ABOUT INCLUSIVE LEADERSHIP LAB
“We support schools by helping to decrease the time students
spend outside the classroom, and increase the quality of time in classrooms with the most at-risk student populations.”
~ Dr. Nikki Harding
About Dr. Nikki Harding
Founder of The Inclusive Leadership Lab | Educational Consultant | Instructional Leadership Coach
With over 20 years of experience in education—as a teacher, special education director, technical assistance provider, and leadership coach—I’ve seen firsthand how school systems can either empower or exhaust the people within them. I founded The Inclusive Leadership Lab to help school and district leaders create sustainable systems that support teacher retention, student success, and inclusive practices grounded in integrity—not compliance.
But this work isn’t just professional for me—it’s personal. As a parent of a young adult with Down syndrome, I’ve navigated the education system from both sides. I’ve experienced the frustration of a broken system and the power of what’s possible when we lead with empathy and clarity.
What We Do
At The Inclusive Leadership Lab, we provide personalized, research-based professional learning for schools and districts across the country. We specialize in instructional leadership, inclusive education, and high-impact coaching models designed to help schools thrive—especially those facing the greatest challenges.
Our services include:
🔹 On-Demand Graduate-Level Courses
We offer a growing library of flexible, accredited professional development courses for educators, covering topics such as instructional leadership, behavior management, AI in education, and special education best practices.
🔹 AI-Enhanced Instructional Coaching
Our hybrid coaching model combines artificial intelligence with human expertise to provide teachers with timely, actionable feedback that improves instruction and reduces burnout. All tools are HIPAA and FERPA compliant.
🔹 Train-the-Trainer & Capacity Building
We help districts build internal leadership capacity by training coaches and administrators to scale effective practices across buildings and systems.
🔹 Instructional Leadership Coaching
Our flagship program offers transformational leadership training aligned with research on effective school leadership. We coach principals and system leaders to foster strong organizational climates, improve instructional quality, and retain high-performing staff.
(For more about our services, click here)
Why Our Support is Different
So much professional development is a one-day event—expensive, disconnected from daily practice, and quickly forgotten. Districts spend thousands on training that never makes it into the classroom. We do things differently.
Our model is layered, sustained, and job-embedded. We provide personalized, on-the-job coaching for teachers, targeted support for instructional coaches, and leadership development for school and district teams. We walk alongside your staff throughout the year, helping them apply research-based strategies in real time—so theory actually becomes practice. And because we co-design the plan with you, everything is aligned to your district goals and scheduled with intention.
This isn’t just PD—it’s an investment in your people and your system. Our goal is to build your team’s internal capacity so the impact lasts long after we leave. That’s what makes our approach worth it—and why schools who work with us see real, lasting results.
Our Mission
We exist to help schools retain great teachers, reduce behavioral disruptions, and build inclusive systems where everyone feels a sense of belonging—not through quick fixes, but through sustainable leadership development and evidence-based support.
Why Schools Choose Us
School leaders partner with us when:
Teacher turnover is rising
Student behavior is escalating
Special education systems are under strain
Leadership teams need clarity, confidence, and a cohesive framework
We don’t offer one-size-fits-all solutions. We customize every engagement based on your goals, your team, and your community’s needs.
Let’s Build Something That Lasts
If you're a superintendent, principal, or leadership team member looking to strengthen your systems and support your staff, we’re here to help.
📩 Let’s connect to talk about how we can support your school or district.
[Contact Us] or [Schedule a Free Discovery Call]