I was not surprised by the “life wisdom” that Bill brought to our partnership as aresult of his forty-plus years of school and pastoral leadership. His broad background as an independent school head and Episcopal priest are ideal for this type of work and he clearly has passion to be a servant-leader for the next generation. However, I was surprised and impressed by the degree of formal training he has pursued to prepare himself fully for this “coaching” space. While I was one of his first clients, it felt like Bill was a seasoned professional coach. No learning curve here. Our regular meetings and conversations have expanded my understanding of my leadership and will help me to serve my school community with far greater discernment and effectiveness. Thank you, Bill!

“Coaching is all about having someone believe in you and encourage you, about getting valuable feedback, about seeing things from new perspectives and setting your sights on new horizons.”

I have been afforded the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of the students within by building every day. This opportunity comes with great responsibility; it requires making tough decisions, carrying out thoughtful discourse, reviewing data and building strong relationships to support the school’s vision and mission. Whether you are an athlete or an educator, dedication to the execution of your craft is an ongoing routine which requires a second set of eyes to make sure you are practicing the right drills and accomplishing your goals ‘in the game’. I have been fortunate to have a dynamic coach to support my efforts for the past eight months. Mr. Bill Clarkson has provided on-going executive coaching which has changed my perspective on the way I tackle puzzles to solve. During our executive coaching sessions, we have established a great working relationship; geared to improving my practices and stretching my thinking. Through this process, I have learned a lot about my personal and professional nuances that impact the way I complete my work. I have developed a unique perspective on my leadership by acknowledging and embracing my personal and professional values and beliefs as well as my work language. This clarity provides me with the tools to support my work on a daily basis. I would strongly recommend coaching to any individual!

As a school administrator for 16 years, I have attended and participated in a myriad of professional development opportunities. None of those experiences come close to the impact and energy that comes from working with an executive coach like Bill Clarkson. I have become a more reflective, focused, and accountable school leader because of the personal approach, expertise, and experience that Bill Clarkson and Carney Sandoe bring to the transformational relationship between a coach and a school leader.