TESS
Total Education Systems Support
Inflating the tires, not reinventing the wheel ®
Our Story
TESS is committed to the building of capacity within educational organizations for the purpose of improving the quality of instruction, the resiliency and continuity of support systems, and successful student mastery of the curriculum.
TESS consultants have worked with schools across the country and can confirm the results of the research: Successful schools are focused on results, practices are aligned with intended outcomes, and leadership is valued and evident.
Randall Olson, Ed.D.
Dr. Randall Olson served as a superintendent for twenty-five years. From his experience in the academic arena, he came to recognize that quality and effective teaching could only occur in an environment that makes intentional decisions.
Successful academic and administrative practices must be embedded within the systems of the school. They then have a better chance of enduring to serve students more effectively through the years. The system must, therefore, be attuned to perpetuate best practices in budget, policy, training, and communication.
Gene Tavernetti, Ed.D.
Dr. Gene Tavernetti has been involved in education for over thirty years. He has served a coach, teacher, counselor, administrator, and consultant.
Dr. Tavernetti holds a core belief about children and adults: Given the right environment and proper support everyone can improve and succeed. This core belief has allowed Dr. Tavernetti to help his students, staffs, teachers, and administrators--with whom he now trains and coaches--to attain the levels of competence they desire.
Sherwin Low
Sherwin Low was a teacher, an administrator, and an instructional coach for over thirty-two years in Northern California before joining TESS nine years ago. He has coached in school districts throughout Northern and Southern California, and worked effectively with teachers from kindergarten to high school.
He firmly believes that effective classroom instruction is a result of teachers acquiring a working knowledge of the science of lesson delivery, and combining this knowledge with their own artistry and style.
Janae Tovar
Carin Contreras
Janae Tovar served as an ELD Specialist and English Learner Programs administrator before joining the TESS Consulting Group. Her passion for all students achieving at high levels, including English Learners, taught her that the key to student success is a rigorous learning environment which results from quality direct instruction.
Ms. Tovar has come to know the value of high expectations and of a shared vocabulary for effective instruction through her work with teachers and administrators at all levels.
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Carin Contreras joins the TESS team after 24 years of service in public education and with a passion for teaching and learning. Her roles in education have been varied: Elementary Principal in Title One and non Title One schools, District Office Director of Instruction, Assessment and Intervention, Elementary and Middle School teacher and Visual and Performing Arts Department Chairperson. She has consulted with West Ed, ACSA and the California Arts Project.
An unwavering belief that the best staff development model is centered in instructional coaching is at the core of her drive to assist schools in achieving their goals for maximum student achievement.