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ABOUT US

McGrath Training Systems was founded in 1989 to educate school personnel in risk control and compliance practices that are legally fit and educationally sound. Our practical solutions empower people to bring both legal integrity and personal responsibility to their everyday school and work environments, while boosting employee and student performance.

 

Educators have made a profound difference in the lives of our team and we honor them deeply. That is why all McGrath programs have been designed to go far beyond teaching the minimum legal duty of safeguarding students and employees. The objective of our courses is to inspire the participants to bring forth their personal best and create a safe and responsive climate in which the real work of education can get done.

 

Those who participate in our programs:

 

• Learn Methods and Techniques to Identify and Avoid Harm and Liability

 

• Learn Practical, Easy-to-Use Tools for Effective Resolution

 

• Learn the Importance of Integrity in Every Process

 

• Act within a Framework of Personal and Organizational Growth

 

At McGrath, we have your back. We provide training solutions that shield educators and students from harm and liability and, most importantly, inspire participants to new levels of achievement, synergy and leadership in the school and work environment.

About: About Us
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ABOUT OUR FOUNDER

MaryJo McGrath, JD

McGrath Training Solutions’ programs are based on intellectual material and methodology created and developed by MaryJo McGrath, JD,  Ms. McGrath has since 1980 been widely recognized for her groundbreaking transformational models and applications for leadership, communication, supervision, evaluation as well as safety in schools, particularly from sexual harassment, misconduct, bullying and discrimination.

EXPERIENCE YOU CAN COUNT ON

Over the last 25 years, our training has helped more than 250,000 school district administrators and employees throughout the United States and Canada create safer and more effective K-12 environments.

'The quality of the McGrath training leaves the participants equipped to spot bullying and harassment quickly. They are able to think through the important issues and take the best steps to conduct effective investigations."

Heather Hirsch

School Climate Coordinator

Minnesota Department of Education
Minneapolis, MN

“[McGrath's True-Speak program] allows us to speak the same language when it comes to building relationships, coaching and supervising others. … This system of communication has made its way into the culture of Long Beach Unified to build capacity and maintain healthy, professional relationships.”

Long Beach Unified School District
Long Beach, CA

"The implementation of the SUCCEED System has promoted a culture of accountability for our entire School District. Our leaders are more direct and factual in communication both verbally and in writing. Principals are improving teacher and employee performance and acknowledging when the job is well done. This system is now in the fabric of our daily practices and has been a major contributing factor in maintaining our reputation for high academic results. It has been a systemic, on-going change, not a one-stop staff development training. Some days I personally use the tool twenty times or more — for everything!”

Kathie Crume
Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources
Academy School District Twenty
Colorado Springs, CO

"Using the SUCCEED System there are phenomenal gains from just a short verbal or written communication, done according to the constructive and principled model of the System. The McGrath system is the tool that moves people forward, in a streamlined and structured way. The principals develop the habit of acknowledging the positive and correcting the negative, leaving the human being on the other side intact in their personhood...

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SUCCEED is a simple system with powerful results.”

Joan Roberts
Department of Curriculum and Instruction
Monterey County Office of Education
Salinas, CA

"Throughout all the years we’ve been doing training to improve the quality of performance, Mary Jo McGrath’s SUCCEED training is by far the best we have ever done. I can honestly say it is the only staff training and development that has resulted in a systemic change in how we supervise and evaluate employee performance. The quality of this program is unsurpassed. We initially implemented it twelve years ago, and in each succeeding year, our principals have found it increasingly useful.”

Dr. Glen Smartschan
Superintendent
Mt. Lebanon School District
Mt. Lebanon, PA

"The SUCCEED with TRUE-SPEAK training has been one of the most practical and useful courses we have offered our administrators. The skills taught are immediately applicable in many aspects of a principal's daily life. We especially love the focus on developing stronger teachers and building positive relationships while still addressing struggling employees."

David Marotz 
Principle
Fremont School District #215
St Anthony, ID

"The McGrath Training system for school administrators and supervisors is without a doubt the most valuable training I received in over 30 years as a school principal, central office administrator, and superintendent. The training provides much needed training in helping supervisors to honestly and ethically lead others for growth and improvement while providing the necessary legal protections for all in the process. Because it was developed by an expert in the legal field it affords security to administrators and supervisors when they must have necessary, but sometimes difficult, conversations with those they have the responsibility to lead. This training truly teaches participants to lead with the heart, while using their heads! As participants implement this training with fidelity they will know they have discharged their moral and assigned authority to lead with integrity. I observed the fruits of this training in 3 of the districts where I was privileged to serve as superintendent."

Ron Tolman
Superintendent
Box Elder School District
Utah. EE.UU.

"I have been using the McGrath Communication TRUE-SPEAK system since 1993 and am now a certified trainer in Canada. TRUE-SPEAK has helped me in my work as a teacher, school administrator, district administrator, and most recently as a human resources consultant. I have consistently received positive feedback from employees, parents, colleagues, and union leaders about my work. Their responses speak to my non-threatening approach to supporting and encouraging others' learning and growth, as well as to my personalized notes of appreciation. Even when my task is to be disciplinary, I am thanked for the time and effort I give to being respectful and supportive.

I am very grateful that I learned the TRUE-SPEAK framework and for the ongoing support I have received from McGrath Training Solutions as I have endeavored to hone my skills over the years. The two-day course I took in 1993 was the best professional development of my career!"

Diane Rhenisch
Director of Instruction  
School District 72
Campbell River, British Columbia, Canada

"I have worked in Human Resources for more than 30 years. I found the McGrath Training Solutions 20 years ago and felt that I needed to become a trainer for the program to be able to continue the great work with our school administration. I've trained hundreds of people over the past 20 years and many of the veteran administrators comment that they wished they had this training early on in their career. My organization now all speaks the "McGrath language" and we are grateful to be able to work more effectively with our staff. Thank you to the McGrath team for your continued support and updates over the past 20 years."

Flip Steinour
Lancaster-Lebanon IU 13
Lancaster, PA

"This training was wonderful! I attended SUCCEED with TRUE-SPEAK, and Billie Jo was very knowledgeable. She was able to keep the material interesting, and it was well-paced day of great learning."

Jill Synowiec
Secretary to the Executive Director of Human Resources
Monroe Public Schools
Monroe, MI

"Detailed training that aligns with rules and regulations to ensure practices are in compliance with the law."

Kyley Ybarra
Assistant Superintendent
Riverside Unified School District
Riverside, CA

Select Professional Organizations

 

  • American Association of School Administrators

  • American Association of School Personnel Administrators

  • American Association of University Women

  • Arkansas Association of School Personnel Administrators

  • Association of Gender Equity Leaders in Education

  • Association of California School Administrators

  • British Columbia Association of School Personnel Administrators

  • California School Boards Association

  • Education Law Association

  • Georgia Association of School Personnel Administrators

  • KanLEAD, KS

  • Montana Academy forLeadership Development

  • National Association of Elementary School Principals

  • National Association of Secondary School Principals Stop Educator Sexual Abuse

  • National Association of Security and Law Enforcement Officers

  • National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification

  • National Middle Schools Association

  • National School Boards Association

  • Nevada Coalition Against Sexual Violence

  • Pennsylvania Association of School Personnel Administrators

  • Public Agency Risk Managers Association

  • San Juan Administrator Training Academy, NM

  • The State Bar of California

  • Wyoming Leadership Academy

Select Risk Pool/Insurance Clients and Associations

 

  • Select Risk Pool/Insurance Clients and Associations

  • Association of Government Risk Pools (AGRiP)

  • Public Risk Management Association (PRIMA)

  • Alliant Insurance Services (formerly Driver Alliant)

  • Colorado School Districts Self-Insurance Pool

  • MASB-SEG Property/Casualty Pool (MI)

  • Misconduct and Exploitation (SESAME)

  • Nevada Public Agency Insurance Pool

  • Organization of Self-Insured Schools (CA)

  • Special Districts Association of Oregon

  • Utica National Insurance Group Offices:

  • Home Office

  • Eastern

  • New England

  • Middle Atlantic

  • Southeastern, and

  • Republic-Franklin Regional

  • Washington Schools Risk Management Pool

  • West San Gabriel Valley Joint Powers Authority (CA)

Select On-Site Training Clients

 

ABC USD, CA · Aberdeen SD 6-1, SD · Academy SD 20, CO · Alhambra CSD, CA · Apple Valley SD, CA · Area Education Agency 7, IA · Association of California Community College Administrators · Association of California School Administrators · Bakersfield City ESD, CA · Banning USD, CA · Barstow USD, CA · Berea City SD, OH · Berryessa UESD, CA · Beverly Hills USD, CA · Bibb County SD, GA · Black Hills Special Services Cooperative, SD · Blaine County SD, ID · Bloomington ISD, TX · Blue Springs SD R-IV, MO · British Columbia Superintendents’ Association · Butte County Office of Ed, CA · Caddo PSD, LA · California Association of Large Suburban SDs · California School Boards Association · California School Leadership Academy · California School Personnel Commission Association· California State University at Long Beach · Campbell County SD 1, WY · Campbell County SD, KY · Campbell UHSD, CA · Cape Cod Community College, MA · Capital Area IU, PA · Carbon County SD, WY · Carlsbad Municipal SD, NM · Carlsbad USD, CA · Carpinteria USD, CA · Castro Valley USD, CA · Cedar USD, AZ · CESA No. 7, WI · Chattanooga PSD, TN · Chico USD, CA · Chino USD, CA · Chula Vista City SD, CA · Clay County Schools, FL · Coast Community College District, CA · Compton USD, CA · Contra Costa County Head Start, CA · Covington City SD, TN · Crete PSD, NE · Culver City USD, CA · Dallas PSD, TX · Deer Park UFSD, NY · Delaware State DOE · Des Moines PSD, IA · Devil’s Lake PSD, ND · District of Columbia PSD, WA · Downey USD, CA · East Side UHSD, CA · East Whittier City ESD, CA · Ector County ISD, TX · Edison Schools Project (National) · Elko County SD, NV · Erie 1 BOCES, NY · Escondido UHSD, CA · Everett PSD, WA · Fairbanks North Star Borough SD, AK · Fairfield City SD, OH · Fall River JUSD, CA · Family Resource Center of Lincoln County · Farmington MSD, NM · Folsom-Cordova USD, CA · Fontana USD, CA · Frederick County PSD, MD · Fremont USD, CA · Fresno USD, CA · Gaylord Community SD, MI · Gilroy USD, CA · Glendale Community College District, CA · Granite SD, UT · Grossmont UHSD, CA · Hawthorne SD, CA · Heartland AEA 11, IA · Helena SD 1, MT · Hillside SD, NJ · Horry County SD, SC · Humboldt County SD, NV · Huntington Beach UHSD, CA · Idaho State DOE · Illinois Dean’s Association · Imperial County Office of Ed, CA · Inglewood USD, CA · Intercultural Development Research Association, TX · Interwest Equity Assistance Center, CO · Irvine USD, CA · Jurupa USD, CA · KanLEAD, KS Jefferson County SD, ID· Kansas City SD, MO · Kaw Area Technical School, KS · Lander County SD, NV · Kings Canyon SD, CA · Lafayette ESD, CA · Laguna Beach USD, CA · Lake County Office of Ed, CA · Lake Elsinore USD, CA · Lakeside USD, CA · Laramie County SD 1, WY · Las Cruces PSD, NM · Las Virgenes USD, CA · Lawndale SD, CA · Lincoln County SD, WY · Livingston USD, CA · Lompoc USD, CA · Long Beach USD, CA · Los Angeles County Office of Ed, CA · Lovington MSD, NM · Macomb ISD, MI · Madera USD, CA · Manchester City SD, TN · Manteca USD, CA · Marin County Office of Ed, CA · Marysville SD, WA · McAllen ISD, TX · MCOE Head Start · Memphis City Schools, TN · Metropolitan Nashville PSD, TN · Mendocino County Office of Ed, CA · Merced County Office of Ed, CA · Midland ISD, TX · Midwest Equity Assistance Center, KS · Milford BOE, CT · Millstream Career Cooperative, OH · Milpitas USD, CA · Mineral County SD, NV · Montebello USD, CA · Monterey County Office of Ed, CA · Monterey Peninsula USD, CA · Moorpark College, CA · Morgan County SD, CO · Mount St. Mary’s College, CA · Mountain View-Los Altos UHSD, CA · Mt. Lebanon SD, PA · Mukilteo SD, WA · National Association of Elementary School Principals · National Association of Secondary School Principals · Natrona County SD 1, WY · Nebraska State DOE · Nevada Project LEAD, NV · Nevada State DOE · New Jersey Community Colleges · New Jersey Educational Opportunity Funding Professionals · Newark USD, NJ · Newhall ESD, CA · Newport-Mesa USD, CA · Niagara Falls City SD, NY · Nome City SD, AK · North Cook ISC, IL · Northern Indiana ESC, IN · Northwest Arkansas ESC, AR · Norwalk-La Mirada USD, CA · New Jersey Community College · Nye County SD, NV · Oak Grove ESD, CA · Oakdale JUHSD, CA · Oakland USD, CA · Ocean View SD, CA · Oceanside USD, CA · Ohio State DOE · Olympic ESD 114, WA · Omaha PSD, NE · Orange USD, CA · Orchard SD, CA · Palm Springs USD, CA · Palos Verdes Peninsula SD, CA · Paramount USD, CA · Pasadena City College, CA · Paterson PSD, NJ · Penn Yan SD, NY · Pennsylvania Association of School Personnel Administrators · Petaluma SD, CA · Planada ESD, CA · Plumas USD, CA · Porterville PSD, CA · Prairie Lakes ESC, SD · Prince William County PSD, VA · Pullman SD, WA · Redlands USD, CA · Redondo Beach City ESD, CA · Region VI ESC, TX · Region XVIII ESC, TX · Rhinebeck Cientral SD, NY · Rochester CSD, ID · Rogers PSD, AR · San Benito County Office of Ed, CA · San Bernardino County Office of Ed, CA · San Diego County Office of Ed, CA · San Jose USD, CA · San Juan Administrator Training Academy, NM · San Lorenzo Valley SD, CA · San Marcos USD, CA · Santa Barbara County Office of Ed, CA · Santa Barbara HSD, CA · Santa Clara County Office of Ed, CA · Santa Cruz County Office of Ed, CA · Saugus UESD, CA · School Administrators of Montana · British Columbia, Canada, Districts: 9, 21, 22, 27, 28, 33, 34, 37, 38, 39, 44, 45, 54, 56, 59, 70, 74 · Scotts Valley SD, CA · SET SEG, MI · Shaker Heights City SD, OH · Shasta UHSD, CA · Sierra County Office of Ed, CA · Simi Valley USD, CA · Sioux Falls SD, SD · Solano County Department of Health and Human Services · Sno-Isle Technical Center, WA · Socorro ISD, TX · Sonoma County Office of Ed, CA · Sonoma Valley USD, Ca · Soquel SD, CA · South Bay UHSD, CA · Southern California Schools Risk Management Pool, CA · St. Tammany PSD, LA · Sweetwater County SD 2, WY · State of Utah, Department of Administrative Services, Division of Risk Management · Taft UHSD, CA · Tahoe/Truckee JUSD, CA · Texas Association of School Personnel Administrators · Texas Municipal League · Topeka PSD, KS · Torrance USD, CA · Tulare County Office of Ed, CA · Tuscaloosa County Schools, AL · Uinta County SD 1, WY · Union ESD, CA · University of Detroit, MI · Utica National Insurance Company: NY, IN, IL, GA, TN, VA, MA, CT, PA · Ventura Community College District, CA · Ventura County Office of Ed, CA · Ventura USD, CA · Vermont Institute of Science, Math and Technology · Victor Valley UHSD, CA · Virginia Military Institute (VMI) · Visalia USD, CA · Vista USD, CA · Walnut Valley SD, CA · Walton County SD, GA · Washington Community HSD, IL · Washington Schools Risk Management Pool, WA · Washoe County Administrators Association, NV · Washoe County SD, NV · West San Gabriel Valley Joint Powers Authority, CA · Wenatchee SD, WA · Wheeling Jesuit University, WV · Wichita PSD, KS · Woodland Joint USD, CA · Yelm SD, WA · Ysleta ISD, TX

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