Brian Corley
Elmwood Park,USA
Summary
Visionary leader and founder of Single Story, Inc., with expertise in governance and entrepreneurial leadership. Proven success at Near North Montessori School, enhancing enrollment with a 55% representation of students of color. Demonstrated skills in strategic planning, partnership building, and surpassing fundraising targets while fostering organizational inclusivity. Committed to driving innovation and operational efficiency, transforming challenges into opportunities for sustainable growth.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Founder and Chief Executive Officer
Single Story, Inc.
Elmwood Park, IL
09.2015 - Current
- Facilitated diversity integration to help individuals achieve authentic identities across institutions.
- Created structured learning modules promoting organizational well-being.
- Facilitated over 25 diversity-focused seminars each month within various academic settings.
- Advised boards and executive teams on navigating conflicts, yielding strong accountability.
- Deliver educational sessions on various diversity topics to upwards of 40 organizations.
- Created diversity strategic plans for organizations seeking inclusive community transformation.
- Conducted analyses of diversity metrics to enhance school community health.
- Facilitated collaboration with executive leaders to define strategic goals, plans, and organizational guidelines.
Head of School
Near North Montessori School
Chicago, IL
06.2021 - 06.2023
- Ensured that the school lived out its mission and educational philosophy.
- Managed a $17 million budget with nearly 140 staff members.
- Working with the board of directors, I developed, implemented, and executed the school's strategic plan.
- With the board and members of my administrative team, I fundraised 1.5 times the annual goal during my tenure.
- Expanded the equity and inclusion program, and helped connect its value to the school's mission.
- Increased student enrollment and expanded market demand.
- Evaluated staff performance and provided feedback on areas of improvement.
- Organized professional development activities for teachers to enhance their skill sets.
- Ensured compliance with all relevant laws, regulations, policies, procedures, and standards.
- Enforced behavior management interventions to improve the learning environment, and increase the academic success of students.
- Reviewed student data reports regularly to assess academic performance trends.
- Implemented technology initiatives to improve student engagement in the classroom.
- Conducted regular meetings with faculty to ensure adherence to standards of excellence in teaching and learning.
- Oversaw recruitment, hiring, and training processes for new faculty and staff members.
- Managed day-to-day operations of the school by delegating tasks among administrators and faculty members.
- Executed strategies to increase parental and community engagement within the school.
Board of Trustees Committee
Independent Schools Association of the Central States (ISACS)
07.2019 - 04.2022
- Adopts criteria for officer, board, and committee membership
- Chair Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) board taskforce - my goal is to support the development of board members skills and awareness in approaching and managing DEI initiatives and conflict
- Reviews the distribution and expertise needs of the board and its committees and officers in anticipation of future vacancies
- Solicits nominations for anticipated vacancies
- Prepares an annual slate of new officers and trustees for approval by the board and election by the membership
- Periodically reviews the effectiveness of the board and its committees, including individual members
- Oversees all committees, with the exception of the Executive Committee, as to appointment of chairs and members, goals, charges, size, and terms
Equity & Justice Committee Member & Administrative Services Committee
Independent Schools Association of the Central States (ISACS)
04.2013 - 04.2022
- Assist the entire ISACS organization in achieving Policy Goal V in the Strategic Plan - Ensure a Deep Commitment to Multiculturalism and Equity
- Engage in a comprehensive review of membership standards in ISACS, mainly concerning matters of equity and justice
- Advise the ISACS President, Board, committees, and member schools on issues of equity and justice relating to ISACS’ policies, practices, and programs
- Collaborate with other ISACS committees to advance shared goals and interests
- Collaborate with NAIS (National Association of Independent Schools) Committees and participate in the development of local, regional, or state committees concerning diversity, multiculturalism, and inclusion
- Develop and implement programs and services to recruit, support, and therefore retain underrepresented people
- Chair of the professional development subcommittee of ISACS’ Equity and Justice Committee
- Create opportunities for professional development in curriculum design, pedagogy, and other topics that accomplish the mission of the Equity Committee
- Assist in the planning of the ISACS bi-annual Diversity Summit
- Promotes the professional growth of independent school administrators
Middle School Director
The Roeper School
07.2017 - 06.2021
- Oversee a mission-driven program and curriculum that meets the unique needs of middle school students, their parents, and faculty
- Participate in the hiring, evaluation, and retention of faculty
- Manage the day-to-day operations of the middle school, including programming, admissions, conflict resolution, evaluations, extracurriculars, budgets, and curriculum
- Oversee the development of and adherence to school policies and maintain student discipline processes in congruence with school policies
- Create and nurture a culture of collegiality, respect, and support that provides a positive environment for all constituents
- Establish diversity programming and teams to address equity issues on campus
- Chair the Technology Committee to support the latest school strategic plan
- Develop parent education events that focus on child development, curricular support, executive functioning skill development, and enrichment
- Curricular and pedagogical coach
- Active member of the board of trusteeship, finance, and development subcommittees
Diversity & Inclusion Director
Near North Montessori School
08.2014 - 07.2017
- Provide strategic leadership and vision in the area of diversity based on internal self-study culture and climate data
- Coordinate events and programs within the school to educate the community and celebrate diversity, and facilitate discussions and lessons about various topics related to social diversity issues and cultural competencies, including topics of race, institutional racism, gender, sexual orientation, class, stereotypes, religion, and bullying
- Support the admissions and human resources offices to recruit, welcome, and retain students and faculty from diverse backgrounds – 55% students of color outcome (24% national average) and a 300% increase in faculty and staff of color
- With the help of the school psychologist, act as a resource for faculty and staff in providing academic, emotional, and social support for students/families of diverse backgrounds
- Work with academic directors to ensure the school’s curriculum embraces and intentionally introduces diversity in the classroom, utilizing the concept of windows and mirrors
- Contribute to diversity-related budget planning and goal-setting
- Review marketing material through a diversity lens to ensure the school’s values and commitment to diversity are reflected
- Creator and direct supervisor of the DAT Team (Diversity Advocacy Team)
- DAT comprises of a small, diverse group of faculty, staff, and administration that are committed to organizing and implementing institutional transformation for the Near North Montessori community
- Members act as advisors in supporting the Diversity Director in meeting diversity initiatives and providing the framework needed to reach planned goals
Head Science Teacher: 7th & 8th grade
Near North Montessori School
08.2008 - 08.2015
- Practice Montessori principles and philosophies that focus on the development of the whole child (character, integrity and social justice) when teaching classes and designing curriculum
- Facilitate the development of the 'Farmessori,' which is a student-designed and maintained garden that produces fruits and vegetables for the seventh and eighth-grader food service business (Sandwich Shoppe) and the school community
- Design and teach a two-year curriculum based on students' needs, the culture of the school, and currently relevant topics: Those topics include sustainability, health, botany, earth sciences, physics, biology, chemistry, astronomy, weather, gardening, and computer literacy
- Organize and design an 'Innovation Fair,' where students in groups of four complete a needs assessment of the school community, design an innovation solution, apply for a grant from the school, and present their idea and model to the community
- Organize and design an 'Investigation Fair,' where students create iBook digital reference books along with TED Talks to educate their peers on a controversial or informational topic
- Train assistant science teachers and evaluate their performance multiple times a year, including recommendations
- Introduce paperless classroom options to the junior high level
Head Math Teacher: 8th grade
Near North Montessori School
08.2008 - 08.2015
- Practice Montessori principles and philosophies that focus on the development of the whole child (character, integrity, and social justice) when teaching classes and designing curriculum
- Teach advanced Algebra 1 class with a focus on strategic problem-solving
- Incorporate non-traditional teaching methods and pedagogy for an in-depth understanding of material, including 'Mathalicious,' 'Challenge 24', and problems of the week to name a few
- Tutor pre-algebra students in preparation for Algebra 1
- Organize 'Pie Day,' which consists of breaking down algebraic expressions and solving word problems
Education
Masters of Science - Sports Administration
Northwestern University
09.2012
Bachelor of Science - Kinesiology
Michigan State University
05.2006
High School Diploma -
Cranbrook Kingswood Boarding School
Bloomfield Hills, MI05.2002
Skills
- Governance
- Partnership building
- Entrepreneurial leadership
- Talent acquisition
- Visionary leadership
- Market Knowledge
- Performance assessments
- Strategic planning
- Organizational structuring
- Policies and procedures development
- Trends analysis
- Financial administration
- Fundraiser
- Curriculum designer
References
- Mary Menacho, Executive Director, Independent Schools Association of the Central States (ISACS), mary@isacs.org
- David Feldman, Head of School, Emerson School, dfeldman@emerson-school.org
- Pete Pullen, Head of School, Eton Academy, ppullen@etonacademcy.org
- Alexandra Thurstone, Head of School, St Francis School, athurstone@stfrancisschool.org
- Lee Clark, Board Member, Near North Montessori, leevclark@gmail.com
Affiliations
- Non-fiction reader: I try to read at least a few books each quarter.
- I enjoy cycling: I often travel 15 - 30 miles on a given weekend (weather permitting).
- My passion is traveling: Before having children, my wife and I traveled to more than 20 countries.
- I find gardening therapeutic: I started an urban farm at a previous school, and it has become a staple of the school's program. Caring for plants brings me joy.
- My ideal cardio: If I could, I would play basketball weekly. The more competitive, the better.
- Downtime: I golf whenever I get an opportunity. It brings me peace and allows me to do some of my best thinking.
- Using my hands: Woodshop allows me to use my hands, which I absolutely enjoy. Building something with my hands gives me a strong sense of accomplishment.
Languages
Spanish
Limited
Certification
- Association Montessori Internationale (AMI), AMI Montessori Administrators Certification.
- Aspiring Heads Fellowhip Recipant
Timeline
Head of School
Near North Montessori School
06.2021 - 06.2023
Board of Trustees Committee
Independent Schools Association of the Central States (ISACS)
07.2019 - 04.2022
Middle School Director
The Roeper School
07.2017 - 06.2021
Founder and Chief Executive Officer
Single Story, Inc.
09.2015 - Current
Diversity & Inclusion Director
Near North Montessori School
08.2014 - 07.2017
Equity & Justice Committee Member & Administrative Services Committee
Independent Schools Association of the Central States (ISACS)
04.2013 - 04.2022
Head Science Teacher: 7th & 8th grade
Near North Montessori School
08.2008 - 08.2015
Head Math Teacher: 8th grade
Near North Montessori School
08.2008 - 08.2015
Masters of Science - Sports Administration
Northwestern University
Bachelor of Science - Kinesiology
Michigan State University
High School Diploma -
Cranbrook Kingswood Boarding School
Similar Profiles
Thuku KariukiThuku Kariuki
Freelance Writer at Bird Story Agency/Science Africa/Story SpotlightFreelance Writer at Bird Story Agency/Science Africa/Story Spotlight
HARPREET SINGHHARPREET SINGH
Customer Service Representative at Single PointCustomer Service Representative at Single Point
Sarah SomersonSarah Somerson
Ticket Seller at Fayetteville Woodpeckers (Houston Astros Single-ATicket Seller at Fayetteville Woodpeckers (Houston Astros Single-A
Sabti JaludiSabti Jaludi
Centric District Manager at ADP-Parsippany-Troy Hills, NJCentric District Manager at ADP-Parsippany-Troy Hills, NJ
LATRISHA GRAYLATRISHA GRAY
VEC Client Executive VCG at Verizon CommunicationsVEC Client Executive VCG at Verizon Communications