School Success Partners provides expert advice, guidance, and services to schools, educational institutions, and individual students and families on building and maintaining positive school culture, improving academic performance, curriculum development and implementation, Professional Learning Communities, innovative scheduling practices, classroom management, resolving student and staff conflict using Responsive Circles and restorative practices, technology integration, leadership coaching, and hiring and teacher onboarding. We work with our partners to enhance educational outcomes, streamline operations, build educator capacity, and support school communities in achieving success.

Who We Are

JR is a seasoned educational leader with over a decade of experience in school administration. Beginning as a Co-Principal of a STEM Magnet Academy, JR served in this role for four years before advancing to the position of Principal, where he’s led with distinction for the past eight years, winning the Illinois State Board of Education Meritorious Service Award for school administrators. In addition to his leadership within schools, JR has been an education consultant for the last seven years, specializing in a range of areas critical to student, staff, and school success. Recently, JR signed a contract with Solution Tree Press to publish his first book, Responsive Circles: A Guide to Resolving Student Conflict and Building School Community. JR has a two Bachelor’s Degrees, one from Illinois State University in Mass Communication and one from Governors State University in English Secondary Education. His School Leadership Master’s Degree is from Concordia University. In 2017, JR earned his Doctoral Degree in Curriculum and Inquiry from Norther Illinois University. Presently, JR and Carla are both in the Superintendency Endorsement Program through Northern Illinois University. JR is deeply committed to empowering educators and enhancing student outcomes, making him a respected voice in the field.

Carla currently serves as the Director of Continuous School Improvement and Professional Learning in a K-12 school district.  She has experience as a Principal, professional development provider, interventionist, and elementary teacher. As an elementary Principal, Carla led her school in becoming a Model Professional Learning Community.  The elementary school was also recognized as a National Blue Ribbon School, was awarded the Bilingual Education Award, and earned “Exemplary” status every year through the Illinois State Board of Education with some of the highest overall ratings in the state of Illinois.  Dr. Braun has also served as a Professional Development Leader through the Metro Cook Math Initiative (MCMI) and provides teachers and administrators with professional development on best practices in the mathematics classroom.  Carla has her doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction from Northern Illinois University, where she researched parents’/guardians’ experiences with the special education process using a strengths- based perspective.  She also holds a Master of Science Degree in Educational Leadership and a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Elementary Education. Carla is passionate about providing all students with the opportunity to learn at high levels.