MEET THE TEAM

Jean Chlebek helps school leaders in the midwest improve the quality of instruction at an aggregate scope and classroom and student level. Ms. Chlebek supports instructional coaches in planning and delivering high-quality professional development by giving feedback, sharing best practices, and providing resources. She oversees all instructional systems and academic initiatives and supports all schools through the reauthorization process, accreditation, and turnaround planning. In addition to Jean’s academic role, she also manages company-wide communications and marketing efforts. She supervises social media, press releases, media interaction, promotional materials, and supporting academies with public relations within her communications and marketing role. Ms. Chlebek is a graduate of Eastern Michigan University with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and a Master of Arts in K-12 Administration. Jean is a career educator passionate about education reform and student academic success.

Jennifer joined the Department of Academic Achievement as a Math Instructional Cycle Coach in July of 2019. She earned her undergraduate degree in mathematics and business administration from Adrian College and her master in education and teacher certification from the University of Michigan. Jennifer began her career in education with Project SEED, a non-profit organization, where she facilitated advanced math concepts to 3rd-8th grade students in Pontiac and Detroit, MI. She trained teachers in engagement techniques, question asking-strategies and lesson planning in Detroit, MI., Phoenix, AZ. and Indianapolis, IN. She planned and presented parent workshops over the incorporation of math outside of the classroom along with refreshing their prior knowledge in concepts many students struggle to master to better support their children. She was a middle school math interventionist at University Yes Academy and taught all levels of middle school math at MacDowell Preparatory Academy in Detroit, MI prior to joining The Leona Group family. Jennifer provides support to the academies with math curriculum training and implementation, MTTC (6-12 math) study materials, MICIP, academic goal reporting, the instructional learning cycle, utilizing data to drive instruction and the use of instructional best practices in order to increase student achievement.

Brittany Corkins began her journey with The Leona Group in 2016 in the budget and finance department. In 2016, Ms. Corkins transitioned to her current role as administrative assistant to our CEO, Dr. Coats, and the executive team. In her current role, Brittany provides high-level management support to the executive team and department of academic achievement. These responsibilities encompass a variety of essential functions that support our day-to-day Midwest operations including managing the corporate calendar and schedule, coordinating executive and corporate meetings, assisting with company-wide projects and compiling school-based reports. Ms. Corkins is passionate about ensuring the corporate office operates efficiently and making certain every guest feels welcomed!

David Meloche began working with The Leona Group in 2005. During this time, he has been an Instructional Coach, a District Curriculum Director, and a School Leader before joining the Department of Academic Achievement as the Academic Performance & Data Manager. He assumed the position as Data Management Coordinator in August 2018. In this role, he oversees the maintenance of the student information system (PowerSchool) and provides support to school office managers in the area of pupil accounting and state compliance. He continues to support our academies in the collection and analysis of student/school data, state & local assessments, and school improvement planning, implementation, and reporting/compliance. Dave provides professional development and support in grading practices, gradebooks & reporting, and utilizing PowerSchool. Over the last several years he has played a pivotal role on the team that developed Standards-referenced grading practices for all Leona schools and in the creation (and evolution) of the TLG Standards-Based Report Card (K-8). Dave has a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Western Ontario, as well as a Bachelor of Education degree and a Master of Arts degree from the University of Windsor. He received his Ontario Teachers Certificate (Primary/Junior) from the University of Windsor.

Jaime Steward started with the Department of Academic Achievement in January of 2023. Prior to joining the team she worked at César Chávez Academy Upper Elementary in southwest Detroit for over ten years. She taught fourth grade for seven years and then moved into the role of Instructional Coach for the three and a half years before joining the DAA. Jaime earned both her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education with an endorsement in English Language Arts and her Master of Arts in K-12 Administration from Eastern Michigan University.

Dawn Baxter began her role as the Instructional Learning Cycle Coach for the Department of Academic Achievement in August of 2015. Dawn graduated from Eastern Michigan University with her Bachelor’s Degree in Language, Literature and Writing for Secondary Teachers. She then relocated to Las Vegas where she taught seventh grade writing for two years. After returning to Michigan, Dawn taught 6 th grade ELA for six years and became the ELA instructional coach at a charter school in Southfield. She earned her Master’s Degree in Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment and was a member of the Aspiring Leaders Program with the Michigan Association of Public School Academies. ​Dawn provides support to the academies with implementing the instructional learning cycle, utilizing data to drive instruction and the use of instructional best practices in order to increase student achievement.

Bio coming soon!