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Thomas M. Van Soelen

Thomas Van Soelen, PhD, is a professional development trainer and leadership coach. His areas of expertise include instructional strategies, learning communities, critical friendship, leadership development, and teacher evaluation.

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Thomas M. Van Soelen

Thomas Van Soelen, PhD, is a professional development trainer and leadership coach. His areas of expertise include instructional strategies, learning communities, critical friendship, leadership development, and teacher evaluation.

Previously, Dr. Van Soelen worked in public and private schools across multiple states, teaching every grade level from prekindergarten through grade 12. He has also taught undergraduate and graduate courses. Most recently, he served as the associate superintendent for the City Schools of Decatur, Georgia, a position he held for eight years.

Dr. Van Soelen is a member of AASA, Learning Forward, and ASCD and was elected to serve on the national board of The School Reform Initiative. His writing has been published in several journals and periodicals, including Journal of Staff Development, Principal Leadership, Education Week, and School Administrator.

Dr. Van Soelen holds bachelor’s degrees in elementary education, music education, and vocal performance from Dordt University, a master’s degree in elementary education and an educational specialist degree in educational leadership from Florida Atlantic University, and a doctorate in elementary education from the University of Georgia.


Presentations by Thomas M. Van Soelen

  • From Doing Discussion Protocols to Using Them
  • Building Facilitation Expertise with Discussion Protocols
  • Creating Meetings that Matter with E4
  • Crafting Written Feedback That Makes a Difference
  • Exploring Yourself: Equity Stories
  • Writing Observational Feedback Teachers Crave
  • Coaching for Busy School Leaders