“We are so thankful for the work Donna has done with our staff! Not only did she deliver excellent PD, she facilitated conversations that were just as valuable as the content. Her approach helps staff examine their experiences and processes and discuss and reflect in a way that they feel safe and valid. She has gone above and beyond, establishing relationships with our teachers so that all feel that they can reach out for ideas and discussions. I look forward to the other work we have planned with her!” -Brenda Padgett, Superintendent, Onalaska SD

“Donna McPeak has been an incredible resource for Komachin Middle School. From her work with our entire staff around de-escalation strategies to trauma-informed practices, Donna has had a positive impact on our classrooms, hallways, cafeteria, gym and outside areas. Her impact is in the approach our teacher and para staff take when engaging our students. Donna helps staff understand the brain research, the impact students with trauma feel because of their experiences, and why students with these experiences escalate so rapidly. Since Donna’s trainings our teachers lead with increased compassion, armed with strategies to intervene with students in crisis throughout our building. In addition, Donna has moved mountains with the teachers she has worked with one-on-one. One particular teacher was having classroom management struggles that were impacting student safety in the teacher’s classroom. Donna assisted this teacher to move from an unsafe classroom environment to a classroom that is high-functioning and focused on learning throughout all periods of our school day. This teacher could not have made the growth without the help of Donna McPeak. I am a firm believer in Donna’s common sense strategies and approach to mentoring teachers throughout the South Puget Sound region and highly recommend her to anyone who is interested.” -Shawn McDonald, Assistant Principal, Komachin Middle School, North Thurston SD

“As a Special Needs Supervisor within a large district, bringing Donna in to do trainings on ways to better manage self as well as students with disabilities, was the absolute best move I've ever made! Her sister, who suggested I reach out to her, was also a member of the recipient staff. So, to say Donna came highly recommended is an understatement.

She is as quietly dynamic as a stick of dynamite covered in soft cotton. Her message is delivered smoothly and unassuming, but the results of her workshops yield very high praises from the folks who are doing the most important, frontline work with our students.

She is a highly requested and greatly received presenter. Our paraprofessionals, and Intervention Specialists and this writer, are always left feeling invincible after a session with Donna.

Donna has graced my team with week-long sessions that have spanned the gamut of why students do what they do to how our staff cannot contribute to their behaviors. Just one listen to her quaint delivery, and you'll be sold on anything she speaks on.

Peak Solutions, featuring Mrs. Donna McPeak, is simply amazing!” -Lisa R. Munnerlyn, Special Education Supervisor MD/APE/Transition Services/Special Olympics, Columbus City SD Columbus, OH

“Donna’s work is incredible. I brought her in because of the severe increase in trauma that our students and staff continue to experience, and that our staff must be prepared to deal with on a daily basis. She came in and immediately had a positive impact. She is engaging and while I worried that we would have some staff that might not engage or participate, she had them eager to continue and participate throughout the year. We worked with Donna over 11, 2 to 21/2 hour sessions and no one wanted to miss a minute. She also spent countless hours working with individual teachers, observing classrooms and working with them on ideas and strategies. I have seen so much growth in my staff. It is amazing. Donna is also very reasonably priced and I feel confident that she would be worth the cost at twice the price. I will welcome her back anytime and I would highly recommend her to any school.” -Larry Markuson, Principal of Onalaska Elementary School

I am a teacher from a Washington Elementary School in the ESD 113 area. Not sure if you'll get this, but I just wanted to reach out and give you an update on the boys you helped us out within 2019-2020. Student 1 recently tested out of Special Education! He currently has a teacher who gives him the extra attention he needs. He's had only a handful of meltdowns these past couple of years. Everyone here is proud of how far he has come. Student 2 hasn't had a real meltdown since the beginning of the school year. (I can't even remember the last time he hit a small bump in the road). He's currently in my classroom for only 30 minutes a day for 2 breaks where he listens to Dinosaur stories. Student 2 is in a great spot and mom was all smiles at the most recent conference. He's doing great and we're all so happy for him! He's proud of himself and walks around with a confident stride. The parents of both boys are extremely grateful and happy with their progress. You helped us to help them and their families. I'm so glad I worked with and learned from you during my first year of teaching. You helped set my career on the right trajectory. Although working with these boys during my first year was stressful, it helped me become a better and more patient teacher. They truly have come so far! Thanks for everything!” -Anonymous Second Year Teacher

“Donna McPeak is the most exceptional behavior expert I have had the pleasure of working alongside in my career.  I first knew Donna by reputation via colleagues in the special education realm.  I had the privilege of working more closely with Donna in supporting specific students a couple of years later in a higher trauma setting.  Her degree of genuine warmth and skilled investment was beyond anything I’d experienced. It was striking, calming and effective.  She listened intently, observed with a supportive stance and asked targeted, insightful questions.  She navigated dedicated and stretched staff, families and students in a manner that helped teams meet the child’s needs and promote positive growth. She often had suggestions that did not fit our typical approach, yet were very practical (though rarely easy). Donna has a strong relationship focus that taps into sincere human connection.  She inspires those around her and maintains a high standard for positive progress. She understands that behavior work is primarily about relationship, communication, safety and reliability/trust. She also understands the importance of clear parameters and small steps forward at a time for long-term progress.
Most recently, I learned of an opportunity to work with Donna. I was thrilled.  Our staff (like many others) has had a heavy load with lagging student skill sets and behaviors post-pandemic.  Donna presented a series of professional development sessions to our certificated staff to build understanding of intensive behavior work based on her experience as an EBD (Emotional Behavior Disorder) teacher and special education consultant, along with the heightened influence of societal changes including social media. She shared stories and concepts in a way that opened receptivity and provided practical resources. Furthermore, Donna provided observation and coaching to specific teachers with meeting high-needs students’ needs with a forthright, caring approach. Her degree of insight, honesty, relational understanding and creative solution-seeking is simply astounding and builds the practical knowledge and supports we need in our schools.  Any school professional or parent who learns with and from Donna has an incredibly rare meaningful opportunity!” -Lynley Olson, Principal, Lacey Elementary

“It was my pleasure to host you as a presenter and the feedback I have received from my staff has been overwhelmingly positive. Thank you for the thoughtfulness you showed when engaging with our group, who have a long history of feeling unheard when it comes to the challenges they face while completing their job each day. It was fun, insightful, and even a little emotional, but those are all good things.

I look forward to working with you on a follow-up PD where we can dive deeper into the challenges our drivers face and identify strategies they can use to be successful. I appreciate you!”

-Garrett Kendall, Director of Transportation, North Thurston Public Schools in Lacey, Washington

“I just wanted to say THANK YOU so very much for coming to Tumwater U this year.  I have told so many of our staff about you.   

I also wanted to share that I had three people seek me out after Tumwater U to say that they appreciated me requesting you to be a speaker at our event.  They absolutely loved your presentation. 

Last week at my youngest daughter’s open house at Tumwater High School – a 4th teacher (mind you a month after you spoke) said to me – thank you so much for inviting Donna to Tumwater U.  And how much she appreciated all that you had to share.” 

“Donna, I hope you know just how important you are.  I know that you have made such a difference in children’s lives for years as a teacher.  I want you to know that you continue to touch so many children by sharing yourself in your classes and at events.  You empower all of us to be the best teachers we can therefore, continuing to touch children through all of us. I hope that you may someday soon come visit my classroom of 4th grade students… and also hope to see you at Littlerock Elementary as part of our professional development training.  Thank you for all you do Donna, and more importantly for who you are.”  

-Christy Schock, 4th grade Teacher