Affiliated Consultant Profile

Email: lauren@laurenjonesconsulting.com
Website: www.laurenjonesconsulting.com

Area of expertise provided as part of the CIS Affiliated Consultant Network:

• Learning Support

SKILLS

Lauren Jones, MAEd, is an educational and leadership consultant who partners with schools and organizations to expand inclusive programming and strengthen support for neurodivergent learners. She works alongside school communities to build strong cultural foundations, design strategic plans, and provide tailored consultation through sustained partnerships. Her services include professional development, inclusion audits, coaching, board and leadership training, as well as the design and implementation of systems, programs, and policies that foster lasting change. This work can include developing alternative pathways to diploma, establishing programming for moderate to intensive learning needs, and designing whole school systems of Tiered Support.

EXPERIENCE

Lauren has a Master’s degree in Special Education and a post-graduate certificate from Harvard University in School Management and Leadership. Lauren has lived and worked in Nigeria, South Sudan, the U.S., Qatar, and Rwanda. She most recently served as the Head of School at the International School of Kigali, where she expanded access for neurodivergent students and strengthened student support services. Before that, Lauren led instrumental work in Qatar, expanding programming and policy to include a broader scope of neurodiversity.

She has collaborated with a range of organizations, including the Ministry of Education in Rwanda, the National Geographic Society, Save the Children, and international schools across regions. She is a published author, CIS and MSA volunteer evaluator, and an MSA consultant. Lauren collaborated with the Middle States Association to revise their SEN Standards and served on the review team that developed joint accreditation standards across four major accrediting bodies.

Lauren chairs the board of the Parents Alliance for Inclusion and facilitates the Playbook for Expanding and Enhancing Student Support Programs with the Office of Overseas Schools at the U.S. State Department. She is also leading the development of a Sustainable Small Schools Guide in collaboration with AISA and the Office of Overseas Schools.

SERVICES

School Leadership Mindset Shifting and Culture Building

• Partnering with leadership teams to facilitate the work of reflecting, visioning, and then implementing measures to shift mindsets and culture towards greater inclusion in their communities.

Professional Development

• Student Support and Wellbeing
  • Trauma-informed practices
  • Restorative Practices and Positive Classroom Culture/PBIS training and facilitation
  • Behavior and Emotional Support and Wellbeing
  • Executive Functioning and ADHD support
  • Universal Design for Learning and Tier 1 support
  • Neurodiversity basics
  • Using Generative AI for Student Support

• Special Education and Program Design
  • Alternative Programming and Paths to Graduation for Schools
  • Individual Education Plan development and implementation
  • Multi-tiered systems of support
  • Data Driven Decision Making
  • Accommodations and Modifications

• Leadership and School Inclusivity Culture
  • Head of School and Leadership Workshop Series: Spearheading the Work Towards More Inclusive School Communities

School Audit

• Interviews with a comprehensive range of stakeholders along with observations, and review of policies, procedures, staffing needs, and records will help provide the information needed to understand the current programming and the steps needed to expand inclusion and provide services for a more diverse scope of learners.
• Provide specific outcomes and next steps, along with proposed ongoing consulting services as needed.
• Audits are individualized to meet the school's desired outcomes and needs.

School Student Services Coordination

• For small schools that cannot hire a full-time student services coordinator or for schools just getting started with student support:
  • Managing caseload of students that are identified as needing learning support. This includes IEP (Individualized Education Plan) meetings and implementation.
  • Facilitating Tiered systems of support implementation, which includes support designing interventions, tracking data, and designing programming.
  • Providing professional development and support with policy development.

Building Design Support

Consults with teams renovating, remodeling, or designing spaces to remove barrierss and increase accessibility.

Systems Development

• Helps schools design systems, foundations and structures for student support, including:
• Tiered Systems of Support
• Alternative Diploma Pathways
• Life Centered Education Programs
• Behavior Protocols and Procedures
• Hybrid Models for Learning and Language Support
• Admissions Procedures and Policies
• Handbooks and Policy Development
• Curriculum Adaptation
• Staffing Models

RESULTS

"Lauren Jones is a servant leader with both the confidence and humility to lead diverse international teams. While her heart inclines toward students on the margins, her intellect sees the importance of whole-school improvement to meet the needs of all. She is agile and always ready to listen to multiple unique pathways to a more inclusive school. While both of us have left our previous employer, the legacy of Lauren’s vision continues to live and thrive. Lauren is never satisfied with the status quo. She remains positive and optimistic even when the going gets tough. It has been an honor to work with Lauren Jones. “ -Jeff Coleman, American School of Jeddah

"Lauren has worked alongside the whole Khartoum American School team to support individual students with diverse learning needs. Lauren has paid particular attention to student voice and planned empowering learning opportunities that match the students’ ambitions. Lauren has a deep understanding of inclusive learning practices and has the flexibility and experience to support others to put them to use." -Bridget Davies, Director Khartoum American School

"Lauren flew in to Dakar to facilitate a crucial special meeting of the Board of Trustees. She was well prepared and quickly grasped the context as well as the themes that were being discussed. Lauren ensured that all voices were heard, everyone was able to contribute positively and that we reached a successful conclusion - which was the approval of a new vision and mission for the school. Lauren is a skilled facilitator who has a deep understanding of international schools, governance, accreditation and the diverse needs of students and staff." -Sandy Mackenzie, Director International School of Dakar

"Lauren has worked with us at AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL OF CONAKRY for a year. She has done wonders for us. She is very knowledgeable, professional and thoughtful in how she supported us. She is not only passionate about special needs but about supporting small schools. She understands our challenges and carefully puts structures in place to make it easy for everyone (staff , leaders and parents) to support our SEN students. She met with the leadership team every week and hence felt part of the team. We love working with her, so much so that we have asked her to stay on. Personally as a new Director, Lauren ( a former Director) has gone the extra mile to support me in other areas of school leadership. She really is a joy to work with." -Kevin Onabiyi, Director AISC

CONNECT

Please feel free to connect and discuss how Lauren can support your school’s goals and vision for inclusion:

Email: lauren@laurenjonesconsulting.com
Website: www.laurenjonesconsulting.com