • Effective Instructional Strategies / Training Instructional Coaches
    • Facilitating Difficult Conversations 
    • Effective Implementation and De-Implementation of Initiatives / Systems Change Process
    • Curriculum Adoption & Alignment
    • Inquiry Cycles / Data-Based Decision Making

Throughout his career, he has mentored and coached numerous leaders in Kansas and beyond.  He has also served KSDE as a technology mentor for fellow administrators and on the Commissioner’s Superintendent’s advisory council.  Mr. Cooper currently serves on the Kansas Learning Forward State Board.  Chris has presented at various regional, state, and national conferences on a wide range of topics including technology integration, scheduling, utilizing one-to-one devices, effective instruction, co-teaching, implementation science, and social-emotional learning. 

In his spare time, Chris enjoys spending time with his wife, five kids, four grandkids, country life, and exercise activities.  Discussions at his home are often centered around teaching reading and school improvement as his wife is a Kansas MTSS and Alignment state reading trainer.  His community involvement includes serving as a praise band leader, recreation coach, board member for local community organizations, and state health and wellness organizations.