Meet Eliana

Meet Dr. Eliana Lipsky — educator, coach, consultant, creative problem solver, and founder of E L Innovations.

After two decades in Jewish and general education, including six years as a middle school principal, Eliana launched E L Innovations to help schools, leaders, and educators think boldly, collaborate meaningfully, and bring big ideas to life.

Eliana specializes in leadership coaching, curriculum design, and navigating complex challenges with empathy and clarity. I’m also a certified Collaborative Problem Solving practitioner, a published researcher, and a passionate advocate for inclusive, joyful learning.

In 2023, Eliana stepped away from school leadership to take her family on a yearlong, six-continent adventure. Now, she helps others design their next adventure — whether that’s in the classroom, the boardroom, or beyond.

Let’s create something powerful, together.

In 8th grade, Eliana confidently declared she’d never go into education — convinced it wasn't for her, or become a doctor Life, it turns out, had much better plans. She fell head-over-heels in love with teaching, curriculum design, and creative problem-solving — and eventually became a Doctor of Education, driven by a deep passion to support others in building more human-centered, joyful learning spaces.

Over the past two decades, she's worked across Jewish and general education settings as a teacher, school consultant, leadership coach, and middle school principal. Along the way, Eliana developed integrated humanities programs, coached teachers and leaders, helped schools grow their inclusion practices, led institutions through innovation (including a 36-hour pivot into sustainable pandemic learning), and introduced empathic models like Collaborative Problem Solving into school culture.

In 2023, Eliana stepped away from school leadership to pursue a long-held dream: a yearlong, six-continent adventure with her husband and our four energetic, wonderful boys. That journey — chronicled at kirbyworldtour.com — gave her fresh energy and perspective as she launched E L Innovations, a coaching and consulting practice rooted in empathy, clarity, and creativity.

Now, Eliana works with educators, leaders, schools, and mission-driven organizations to navigate complex challenges, build collaborative cultures, and bring visionary ideas to life. She specializes in curriculum and program design, leadership development, inclusive practices, and translating big-picture strategy into meaningful everyday action. Eliana is also a certified Collaborative Problem Solving practitioner, a published author, and a fierce believer in the power of thoughtful, people-first innovation.

Whether you're reimagining how your school supports learners, growing your leadership team, or just need a thought partner to help shape your next big move — E L Innovations is here to help. Eliana thrives at the intersection of theory and practice, where bold ideas meet practical implementation — and where people feel seen, supported, and empowered.

Outside of work, you’ll find Eliana volunteering in NICUs as a baby cuddler, enjoying the great outdoors, dancing and singing with her children, geeking out over curriculum frameworks, and savoring small joyful moments that make learning — and life — meaningful.

It her pleasure to help you bring calm to your chaos, ignite possibilities, and lead with purpose.

Why E L Innovations

Highlights of My Experience

Leadership & Administration

Former Middle School Principal, Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School (2017–2023), where I led strategic innovation, experiential learning, and inclusive school culture
Strategic thinker and team leader through COVID-19 crisis response, launching sustainable remote and hybrid learning models
Coach and mentor to teachers and school leaders, helping build capacity in team development, family partnerships, and leadership strategy
Developer of school-wide initiatives grounded in empathy, equity, and student-centered learning

Coaching & Consulting

Founder of EL Innovations, offering leadership coaching, teacher mentoring, and consulting for Jewish and general education schools
One-on-one and team coaching for educators and administrators in classroom management, curriculum design, and authentic assessment
Former consultant for REACH (Chicago) and JPDS-NC (Washington, D.C.), supporting curriculum integration, inclusive education, and community alignment
Specialist in navigating school-wide challenges with empathy, strategy, and Collaborative Problem Solving

Curriculum & Instruction

Expert in curriculum design and development, with deep experience in project-based learning, differentiated instruction, and inclusive classroom strategies
Designer of integrated humanities, social-emotional learning, and interdisciplinary curricula across grades K–12
Co-author of school-wide scope and sequence, advisory programs, and frameworks rooted in student voice and developmental alignment
Passionate about bridging theory and practice in curriculum work, from big-picture visioning to daily instructional tools

Publications & Thought Leadership

Published author in Small Schools Journal, HaYidion, Jewish Educational Leadership, and other educational journals on topics such as:
- Pluralism in day schools
- Student voice and whole-child learning
- Literacy and 21st-century learning
- School Partnering with Parents/Guardians
Presenter and facilitator of professional development on inclusive practices, classroom management, neurodiversity, and more.

Tools & Certifications

Ed.D. in Curriculum & Instruction, Loyola University Chicago
Certified Collaborative Problem Solving Practitioner, Think:Kids at Massachusetts General Hospital
Training in:
- Hidden Sparks Learning Lenses
- Facing History and Ourselves
- Trauma-informed teaching and learning
- Neurodiverse inclusion strategies

Areas of Expertise

Leadership development and coaching
Empathic school culture and behavior models
Inclusive education and neurodiversity
Curriculum and program design
Adolescent development and social-emotional learning
Strategic planning and implementation
Community and stakeholder engagement

Awards

2009 Gateways Samuel A. Nemzoff Book Prize for exemplifying best practices in education
2004 Boston University Hillel Ronald C. Curhan Award for outstanding leadership