Meet Eliana

Dr. Eliana Lipsky is an 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 or become a doctor. She was convinced it wasn't for her. The universe chuckled and quietly waited for Eliana to fall head-over-heels in love with teaching, curriculum design, and creative problem-solving. Humorously, she is now a Doctor of Education.

Over the past two decades, Eliana has worked across 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 crises (including a 36-hour pivot into sustainable pandemic learning) and core programmatic changes, and introduced empathic models like Think:Kids® Collaborative Problem Solving model into school cultures.

In 2023, Eliana stepped away from school leadership to pursue a long-held dream: a year traveling around the world with her husband and their four energetic and curious boys. (For curious readers, visit www.kirbyworldtour.com to learn more.) While traveling, Eliana consulted for non-profit organizations interested in expanding their education services, and mentored and consulted for other school leaders. Her family's journey gave Eliana fresh energy and perspective: E L Innovations would be a coaching and consulting practice rooted in empathy, clarity, authenticity, 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 change management, crisis management, fostering healthy communication practices between and across stakeholders, 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 writer, and a fierce believer in the power of thoughtful, human-centered decision-making and 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, reading about the intersection of neuroscience, human learning and development, and savoring small joyful moments that make life meaningful.

It is 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 on adolescent needs, change management, inclusive practices, classroom management, neurodiversity, and more.

Tools & Certifications

Certified Executive Coach
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