A. Keith Young

Educator Coach Trainer Author

Keith Young is an education coach, trainer, and writer whose passion and expertise have shaped the landscape of educational leadership. Born and raised in the Alabama foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, Keith's journey is as diverse and enriching as his professional one. His early experiences in humble beginnings instilled in him a deep understanding of the transformative power of education.

Keith’s instructional skills were honed by teaching secondary students for the U.S. government in Germany. This international exposure broadened his teaching horizon and ignited a lifelong passion for educational leadership and reform. From here, Keith's career trajectory took him through various roles as a district and school administrator in Arizona, Colorado, Puerto Rico, and Virginia. In these positions, he became known for his exceptional ability to turn around schools and significantly improve student outcomes, often in challenging environments.

At AKYConsulting, he channels decades of experience into empowering educators and leaders, reforming teaching methods, and developing innovative learning strategies. His practical approach and blended coaching model have significantly impacted both domestically and internationally. Now, Keith calls the lively coast of South Carolina his home, where he combines the tranquility of coastal life with the vibrancy of his ongoing mission. Keith and his husband, Marcio, spend a great deal of time doting on several of their parcel of 22 nephews and one niece (Shout out to Sofia!).

But Keith is more than just his professional accolades. His journey is a testament to the power of resilience, adaptability, and the relentless pursuit of growth. This personal narrative, combined with his professional expertise, makes Keith an authority in his field and a relatable and inspiring figure.

Connect with Keith, and you connect with a story of educational transformation, a tale of crossing continents and cultures, all to enrich the world of education. Join him on this journey and be part of the change, reshaping the future of learning and teaching.

Offering

With AKYConsulting, Keith partners with experienced educational leaders to provide training and coaching in:

- Administrator & Teacher Leadership Enhance your leadership skills with our personalized training programs, followed by on-site modeling and coaching. As a former turn-around principal, Keith provides hands-on demonstrations and works in more than 1,000 classrooms annually throughout the U.S. and abroad.

- Equitable Instruction Dive into basic and advanced instructional skills championing anti-racist and inclusive practices. During Keith’s district leadership, Department of Defense students led the nation on the NAEP writing assessment, and African-American students ranked first in the U.S. among all African-American students.

- Instructional Leadership Teams Elevate your team's effectiveness in leading curriculum and instruction. Several teams trained by AKYC maintain a strong track record of improved writing and reading outcomes for students.

- Student-focused Coaching Our extremely popular live modeling and training programs for instructional coaching are designed to refine teacher-coaching techniques. Opportunities for coaching training fill up quickly each year; reach out now to secure your professional development.

Books & Publications

The Instructional Coaching Handbook

This guidebook is a treasure trove of over 200 problem-solving strategies for instructional coaches and principals. Delve into chapters dedicated to crucial skills like Efficacy, Equity, and Academic Instruction. Purchase your copy on ASCD or Amazon.

Articles

Keith writes extensively about leadership, appearing in both Kappan and Educational Leadership magazines. Don't miss his latest insightful article in the October edition of EL magazine, The Fundamentals of Fast Feedback.

Training Design, Delivery, & Diplomacy

This 2023 practical guide, co-authored with Tamarra Osborne, is a must-have for trainers seeking to design and deliver impactful professional training. It receives high praise for those building train-the-trainer initiatives and is available for purchase on ASCD and Amazon.

Connect

Ready to transform your educational practice? Seeking to enhance leadership and coaching in your school? Contact Keith Young at AKYConsulting for a partnership that promises change.

Email hello@akyconsulting.com
Phone 480-287-1044

Embark on a journey of educational excellence with AKYConsulting – where we don't just train, we transform.

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Partners, Past & Present

Arizona Department of Education, Phoenix, AZ

Baptist Church Mission School, Faridpur, Bangladesh

California Department of Education, Sacramento, CA

California Environmental Protection Agency, Sacramento, CA

Department of Defense Education Activity, Alexandria, VA

First 5, San Francisco, CA

Frankfurt International School, Frankfurt, Germany

Illinois State Board of Education, Springfield, IL

Joliet Public Schools District 86, Joliet, IL

Los Angeles Unified School District, Los Angeles, CA

McGraw Hill, New York, NY

Mediterranean Association of International Schools, Madrid, Spain

Mesa Public Schools, Mesa, AZ

Monterey County Office of Education, Salinas, CA

Nogales Unified School District, Nogales, AZ

Norfolk Public Schools, Norfolk, VA

Peoria Unified School District, Peoria, AZ

Sacramento County Office of Education, Sacramento, CA

Shonto Preparatory School District, Shonto, AZ

South Bay Union School District, Imperial Beach, CA

Tennessee Child Care Resource & Referral Network, Chattanooga, TN

Troy Community Consolidated School District, Plainfield, IL

Valley View Community Unit School District, Romeoville, IL

Ventura County Office of Education, Ventura, CA

WestEd, Camarillo, CA

Windward District, Kaneohe, HI

Shape the Future of Education

At AKYConsulting, we believe in a future where every educational leader is empowered, every teacher is inspired, and every student thrives. Our mission is to provide the tools, knowledge, and support to realize this vision. Whether you're an aspiring school leader, a seasoned administrator, or a dedicated instructional coach, our services and resources are tailored to meet your unique needs.

With a legacy of success and innovation, Keith Young and the AKYConsulting team are your partners in crafting a brighter educational future. Reach out today to discuss how we can collaborate to elevate your educational environment. Together, we can achieve remarkable transformations in teaching and learning.

Unapologetically Committed to Equity, Inclusion, & Justice

At AKYConsulting, we don’t just talk about diversity, equity, and inclusion—we embody it in every aspect of our work. As a proudly queer-owned organization, we are unwavering in our commitment to dismantling systemic barriers, fostering equitable learning environments, and ensuring that every individual—regardless of identity or background—has access to high-quality instruction, opportunities, and support.

Equity is not an afterthought; it is the foundation of everything we do. We reject performative gestures and embrace real, transformative action. We hold ourselves and those we work with to the highest standards of inclusivity, creating spaces where marginalized voices are not only heard but centered.

We refuse to water down our mission or soften our stance to make others comfortable. Equity is not up for debate. It is a moral imperative, and we will continue to push forward, challenge injustice, and ensure that education—and society—becomes a space where all people thrive.

We are unapologetically bold, fiercely inclusive, and relentlessly committed to justice. If that makes some uncomfortable, then we know we are doing the work that truly matters.

Transforming Education, One Leader at a Time

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