About Abla Educational Services
Educational consulting grounded in classrooms, leadership, and real school systems.
Who We are
Your Professional Educational Consultant Partner
Abla Educational Services partners with PreK–12 schools and districts to strengthen instruction, leadership, and student well-being.
Our work is shaped by decades spent teaching, leading schools, and guiding district systems.
Founder & Lead Educational Consultant
Cheryl Abla
Nationally recognized educator, author, and consultant with more than 30 years of experience supporting teachers, leaders, and districts.
Author of:
- Teachables
- The New Classroom Instruction That Works
- Tools for Classroom Instruction That Works
Areas of focus:
- Student engagement & Tier 1 instruction
- Multilingual learner success
- Practical, research-based professional learning
100 + years of Combined experience
OUR APPROACH
Empowering growth through personalized guidance
At the heart of our work is a commitment to supporting educators and school leaders in meaningful, practical ways. We provide tailored guidance designed to strengthen instruction, leadership, and learning environments based on each school’s unique context.
Our Mission
To partner with educators and leaders to strengthen instruction, build leadership capacity, and support learning environments where every student can succeed.
Our Vision
Schools where strong instruction, effective leadership, and student well-being are deeply connected — and where improvement is sustainable over time.
Our Value
Rooted in partnership, respect for educators, and research-based practice. We are committed to practical solutions that support lasting growth in schools and districts.
Experienced Educational Consultants
Cheryl Abla is a nationally recognized educator, author, and consultant known for transforming classrooms into joyful, high-performing learning environments. With more than three decades of experience as a teacher, instructional coach, and Senior Consultant, Cheryl has worked with thousands of teachers, leaders, and districts across the United States and internationally. Her expertise centers on student engagement, multilingual learner success, creating welcoming classrooms, and strengthening Tier 1 instruction so that every student thrives.
Cheryl is the co-author of three influential books, Teachables, The New Classroom Instruction That Works, and Tools for Classroom Instruction That Works. Her work has shaped instructional practices in schools throughout the country. She is widely respected for her ability to simplify research-based strategies, model effective instruction on the spot, and equip educators with practical tools they can use immediately.
As the founder of Abla Educational Services, Cheryl partners with districts to design and deliver high-impact professional learning, new teacher induction systems, walkthrough and data analysis protocols, and ongoing coaching support. Her work is rooted in relationships. She is known for creating safe, energizing, and collaborative learning spaces where teachers feel valued, empowered, and inspired to grow.
Cheryl’s sessions are described as engaging, joyful, fast paced, and transformative. Teachers consistently walk away with new ideas, renewed confidence, and a clearer understanding of what great instruction can look like for students of all backgrounds and abilities.
Driven by her passion for teaching and her belief that all students deserve highly effective teachers, Cheryl continues to help schools elevate their practice, strengthen teacher capacity, and create classrooms where students belong, believe, and succeed.
Founder/Chief Consultant
Clay Abla is a seasoned education executive with more than three decades of K–12 leadership experience across school, district, and regional systems. His career spans roles as a teacher, principal, assistant superintendent, and district-level executive, providing him with a comprehensive understanding of governance, instruction, and organizational performance in public education
Most recently, Clay served as Director of Secondary Education for Littleton Public Schools in Colorado, where he held executive responsibility for three high schools, four middle schools, and one alternative campus serving more than 6,000 students. He led and evaluated secondary principals, directed system-wide improvement in curriculum, instruction, assessment, and student services, and served on the superintendent’s expanded leadership team, contributing to districtwide strategy and policy development
Clay has led high-impact initiatives focused on instructional coherence, leadership capacity, and future-ready systems. His work includes the design and launch of interdisciplinary career pathway programs, the transformation of traditional technology labs into innovative STEM Centers, and the implementation of standards-based teaching and learning models at scale. He is widely recognized for his ability to align vision, strategy, and execution to produce sustainable improvement across complex organizations
Through Abla Educational Services, Clay partners with school districts and leadership teams to strengthen Tier 1 instruction, develop effective leaders, and build systems that support long-term improvement. His approach is collaborative, data-informed, and grounded in practical experience while helping education leaders translate strategic priorities into measurable outcomes for students and schools.
Senior Consultant
Nate Thompson is a nationally recognized leader, speaker, and consultant with more than three decades of experience dedicated to strengthening the well-being of students, families, and school communities. His career spans roles as a child and family therapist, clinical director, nonprofit executive, and district leader, giving him a comprehensive perspective on mental health, safety, and systems-level support in education.
Since 2008, Nate has led the development of comprehensive school mental health systems in Littleton Public Schools (Colorado), helping the district become a national model for integrated care. His work focuses on aligning mental health, safety, and educational systems through innovative approaches, including interdisciplinary collaboration, strategic funding models, research partnerships, and student-centered initiatives.
Nate is widely recognized for his expertise in school crisis response, threat assessment, and psychological safety protocols. He has supported school districts, agencies, and leadership teams across the United States and internationally in building cohesive systems that proactively address student needs while strengthening organizational resilience.
He is also the co-creator of Mental Notes, a digital mental health curriculum designed to help students better understand their brains, develop resilience, and build lifelong coping strategies. His work consistently bridges research and practice, translating complex concepts in trauma, neuroscience, and behavior into practical tools educators can apply immediately.
Through his leadership and consulting, Nate partners with schools and organizations to design integrated systems that support student safety, emotional well-being, and long-term success. His approach is collaborative, data-informed, and grounded in real-world experience, helping leaders create environments where both students and educators can thrive.
Nate Thompson
Senior Consultant
OUR EXPERTISE
Experienced and trusted educational consultants
Partnering with schools and districts through experienced educators who understand classrooms, leadership, and school systems.
100+
Years of Combined Experience
Collective experience across classrooms, schools, and district leadership roles.
National
School & District Partnerships
Supporting PreK–12 schools and districts across the United States and internationally.
Published
Authors & Thought Leaders
Contributors to respected books, articles, and professional learning resources.
Proven
Research-Based Practice
Strategies grounded in educational research and refined through real-world implementation.
WHY PARTNER WITH US
The Abla Educational Services Difference
Abla Educational Services is intentionally small, deeply experienced, and relationship-driven. We work alongside schools and districts as partners — not vendors — adapting our support to your goals, culture, and community.
We listen before we lead
Our work begins with understanding your context, challenges, and priorities.
Support is job-embedded, not one-and-done
We stay connected beyond workshops to support real implementation.
Instruction, leadership, and well-being are treated as connected
We don’t silo the work — we strengthen systems as a whole.
Research-informed, practitioner-tested
Strategies are grounded in research and refined through real classrooms and schools.
Trusted partners during change
Schools rely on us during moments of growth, transition, and challenge.
People-first approach
Relationships, respect, and professional trust guide everything we do.
Let’s Strengthen Your School or District
Partner with Abla Educational Services to improve instruction, develop leaders, and support student success.
Our Partners
Partnering with top experts and organizations
Let’s Strengthen Your School or District
Partner with Abla Educational Services to improve instruction, develop leaders, and support student success.