The Adaptive Schools Foundation and Advanced Seminars present a productive, practical set of ideas and tools for developing collaborative groups in becoming effective and better equipped to resolve complex issues around student learning. The work of the Adaptive Schools Seminars is to develop the resources and capacities of the organization and of individuals to cohesively respond to the changing needs of students and society.
Learn how to build collaborative professional cultures that improve student achievement. This practical leadership institute immerses you in a supportive and stimulating seminar environment to explore the latest findings in developing strong professional learning communities that share collective responsibility for student learning.
You will acquire new conceptual maps, increased confidence, and expanded strategies for strengthening adult working groups. Join us to extend your skills in promoting a spirit of collective inquiry within groups, resolving conflict, developing consensus and harnessing collaborative energies toward sustained improvement.
Carol Brooks Simoneau
EdD, graduated from the University of Nebraska with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in elementary education. She earned a Master of Science Degree with a Reading Specialist endorsement and an Educational Administration and Leadership endorsement from Kansas State University. Carol earned a Doctorate in Educational Administration and Leadership from Kansas State University.
Carol has over 20 years experience as a teacher and reading specialist with students of all ages. As a reading specialist, she modeled instructional strategies in the classroom and worked with students in intervention programs created to prevent reading failure. She has also chaired or served as a member on many school improvement and accreditation teams designed to develop school community and facilitate achievement. Carol has received the Kansas State Department of Education Distinguished Educator Award. She has also served on the Board of Directors for the Kansas Staff Development Council.
Carol provides Cognitive CoachingSM and Adaptive Schools training. She is the author of A Facilitator's Guide to On-line Professional Development: Establishing Communities of Learning and Cultures of Thinking.
Doreen Miori-Merola
Since 2015 and until this July 2025, Doreen served as one of the Co-Directors for Thinking Collaborative, LLC. It was an incredible honor to do so. She is also a private consultant with M2 Coaching & Consulting, LLC and is a Training Associate for Adaptive Schools and Cognitive Coaching, formerly for Habits of Mind. She is an international consultant with extensive experience teaching on six continents and across the United States of America. As a result, she has exponentially increased her appreciation and admiration for the dedication, passion, intellectual curiosity, and resilience of teachers everywhere! Previously, Doreen was an English teacher for nearly 40 years, teaching everything from academic intervention to advanced placement. She has a B.S. from State University of New York at Oswego in English/Secondary Education, did graduate work in diagnostic and prescriptive teaching of reading, and received an M.S. in English Education Advanced Study from Syracuse University. As the ELA Content Specialist for the Solvay Union Free School District, she was in charge of curriculum, assessment, data analysis, professional development, facilitation, mentoring, and coaching. Doreen holds memberships in ASCD, NCTE, Learning Forward, Phi Kappa Phi.