About Me
I am a “Swiss army knife” - an experienced and versatile education leader with a proven track record of success across multiple functional areas. With a strategic and data-driven approach, I am committed to helping education leaders and their teams overcome their most pressing challenges. From curriculum and assessment, to financial management, to fundraising, my expertise spans the spectrum of educational operations.
As a seasoned problem-solver, I thrive on tackling complex issues and fostering innovative solutions. I aim to empower education leaders by honing their team’s strategic, analytical, and creative problem-solving skills. Together, we can build a stronger foundation for your organization's success, one challenge at a time.
My Background
Elissa Klein is a dedicated education leader, co-founder, and former Chief of Staff of ReGeneration Schools, a nonprofit charter management organization in Chicago and Cincinnati. As Chief of Staff, Elissa led all non-instructional work, building the home office and stewarding the leadership team and organizational strategy. ReGeneration Schools was recognized as the top charter network in Illinois, placing in the top 4% nationally for reading, as highlighted by a 2023 Stanford University study.
During her tenure at ReGeneration, Elissa secured funding and support for the organization's growth. She wrote applications and gained acceptance to Charter School Growth Fund and Charter Network Accelerator. Her writing raised $5.5 million to facilitate ReGeneration's expansion to Cincinnati, and she successfully authored the charter application for ReGeneration’s first Cincinnati turnaround school.
Elissa's charter management experience began in Chicago, where she supported the turnaround of three struggling Chicago International Charter Schools (CICS): CICS Avalon, CICS Basil, and CICS Washington Park. Within three years, these schools raised student achievement from the bottom 17% of Illinois to the top 39%. By 2019, all three schools ranked in the U.S. News top 10 charter elementary schools in Illinois.
Elissa developed her passion for urban education helping to found Uncommon Schools’ Rochester Prep. She has taught with Citizen Schools in Boston, MA, and developed math assessments for Achievement Network. Elissa holds a B.A. from Williams College, an Ed.M. from Harvard Graduate School of Education, and an M.A. in Educational Leadership from the Broad Center.