Experts. Educators. Innovators.

Janel Keating

Janel Keating is the recently retired superintendent of the White River School District in the state of Washington. An accomplished educator with over 40 years of experience, she is a former elementary and middle school teacher, principal, director of student learning, deputy superintendent, and superintendent.

The White River School District became a Model PLC District under Janel’s leadership. Janel has been named Principal of the Year in Pierce County, Washington, and received the 2013 Carroll College Alumni Academic Achievement Award. Janel received the 2019 Robert Handy Award for the most effective administrator in Washington State. Janel is past president of the Washington State Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development.

Janel has co-authored five books and numerous articles on leadership and school improvement. She also co-authored (with Robert Eaker) the lead chapter in the 2012 Yearbook of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics. Janel is currently leading the thinking for the statewide PLC Districtwide Projects in several states, including Washington, Arizona, New York, and the National PLC Project. These projects are ensuring academic achievement districtwide by:

Implementing a guaranteed and viable curriculum
Creating a timely and balanced assessment system districtwide
Removing barriers in the planning process and by providing additional time, support, and extensions for all students
Ensuring more fair and accurate reporting and grading practices districtwide
Building a healthy district and school culture for all students

Daily, Janel works with schools, districts, and boards of directors across the United States to align all practices within the district, improving student learning and adult professional learning.

Jacob Kuper

Jacob Kuper is currently Assistant Superintendent of Finance for Yakima Schools. He has over 24 years of experience with Washington State School Districts’ finances and operations. Jake is a former Washington State Auditor, CFO/COO of Issaquah School District and provides consultation services to school districts around the State and nation. Jake has been married to his wife Rachel for 23 years and has three children, Evelyn (22), Harrison (19) and Rose (13).

Amongst his many accomplishments, Jake is proud of twenty Consecutive “clean audits” with no findings in a District of 20,000 students. He successfully oversaw the modernization and construction of nearly $1.5 billion in school facilities. Recently he reformed the Yakima Schools financial system, reducing budgets by approximately $30 million over three years to align program expenditures with shrinking revenue streams.

Jake proudly serves clients with common sense and clarity. His goal is to provide strategy and tactics that are grounded in data and move the organization forward. His value is driven by his ability to analyze and execute. Years of experience as an “operational educator” provide a savvy finance and operation perspective balanced with a deep understanding of schools and student achievement.