Chris Atkinson
CEO | Strategic Leader | Instructional Designer
Chris Atkinson is a passionate, detail-oriented leader with over 20 years of proven experience in driving educational excellence and organizational transformation. As the CEO and Owner of School Culture Matters, Chris leverages his extensive background as a Superintendent, Principal, and Consultant to help schools elevate their leadership through strategic planning and the cultivation of healthy organizational cultures.
Throughout his career, Chris has been recognized as a state and national leader in Educational Technology. His leadership at Carmel Clay Schools spanned 17 years, during which he maintained a 99% teacher retention rate and consistently led A-rated institutions. A Google Certified Innovator and Gemini Certified Educator, Chris is an expert in systems integration, having pioneered the adoption of Google Workspace and STEM initiatives at the district level.
Speaking & Expertise
Chris is a prolific speaker and facilitator, regularly presenting at prestigious national and state conferences including:
- National Level: ISTE (2010, 2013), ASCD (2015), and ICE (2012–2018).
- State & Local Level: HECC (2013–2016), the Indiana Association of Public School Superintendents, and various IDOE webinars.
He holds a Master’s in Educational Leadership and Administration from Ball State University and a Bachelor of Science from Taylor University. Beyond his administrative roles, Chris has served as an Adjunct Faculty member at Indiana University (IUPUI) and is a certified Cognitive Coach.
Based in Cincinnati, OH, Chris continues to impact the educational landscape through coaching, digital branding, and data-driven strategic planning.
Customized Educational Leadership Consulting
Building on his extensive background as an Interim Superintendent and A-rated Principal, Chris Atkinson offers customized Educational Leadership Consulting specifically designed to support school and district leaders in navigating the complexities of modern education.
His consulting services through School Culture Matters focus on the following key areas:
Strategic Leadership & Organizational Health
- Strategic Planning: Leading turn-around efforts and developing comprehensive multi-year strategic plans that align with organizational goals.
- Culture Audits: Assessing and building healthy school cultures to improve teacher retention (demonstrated by his own 99% retention rate as a leader) and student engagement.
- Organizational Management: Designing efficient systems and processes to overhaul school operations, including fiscal transformation and LMS integration.
Innovation & Tech-Enabled Leadership
- AI-Enabled Leadership: Leveraging emerging technologies like Gemini to streamline administrative tasks and enhance instructional leadership.
- Tech-Enabled Leadership: Scaling digital initiatives such as Google Workspace, Makerspaces, and STEM programming from the classroom to the district level.
- Data-Driven Solutions: Creating customized data analysis tools (Excel/Google Sheets) to monitor intervention progress and drive student learning outcomes.
Professional Development & Instructional Excellence
- Customized Professional Learning: Designing and leading both in-person and virtual professional development via platforms like Canvas and Google Classroom.
- Literacy & Curriculum Expertise: Providing guidance on curriculum design and evaluating student growth to ensure high academic standards.
- Leadership Coaching: Utilizing Certified Cognitive Coaching to mentor administrators and department heads in building high-performing teams.