Dr. Rita Marler, Co-founder and Shan Jorgenson-Adam, Co-founder and PresidentFor Dr. Rita Marler and Shan Jorgenson-Adam, that question is rooted in over six decades of combined experience leading school systems at the highest level. As a former superintendent and deputy superintendent, they worked at the school and division level, shaping strategy, supporting educators, and navigating leadership from both sides.
After retiring, they found themselves at a crossroad, because they felt their work was far from over. “We weren’t done yet,” says Shan Jorgenson-Adam, co-founder and president. “We still had more to give.”
They saw capable educators step into leadership roles unprepared for the job’s complexity, while schools with strong potential struggled because leaders lacked the support to address challenges effectively. Walking away from that wasn’t an option.
So they built JAM Consulting, drawing from their experience inside school systems and strategies they used as leaders. The company was created to help school leaders manage their roles through practical strategies, direct mentorship, and support grounded in today’s realities.
At the core is a clear belief: when leadership improves, teaching improves and student outcomes follow. Rather than treating leadership as separate from the classroom, JAM Consulting focuses on strengthening instructional leadership so decisions at the top translate into better learning experiences.
That belief shapes how the company works. School divisions connect with them after presentations through organizations such as the College of Alberta School Superintendents, attending one of their professional learning sessions or through referrals. A system-level conversation follows, where division leaders outline their context, challenges, and the schools or administrators needing support.
The work includes full- or half-day visits, classroom walkthroughs, observing teaching and learning in real time, and meetings with principals and vice principals to understand strengths and pressure points. Each visit is followed by detailed feedback, practical next steps, and a clear action plan, creating an ongoing cycle of observation, reflection, and action.
-
Our work is grounded in educational research, so what we share goes beyond opinion and reflects strategies proven to be effective in practice.
“We don’t come in with a set agenda,” says Dr. Rita Marler, co-founder. “We listen to what leaders need and build support around that.”
Most of the JAM’s work focuses on two critical areas. Many principals become overwhelmed by administrative demands, leaving little time to focus on teaching and learning. JAM Consulting helps leaders shift from managing operations to prioritizing instructional leadership and redirect attention towards classrooms.
It also assists leaders to build confidence in navigating difficult conversations. Whether addressing performance concerns or bringing staff into alignment around a shared vision, leaders hesitate out of concern for preserving relationships. Rita and Shan work through these conversations step by step, sometimes rehearsing them in advance so leaders can approach them with clarity and confidence.
The results of this work are tangible. In a northern Alberta high school, two relatively new administrators led a reluctant staff with a history of stalled progress. Through ongoing mentorship, regular visits, and practical coaching, the JAM Consulting rebuilt confidence and culture. Each month, feedback turned into action, and action into momentum. Within a year, staff engagement improved, leadership became more consistent, and the school was recognized within their division as one of the strongest-performing environments. The administrators themselves became a resource for others.
Beyond school engagements, JAM Consulting has written leadership courses for the College of Alberta School Superintendents, contributed to research with the University of Calgary, and co-authored ‘You’re a Principal Now! What’s Next?.’ The company also supports women in leadership and is expanding work with aspiring leaders always with the goal to improve student success.
Looking ahead, JAM Consulting aims to expand its reach while maintaining the close, collaborative approach that defines its impact.
“We’re here because of the students,” Jorgenson-Adam emphasizes. “If we can support leaders, we can improve schools and that shapes what’s possible for every child in those classrooms.”
Through its leadership-focused approach, the company has also earned recognition as a Top Educational Consulting Firm in Canada. JAM Consulting believes that strong schools are built through leadership that turns vision into measurable impact, and it is helping school leaders lead that change.
