We are Cultivating Knowledge & Wonder.
ABOUT US
Founder / CEO
About Cicely Kelly Ward
Driven by a lifelong passion for fostering growth and inspiring a love of learning, Cicely brings a wealth of experience from the heart of the education system. Her journey began in the classroom, where the daily joys and challenges of teaching ignited a deep commitment to student success. This dedication to excellence led to roles as an instructional coach and assistant principal, where she had the privilege of supporting fellow educators in refining their craft and maximizing their impact. Witnessing the transformative power of data-informed decisions fueled Cicely's growth into a data-driven leader. By strategically analyzing information and fostering a culture of continuous improvement, she's seen firsthand how intentional planning and targeted interventions can elevate outcomes for all learners.
Cicely has received several significant honors and awards, including being selected as Teacher of the Year among her colleagues and serving as one of four candidates representing her district as an Annenberg Teacher Scholar with Baylor College of Medicine. She has also served as a faculty presenter for the Smithsonian Science Education Center's Strategic Planning Institute. Cicely is a two-time contributing author and international speaker, further showcasing her commitment to sharing insights and inspiring others. This dedication to evidence-based practice, combined with a desire to share her expertise, ultimately led to the establishment of Cultivating Knowledge & Wonder, LLC.
Cicely received her Bachelor of Science from Alcorn State University and her Master of Education from Sam Houston State University. She is currently a doctoral student at Abilene Christian University, where her research focus is Black teacher retention.
Outside of her professional endeavors, Cicely enjoys all of her roles; however, her favorites are being a wife and an aunt.
Transforming Education for Impact
We are a consulting company dedicated to advancing educational institutions and organizations by fostering innovation and excellence in teaching and leadership. With a team of experts, we strive to empower educators and leaders to achieve their full potential. Our team is committed to providing comprehensive support and guidance throughout your journey with us. These commitments are grounded in the core values that shape our approach:
Integrity
We always do the right thing!
Innovation
We are curious and not afraid to take risks!
Customer Success
Customer service is everything!
Shared Ownership
The more brain power, the better!
Results-driven
We are goal diggers!
Continuous Improvement
We seek knowledge!
High Standards
We offer the best professional learning & advice!
Speaking Engagements
Inspiring talks. Meaningful connections. Cicely brings deep expertise in education and actionable insights, gained through presentations at top conferences, universities, and industry events. Let's connect and make your event unforgettable!
-
Texas Assessment Conference
New Teacher Academy
-
Sam Houston State University - facilitated DDI training for an Early Childhood Educator Course
-
Diversity in Organizations, Communities & Nations International Conference
Harris County Department of Education: A Day of Educational Innovation Conference
-
Tech It Up Talk Podcast - Data-Integrated Teaching & Learning
Check out this podcast on DDI with Cicely Ward!
Learn how educators and instructional leaders can use data to transform teaching and boost student success. With deep expertise, Cicely walks us through the power of the Data-Integrated Teaching and Learning Model—and how it can make a real impact in the classroom.
Get Started
Ready to transform your practices and achieve impactful results? Let's connect.