About Us
Learning-Focused is dedicated to improving the quality of teaching and learning.
We help you create an academically driven culture focused on improving student achievement. Our training reflects the needs of educators and school leaders in the current climate.
Over 30 years ago, Dr. Max Thompson had an idea.
Instead of showing up at a school, giving a talk, and calling it good, teacher training should be an ongoing partnership. That was Dr. Thompson’s idea, and it’s one that Learning-Focused continues to implement in school districts across the nation.
Why? Because “one-and-done” teacher training doesn’t get results.
Dr. Thompson knew professional development shouldn’t work that way. He knew it because he’d seen it: as a classroom teacher, professor of education, and school evaluator for the US Department of Education.
For professional development to result in higher student achievement, Dr. Thompson determined, it needed to seep into a school’s culture and transform how administrators, teachers, and students approach learning. It needed to persist.
That’s how we handle professional development at Learning-Focused today.
Together, we’re building on Dr. Thompson’s vision, partnering with school districts, and delivering measurable results that impact students’ lives and improve student achievement.
We’re current and former teachers, administrators, and superintendents.
That’s right. We’ve been “there.”
We’re educators whose classroom success skyrocketed after implementing The Learning-Focused Instructional Framework. Our mindset shifted from knowing about different learning strategies were to understanding why and when to use them. As a result, our classrooms, schools, and districts transformed for the better.
Check out our Case Studies to see how we closed the gap and made significant achievement gains.
The experience also fueled a passion to share the power of Learning-Focused with others.
Today, we work hands-on with teachers and principals in the districts we serve. At Learning-Focused, we never have to assume we know what happens in your classroom. We know exactly what’s happening because we’re right there with you.
And you know what? Some of our consultants still serve as classroom teachers in their local districts. We know how to apply the Learning-Focused Instructional Framework – and apply it effectively – because we’re still using it in our own classrooms.
Meet Lindsey Hampton, Chief Academic Officer
During her 18 years as an educator, Lindsey served various grade levels and subject areas. For 8 years she led inclusive classrooms and taught advanced placement courses.
Following her classroom years, Lindsey spent 10 years as an instructional coach, professional development specialist, and district administrator of new teacher induction. She has presented at numerous conferences, including the Florida Association of School Administrator Conference, the Tennessee Principals Association Conference, and the Kentucky Association of School Administrators. Today, she works directly with teachers and school leaders in the implementation of the Learning-Focused Instructional Framework.
Meet Don Marlett, Chief Executive Officer
Don has been an educator for 20+ years. Before joining Learning-Focused , he taught High School and Middle School Science and was a school administrator. Don has participated in school evaluations focused on implementing High Yield Strategies. In addition, he partnered with various state DOE to support leaders as well as present at numerous conferences hosted by multiple leadership organizations in Florida, NC, Ohio, WV, TN, and KY Don leads product development, provides leadership training and coaching, and coaches educators in the implementation of the High-Yield strategies.
