Meet Jon Eyler of Collaborative Learning Solutions in Tempe

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jon Eyler.

Out of persistent ambition and a relentless pursuit of marginalized youth, Dr. Jon Eyler founded Collaborative Learning Solutions (CLS) in 2010 with the primary goal of changing the life outcomes of youth with emotional and/or behavioral disorders. The vehicle was the implementation of a unique and innovative cognitive-based program anchored in his scholarship and research at the University of Southern California (USC).

The company launched a unique partnership with a single school district to implement the C5 program for students with a history of behavioral challenges. C5 focuses on developing authentic, positive relationships between staff and students, targeted cognitive skill-development and a shared problem-solving approach. The goal of the initial partnership was to establish the C5 program over a three-year collaboration and build local capacity to transfer ownership of the program back to the district.

Today, CLS continues to partner with agencies throughout the nation to implement the C5 model, evaluate existing programs specializing in meeting the needs of the most challenging students, and provide professional learning and instructional coaching to program providers. Additionally, CLS has grown to be a national leader in preventative and innovative school climate solutions to improve outcomes for ALL students. The consulting firm partners with agencies across the nation to provide training, coaching and consultative support to improve educational outcomes for youth.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
I don’t think we ever expected a smooth road. In fact, we embrace the messiness that comes with innovation and unchartered territories. It’s a trait that makes us unique and desirable in the education space. Several years ago our team did some deep work to define who we are as an organization. There were five characteristics that speak to our approach with education agencies.

 1. We are committed to disrupting antiquated thinking. For the most part, the way we DO education has remained unchanged for decades. We are committed to constantly disrupting the status quo and asking the question of how we can collectively do better for kids.

 2. We are committed to using a cognitive-based approach to our work. This involves the shifting of mindsets and beliefs that exist to perpetuate the results we continue to experience in education. A shift in mindset is the foundation of a shift in practices which then results in better outcomes for youth. Addressing the headspace of educators is right up there with hiking Mt. Everest… dangerous, grueling, gritty – but indescribably rewarding.

 3. We are committed to enacting a tight/loose approach to our work. The socio-cultural, political and fiscal conditions are vastly different from one system to the next, so flexibility and adaptability are critical to our effectiveness. However, we recognize the need to establish a common approach to system transformation. We have well defined organizational frameworks, but no two partners in experience that same set of solutions. We are unique in that we offer a truly customized partnership that is scalable across our entire consulting team.

 4. We are committed to maintaining the role of a “thought partner” in our coaching and consulting work. We focus intently on establishing authentic relationships which allow for critical conversations while upholding respect and dignity. We embody a servant leadership approach where we influence from behind-the-scenes and our partners shine among those they lead.

 5. We are committed to innovation and risk-taking. This is easy to put in writing, but most people underestimate the cultural conditions that are necessary to make this possible. Teams must create a deeply rooted culture of vulnerability and psychological safety to make it okay for people to fail, innovate and take risks with change ideas that may never produce desired outcomes. We believe failure is necessary for learning and improvement, and we work hard to establish a culture that promotes these values.

Please tell us about Collaborative Learning Solutions.
Collaborative Learning Solutions (CLS) is committed to challenging the status quo in education and interrupting predictable outcomes for marginalized youth. We intentionally disrupt antiquated thinking. We practice humility, recognizing we don’t always have the answers, but we are committed to a process of continuous learning, innovation and improvement. Most importantly, we focus relentlessly on building relationships with our clients. We are a national leader in providing innovative school climate solutions.

We believe that complex problems require integrated solutions that involve evidence-based methodologies and practices, and focus on building internal and local capacity. Toward that end, we have partnered with hundreds of schools, districts, and educational agencies across the nation to support the establishment of customized solutions around Multi-tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) that braid district initiatives together and represent the best approaches to education.

The CLS mission is simple – optimize the life outcomes and trajectory of marginalized youth by partnering with educational and social service agencies to (1) establish sustainable programs and structures, and (2) build capacity in the areas of behavior, mental health, equity, and social-emotional wellness.

I am most proud of our integrity, our commitment to doing what is best for youth, our valued partnerships that are anchored in authentic relationships, and most importantly, our results. We have been instrumental in helping systems mitigate disparities in student outcomes which has led to greater student achievement, increased graduation rates, decreased behavioral incidents, and increased school attendance.

Collaborative Learning Solutions is unique in that we are driven by the needs of the organization to influence student outcomes, not a bottom line. We are true partners who look for opportunities to increase and leverage local capacity. Though we have defined frameworks, we utilize a customized strategy that values the integration of initiatives and more effective leverage of internal resources. Most companies have services or products that ADD TO the existing structures of an educational system. We are interested in loosely unraveling the existing system and braiding it back together in a way that is more efficient and, most importantly, more effective for youth.

Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
When you are living life IN purpose things simply fall in to place the way they are intended. Passion is contagious, and I truly believe people purchase passion not product. From day one, I have communicated the following to my team – if our window to engage in this work is one year we are going to give it our all and kick ass in the one year we have; if our window is 50 years we are going to give it our all and kick-ass for 50 years.

In other words, the goal of our existence doesn’t follow the bigger, better, more profitable model; rather, it’s anchored in influence and impact within our window. We exist for the purpose of challenging the status quo in education and improving the life outcomes of marginalized youth. Our team will be about this mission whether they work for Collaborative Learning Solutions or another organization. It’s this collective commitment that binds us, and it’s our persistent passion that propels us.

Contact Info:

• Address: California Office:
  43426 Business Park Drive
  Temecula, CA 92590
  Tempe Office:
  430 W. Warner, Suite 116
  Tempe, AZ 85284
• Website: www.clsteam.net
• Phone: 888-267-6096
• Email: jeyler@clsteam.net
• Instagram: thecls_team
• Facebook: Collaborative Learning Solutions
• Twitter: @TheCLS_Team

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