6035 Group
Leadership Elevated
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Our Mission
Supporting Every Leader
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Communicate their vision with clarity and build the strategic support to achieve it
Strengthen their board governance practices for confident, effective decision-making
Align operations, accountability, and fiscal practices for long-term success
Advance teaching and learning through research-based, highly effective practices​
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From Basecamp at 6,035 feet
Located in Colorado Springs, we partner with K–12 districts, schools, school boards, and education leaders nationwide—both in person and virtually—to strengthen leadership, improve systems, and drive lasting results.
Our team helps organizations achieve breakthrough performance through strategic support, practical guidance, and a deep commitment to meaningful impact.
Founded on a Legacy of Leadership
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Grounded in decades of educational leadership and a deep commitment to helping schools and districts grow strong leaders, effective systems, and lasting results.
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More than 50 years of recognized senior leadership experience in Colorado public education as well as industry certification for our services.
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Improving organizations through executive coaching, consulting and mentoring, and professional learning tailored to real challenges and bold goals in public education.​​​​​​​​​​
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Meet The Team
​Guiding Your Ascent
Dr. Lori Cooper
With 24 years of transformative school and executive leadership experience, Dr. Cooper is a catalyst for educational excellence.
​Known for her hands-on, client-centered style, Dr. Cooper takes the time to listen to each district’s story and learn the aspirations of every school leader she serves. Every partnership begins with a deep understanding of local goals, unique cultures, and specific challenges—resulting in customized solutions that reflect what matters most to each school community. Her responsive, collaborative process ensures that every plan is not only strategic but also relevant and sustainable.
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Dr. Cooper’s recognized expertise in strategic planning and leadership development enables her to create transformative educational environments that ignite student success. As an educational author and national professional developer for Solution Tree, she also brings innovative strategies and practical application to the classroom. Her passion for learning and organizational growth inspires teams to reimagine what’s possible—and her clients appreciate her commitment to their long-term success. In addition, Lori is a national superintendent search consultant for McPherson & Jacobson, LLC, helping districts identify leaders who fit their vision and values.
Dr. Walt Cooper
As one of Colorado’s longest-serving superintendents with over three decades of executive leadership, Dr. Cooper now leverages his deep experience to empower district leaders and school boards in transformative governance. ​He specializes in equipping superintendents and Boards of Education with proven tools to design meaningful change and drive sustained excellence. He works side-by-side with school and district leaders to develop data-driven, actionable strategic plans that tie resources to local priorities and put student achievement at the center. By cultivating effective, collaborative partnerships between boards and superintendents, Dr. Cooper ensures that every solution supports district values and builds a foundation of mutual trust.
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His expertise spans critical aspects of district management—including financial strategy and targeted board member training—guiding teams in designing responsible budgeting practices and growth-minded governance tailored to district objectives. Recognizing that leadership and community needs vary widely, Dr. Cooper adapts his support and training to every district’s context, helping boards evolve into high-performing teams that foster transparency, community engagement, and educational excellence. Walt is also a national superintendent search consultant for McPherson & Jacobson, LLC, where he helps districts select leaders who are a true fit for their unique aspirations.
A Different Kind of Purpose
In a crowded field of coaches and consultants:
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We believe the right partner should bring more than ideas—they should bring perspective, certified credibility, and a deep understanding of the current realities schools and districts face.
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We believe, as former educators, the financial constraints of school districts should not limit leadership growth and development, so our fees are the most affordable in the business.
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We believe building personalized partnerships with each district, school, and board—listening first, tailoring our approach to your context, and with our clients from vision to implementation.
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We believe fit with our clients is essential to coaching or consulting success, so we include two complimentary fit sessions to ensure our services are the right match to the unique needs of each client.
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Our Services
Real Solutions...Real Results
Professional Development & Workshops​
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Focused Learning to Immediate Action
We design and deliver high-impact professional development that equips educators and leaders with practical skills they can use immediately in their schools and districts. ​Rather than one-size-fits-all training, we tailor every workshop to your context—your goals, your team dynamics, and your current challenges. ​Our professional learning experiences will build confidence, deepen self-awareness, and create lasting shifts in practice.
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Our Most Popular Workshops :
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Blueprint for Board Excellence
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DiSC Leadership Assessment & Analysis
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Reimagining K-12 Accountability
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High Impact Instruction
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Highly Effective Leadership
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Navigating Change​
EXECUTIVE COACHING
Leading with clarity and confidence
Executive coaching with an ICF‑credentialed coach is a confidential, thought‑partnering process that helps leaders clarify what they want, expand how they think, and take focused action on their most important goals. ​Coaching sessions center on powerful questions, reflection, and experimentation rather than advice, so you uncover your own best solutions and translate them into concrete steps, accountability, and measurable outcomes in your role. Coaching is not therapy, consulting, or mentoring: we are future‑focused, we do not diagnose or treat past issues, and we do not come in as the expert with all the answers—instead, we work as equal partners to help you move from where you are now to where you want to be.
CONSULTING & MENTORING
Unmatched depth of knowledge & experience
Our consulting and mentoring services help leaders turn their goals into practical, sustainable improvements in teaching, learning, and collaborative school cultures. Drawing on deep executive and school leadership experience, we partner with you to clarify priorities, design aligned systems and structures, and support the people who bring those plans to life.
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Popular services include:
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Interview preparation and leadership transitions
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Board development and governance support
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Strategic planning and implementation
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Accountability systems and practices
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Instructional and leadership team development
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Assessment and data‑use practices
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Fiscal operations and resource alignment
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Strengthening school culture and collaboration
Client Experiences...
Our Impact....Their Words
Dr. Walt Cooper was clear from the start that his goal is a mutual process where the Board learns and understands what its community and District need so everyone can work together. There was tremendous value in the Board training, exercises, and careful approach to pulling in community and staff voice. He built a cooperative process of introspection and goal setting to create a customized matching experience.
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Beth Smith, President Washoe County School District, Reno, NV
Working with Dr. Lori Cooper was transformative for our district. Her expert guidance helped us develop a clear logic model, set ambitious goals, and create actionable strategies tailored to our culture and needs. Thanks to her support, we turned our vision into measurable results and fostered a culture of continuous improvement.
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Melissa Burkhardt-Shields
School District 49
Consulting with Dr. Lori Cooper was invaluable. Her expertise in standards-based grading and MTSS helped us build strong, sustainable systems tailored to our needs. Through her insightful coaching and high-quality resources, our teams gained the skills and confidence to launch and sustain impactful, lasting initiatives.
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John Steele
Montrose School District
We were beyond pleased with Dr. Cooper's consultative services, result, methodology and professional insight. He was a professional, a quality listener, and masterful facilitator for our public, staff, and Board of Education.
Lewis Palmer District 38 Board of Education
Let’s talk
Send us questions about our services or to discuss your unique needs!
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Schedule your TWO FREE fit consultations to discover how we can elevate your leadership!