Collaborative Governance Support for Schools
I partner with schools to develop and improve collaborative governance through training, coaching, and ongoing support.
Are you facing the leadership challenges that create dysfunction in schools everywhere?
Many schools get stuck in the same patterns: either all major decisions funnel through one person (creating information bottlenecks, burnout, and less inclusive and effective decisions) or collaborative attempts fall apart under pressure.Your staff meetings drag on without clear outcomes. Important decisions get delayed or made behind closed doors. You want to include everyone's voice but also need to actually move forward. When crisis strikes—budget cuts, conflicts, urgent choices—your governance systems break down instead of rising to the challenge.The cost of this dysfunction is real: educator turnover, teams that can't adapt, and the growing disconnect as schools promote student voice while adults work in rigid hierarchies.But there is a path forward.
Imagine if your school could...
- Turn staff meetings into spaces where problems get solved and everyone feels heard- Navigate difficult decisions with clear processes that balance participation and efficiency- Model authentic democratic practices in school culture- Build teams that handle challenges through shared leadership, not mandates or paralysisThis happens when schools develop systems for distributed decision-making—creating the foundation for both organizational effectiveness and authentic democratic learning.Whether you're exploring collaborative approaches, implementing with support, or improving existing practices, I work with schools through partnerships designed to meet you where you are.
Meet Your Partner in Collaborative Governance: Will Gowen
As a former school leader and educator, I've experienced both the successes and failures of implementing collaborative governance in schools. I've had experience with sociocracy, shared leadership, teacher-powered models, consensus, democratic schools, participatory budgeting and more.I'm passionate about this work because I've seen how collaborative governance can transform not just decision-making, but entire school cultures. In a world dominated by power-over dynamics, schools practicing authentic collaboration become spaces where adults and students can both thrive.I work with all types of K-12 schools: public, charter, private, democratic, and alternative learning communities. I've learned that collaborative governance can look different in different contexts, but the core principles remain the same.
Experience with K-12 Schools Including:
How We Partner Together
We seek to understand.
Your current governance challenges, school context, and what's working or not working now.Together, we co-design a plan.
Identify practical next steps and collaborative approaches based on your specific needs, capacity, and goals.You develop sustainable practices.
Build collaborative governance that works in your context with ongoing skill development and support.
Collaborative Governance Partnership Options
Initial Engagement (1-3 months)
For schools exploring collaborative governance or addressing specific governance challengesShort-term support tailored to your school's immediate needs
(might include training, coaching, strategic planning, or organizational guidance).Implementation Partnership (6 months - 2 years)
For schools seeking ongoing support with collaborative governanceRegular support as we work together to develop or improve collaborative approaches that fit your school's context and goals
(areas might include: organizational design, process improvement, training and facilitation, ongoing coaching).Ready to explore what's possible for your school community?
What Others Say
"Will is an excellent trainer, leader and facilitator, providing thorough, relevant training as well as sustained follow up support."
—Cindy Freeman, High School Science Educator"Will quickly created custom training for our organization. He had additional resources at his fingertips for addressing complex questions. Highly recommend working with him!"
—Michelle Fournier, Maine Climate Action NOW!
You Might Be Wondering...
- What happens during our initial conversation?We'll discuss your current governance challenges and what you're hoping to achieve. I'll share how I might support your school's specific context. No pressure—it's simply a conversation to see if we're a good fit.- What kind of investment should we expect for this partnership?Investment varies significantly based on school size, scope of work, and duration of partnership. After our initial conversation, if we decide to move forward, I'll provide a customized proposal that aims to fit your budget and goals. I'm committed to making this work accessible while ensuring meaningful impact.- What if we've tried collaborative governance before with challenges and/or failure?That's often helpful! Previous experience, even challenging experiences, provides valuable insight into what your school needs and what approaches might work better.- Can this work if we have existing hierarchical structures or district/union requirements?Absolutely. Collaborative governance can be developed within various constraints, including existing agreements and district requirements. We co-design approaches that work within your current parameters.-How do we know if our school is ready for this work?
Take our Collaborative Governance Readiness Assessment to understand your school's current context and readiness factors. The 10-minute assessment provides personalized insights about your starting point and next steps. Take Assessment
Current Research: Honest Conversations About Collaborative Governance
I'm conducting a listening project with educators worldwide who have experienced collaborative governance in educational settings—exploring both the successes and struggles of implementing democratic decision-making in schools, including the failures that taught us the most.This research aims to create honest, practical resources about what actually works in collaborative educational governance, and what doesn't. Your story matters: whether you've had breakthroughs, encountered challenges, or discovered creative adaptations, your experience contributes to our collective understanding.
Ready to Start the Conversation?
The path forward isn't about perfect implementation—it's about persistent practice with the right support. Whether you're just beginning to explore collaborative governance or looking to improve what you already have, let's talk about what's possible for your school community.Step 1: Take our Readiness Assessment to understand your school's collaborative governance context.Step 2: Schedule a conversation to explore your school's specific context and governance challenges.Step 3: We'll discuss your current situation and determine if partnership makes sense for both of us.
Connect with Will GowenBe More Collaborative: Collaborative Governance Support
📧 [email protected]
🔗 LinkedIn
📅 Schedule a call
📍 Based in Manchester, NH, USA
Supporting K-12 schools nationally and internationallyCertified Sociocracy Facilitator | Teacher-Powered Schools Ambassador| Former School Leader---Specialized partnership support for K-12 schools committed to collaborative governance.