Our Advantages

We bridge the gap between business leadership principles and the unique cultures of academic and K-12 educational institutions.

Relevant Expertise

Our specialized experience and expertise in K-12, higher educational, and non-profit settings allows us to understand the unique challenges you face as teachers, faculty members, and community leaders

Strengths-Based Approach

We’re thought partners who help you gain clarity on your strengths, desired areas for growth, and goals. We use your strengths to create a road map to attain your goals. (We’re not here to “fix” you!)

Customization and Flexibility

We customize — your package of services is designed specifically for you. We accommodate busy schedules and academic schedules using in-person, virtual, or hybrid formats

Practicality and Support

You’ll gain hands-on, practical skills and frameworks — and learn how to effectively use them. Unlike typical one-and-done professional development, we offer follow-up coaching and other support

About Peartree Pathways

A woman with short brown hair, wearing glasses, gold hoop earrings, a pearl necklace, a beige blazer, and a black blouse with white floral pattern, smiling against a gray background.

Kristen Perry, Ph.D. — Founder and Principal Consultant

I hold a Ph.D. in Educational Psychology and have extensive professional experiences in academic, educational, and non-profit environments:

  • 10+ years in higher education leadership

  • 25+ years in the field of education/teacher education

  • Executive positions on several non-profit boards

  • Service as a U.S. Peace Corps Volunteer

    • Associate Dean for Academic Administration in the university-wide Graduate School, guiding 250+ graduate programs for over 9,000 graduate students

    • Directing the university-wide WELD: Faculty and Staff Leadership Development program

    • Department Chair in an R1 university’s department of Curriculum & Instruction, where I led a team of 16 faculty members, 8 teaching assistants, and 10+ part-time instructors

    • Departmental Director of Graduate Studies, administering 2 doctoral programs, 3 masters programs, and 2 graduate certificate programs.

    • Co-directed two multi-million dollar, federally-funded teacher professional development programs that included intensive, longitudinal teacher coaching

    • Teaching education coursework at the doctoral, masters, and undergraduate levels

    • Mentoring countless doctoral and masters students

    • Supervision and coaching of student teachers, including in international settings

    • 6+ years as Board Secretary or Chair of the Publications Committee for the Literacy Research Association

    • 10 years of service on the Lexington Friends Preschool board, including leading the board through the Covid-19 pandemic as Chair from 2019-2021

    • 7+ years on the board of the International Book Project, including 4 years as Secretary

    • Service on the Research Advisory Council of the National Center for Families Learning

    • 2 years of in-service teacher training and HIV/AIDS community educational development as a Peace Corps Volunteer