The Curriculum Leadership Institute is a non-profit organization that works with school districts, consortia, service centers, state departments, and other education agencies to provide training and leadership for improving student learning.
Our Vision
To partner with school districts to ensure that all students have access to the high quality, effective education they deserve.
CLI was founded in the early 1980s by Stu Ervay, a professor at Emporia State University, in response to the increase of state mandates requiring schools to delineate curriculum and instructional programs more thoroughly than had been in the past. He found that school districts sought support for this work and therefore he created the CLI Model. Through this model, CLI provides processes for the governance and management of curriculum, instruction, and assessment work, as well as processes for working through these three critical areas to improve student learning.
Our Mission
To provide leadership in the processes for academic governance and for the creation, implementation, and assessment of curriculum that results in quality student learning.
Meet our amazing team.
Experience is key to what we do. All of our consultants began using the CLI Model as teachers and use that experience to work through issues and concerns with the districts they help.
Rhonda Renfro
President & Consultant
Rhonda has seen it all. As a consultant with over 20 years of experience, she is a whiz at working through governance and accreditation issues. When she’s not working, she’s either on a long walk, working in her garden, or hanging out with her grandkids.
Stacey Bruton
Vice President & Consultant
Stacey loves the challenge of working with the unique strengths and needs of each district and says she stays organized by using copious Post-it notes. Her favorite pastime is spoiling her two bulldogs!
Margie Simmons
Consultant
Prior to working for CLI, Margie served as the assistant superintendent for her district. She obtained grants to improve the education of Georgia students and served on committees at the state level. Her experience in using the CLI Model throughout her career makes Margie a valuable resource and respected consultant.
Emily Makelky
Consultant & Media Specialist
Just like when she was in the classroom, Emily loves it when the “lightbulb” comes on for teachers. Whether at work or in her personal life Emily enjoys making things better, which is why she likes consulting so much!
Ilah Gilreath
Manager of Administrative Services
Ilah has been with CLI since 1993. She has a memory like a steel trap and remembers districts from 25 years ago! She is responsible for managing the finances of CLI, including contracts and invoices, and providing support for consultants and staff as our human resources department.
Leslee Euler
Central Office Manager
Leslee is the CLI “go-to” girl for managing our schedules, making travel arrangements, and assembling and shipping training materials for partner school districts. She is well known for running marathons and her deep tan!
Board of Directors
CLI is a non-profit organization committed to partnering with schools and districts to improve the quality of student learning. To accomplish that goal, CLI’s management structure must be cohesive and collaborative. Therefore, CLI’s Board of Directors has a diverse membership that includes education and community leaders who serve various constituencies, as well as selected members of the CLI staff who are in the position to know client needs and serve as advocates for the field. That unique administrative structure allows the CLI to be more open to new and emerging educational priorities, as well as to consider and help solve local issues experienced by clients.
Carol Roach – CLI Board Chairperson, former CLI President
Dan Lumley – CLI Board Vice Chairperson, consultant/speaker, retired school district administrator
Stacey Bruton – CLI Vice President & Consultant
Doug Christensen – Professor of Leadership in Education, Doane College
Tim Clothier – Director, Business and Industry Center, Washburn University Institute of Technology
Dale Cushinberry – Retired school administrator
Theresa Davidson – Retired superintendent
Stuart Ervay – Former Executive Director of CLI, Professor Emeritus, Emporia State University
Kelly Gentry – District Curriculum Coordinator
Ilah Gilreath – Board Secretary/Treasurer, CLI Manager of Administrative Services
John Lohmeyer – Business Owner & Consultant for national educational philanthropy firm
Rhonda Renfro – CLI President
Ken Weaver – Professor of Psychology, Emporia State University
Interested in learning more about how CLI can help you?
Let’s talk about it.