namaa’
Cultivating Capacity. Growing Impact.
We believe students represent our greatest hope for change, and that schools are our most powerful spaces for cultivating it. Much of today’s division and pain stems from fear—fear born of ignorance, misunderstanding, and inequitable access to opportunity. But what if we could change that, one classroom at a time?At namaa’, we partner with schools to design and deliver high-impact systems of support for educators at every stage of their career. From new teacher cohort programs and one-on-one coaching to curriculum design and professional learning strategy, namaa’ builds professional cultures where feedback, reflection, and continuous growth are embedded in the fabric of school life. Because when teachers grow, students flourish and schools transform. We describe namaa’ as a studio rather than a consultancy because our work is rooted in creation, creativity, and design. A studio is a place where ideas are cultivated, tested, and brought to life through collaboration. This reflects our belief that professional learning should not be transactional but generative—an active, creative process that empowers educators to design new possibilities for their students and their schools.
namaa’ cultivates the capacity of your educators to grow the impact of your schools.
Teachers face myriad challenges that need to be addressed for them to succeed.
Lack of feedback
Teachers report feeling isolated, unsupported, and professionally stagnant.
Unsustainable workload
Planning, grading, classroom management, and emotional labor lead to burnout.
Misalignment of curriculum
Outdated, disconnected content undermines both relevance and engagement.
Insufficient onboarding + mentorship
New teachers are often thrown in without guidance or clear support.
Imbalance between autonomy + accountability
A tension between professional autonomy and external accountability leaves teachers feeling too constrained in their practice while still held responsible for outcomes beyond their control.
namaa’ can help you create the conditions for your educators and schools to thrive.
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A cohort for new teachers
A yearlong professional learning community for early-career educators.
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One-to-one instructional coaching
Deepening teaching practice through reflective partnership.
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Curriculum design intensives
Strategic curriculum development for coherence, relevance, and rigor.
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Developing Internal Coaches
Developing internal coaches to sustain teacher growth.
Let’s plant the first seed together.
contact@namaa.studio
Nancy Nassr
Nancy Nassr is a boundary-breaking educational leader and the founder of namaa' studio, a consultancy rooted in the belief that schools are our most powerful spaces for incubating lasting and positive change. With 25 years of experience as an educator, Head of School, academic leader, instructional coach, and speaker, Nancy has consistently redefined what is possible in education. She made history as the first person of color to serve as Head of School at The Ancona School, and as both the first woman and person of color to serve as Assistant Head of School at Lake Forest Academy.
Teaching and learning are Nancy’s bread and butter. She earned a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Columbia University and a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature and Secondary Education from the University of Illinois at Chicago. She believes in partnership and dialogic frameworks as the basis for seeding growth and building capacity in teachers—and by extension, in students. Nancy is deeply committed to working alongside educators to refine, reimagine, and create dynamic learning spaces that ultimately nurture a joy of learning for both teachers and their students. Drawing on her expertise in instructional coaching, curriculum design, and organizational change, she partners with schools to cultivate cultures where feedback, reflection, and innovation thrive.
My Approach
Collaboration
At the heart of every strong and productive relationship is the spirit of collaboration. I believe teachers are inherently reflective practitioners who understand what works and what doesn't in their classrooms. As such, we tailor our services to each school, and keep teachers as true partners in the work—always centering the student experience. My role isn't to prescribe what schools need, but to co-design and customize support that strengthens the work you most want to advance.
Joyfulness
Learning should be joyful. The most powerful learning experiences are those rooted in narratives, lived experience, and connections to what truly drives us. When passion and learning intersect, we enter an elevated state—one defined by joy: the joy of learning, the joy of creating, the joy of being. I center my work on this belief. When we partner together, you will be empowered to help shape the journey in ways that make learning meaningful and alive.
Intentionality
I approach my work with deep listening and thoughtful reflection. My first goal is to understand your priorities and how I can best position myself to support them—leveraging the many strengths you and your community already bring. Whether working with schools at large or one-on-one with teachers, I strive to ensure alignment, clarity, and purpose. My intention is always the same: to help educators grow in ways that allow students to thrive.