Recently, Nicole visited the American School in Rio de Janeiro, a vibrant campus where local culture and a global mindset intersect. At the same time, Rob was collaborating with an international client preparing to launch a premier school model in North America. These two experiences, on opposite sides of the hemisphere, got both of us […]

Strategic planning once conjured images of thick binders, gantt charts, and carefully plotted roadmaps meant to guide organizations, like schools and nonprofits, for 5-10 years at a time. But the world has changed fast.  Today’s education and nonprofit leaders must navigate a landscape defined by shifting priorities, a volatile political climate, and (often) shrinking funding. […]

Reimagining education isn’t just about filling vacancies – it’s about fundamentally redesigning educator roles so teams, not individuals, share the responsibility of learning. When we build collaborative structures that honor educator expertise, we create the conditions where both students and adults can thrive. Thrive CEO, Dr. Nicole Assisi, is a proud co-author of the newly released […]

What if strategic planning didn’t just chart your next steps, but rewired your brain to believe in a better future- and your power to create it? After decades of guiding organizations through change—from world-class zoos to innovative schools—we’ve discovered something fascinating: the real power of strategic planning lies beneath the surface- in the brain.  When […]

What could a leadership pathway look like for teachers who aren’t interested in being administrators? Thrive presented at the 2025 Strategic School Staffing Summit with district and site leaders from the Kernville Union School District. Thrive has been supporting KUSD over the last two years in implementing team based teaching models that include teacher leadership […]

Place-based learning in Chefchaouen, Morocco connects education to local culture, using linguistic activism to preserve language and cultural identity. Chefchaouen’s approach to linguistic activism offers a model for integrating Indigenous languages into education worldwide, fostering cultural pride and preservation. Learn more in this article written by our CEO Dr. Nicole Assisi published by Getting Smart.  Read […]

We are excited to showcase the transformative journey of our partner, the San Ramon Valley Unified School District (SRVUSD). Over the past year and a half, Thrive has proudly supported SRVUSD in adopting innovative strategic staffing models as part of Arizona State University’s Next Education Workforce™ initiative. This article highlights the remarkable increases in student […]

We are thrilled to share an insightful feature on one of our partners, the Kernville Union School District. Over the past year and a half, Thrive has collaborated with Kernville to implement and support their innovative strategic staffing model as part of Arizona State University’s Next Education Workforce™ initiative. This model includes team-based teaching and […]

Last month, our CEO, Dr. Nicole Assisi, wrote an article on systems thinking, emphasizing how “real, durable change comes when we shift our perspective to see systems as interconnected wholes rather than expecting a single person or policy to fix it all.” Her words remind us that meaningful transformation requires a holistic view of the […]

Will hiring a new leader solve all your problems?  It might help, but chances are, no.  As a former superintendent, international leadership coach, and senior consultant, I deeply believe in the transformative power of great leadership. However, through experience and research, I know that real, durable change comes when we shift our perspective to see […]

Stumbling upon place-based learning has become a recreational hazard during my summer travels. Two years ago, I found myself learning about internships on the Alaskan railroad. But this summer, I found myself wandering through a forest in Luxembourg, surrounded by elementary students’ vibrant artwork. I had the privilege of learning with the children and families of Groundschoul […]

In today’s rapidly changing world, it is imperative for schools to consistently re-evaluate and reshape their visions of success. A vital tool for this is a “Portrait of a Graduate.” Developed using the collective wisdom of a community, this portrait becomes an essential reference point – a North Star – for guiding schools in preparing […]