We are a co-created movement that..
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Is grounded in relationships
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Believes culture work is central
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Provides mentorship & peer support
Our Vision
To realize a flourishing educational system and practice.
Our Mission
To build a collaborative movement of school leaders who are supported to reimagine an education system rooted in purpose, belonging, growth, presence, and contribution.
Origins of Our Movement
The Movement for Flourishing Schools is rooted in the rich soil of its organizational predecessor, Calmer Choice. Founded in 2010 by Fiona Jensen and others, the nonprofit Calmer Choice worked to bring evidence-based mindfulness, resilience, and wellbeing to elementary school classrooms through its innovative 8-week curriculum. Its work emerged as a response to a crisis facing young people unable to cope with the anxiety and pressures of life. Aware that children spend most of their time in schools, Calmer Choice’s foundational strategies for emotional awareness and stress reduction were delivered directly to students in their classrooms.
For 15 years, Calmer Choice worked in partnership with local schools to plant and grow the seeds of lifelong wellbeing. In the Spring of 2025, the organization paused its operations after a series of funding cuts. Committed to following its own practice, the Board took a moment to pause, breathe, and notice what was happening in the present moment with kindness and curiosity towards its own staff, supporters, and school partners.
In early 2026, the organization regenerated itself into a new form designed to respond to the current needs of the educational landscape. The Movement for Flourishing Schools (MFS) has emerged from the thoughtful review of the many successes, challenges and learnings of Calmer Choice. Today, MFS acknowledges and honors the work of its predecessor, and is committed to carrying forward the vision of realizing a world where children- and those who support them - can flourish.
Staff
Sarah Manion
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
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Sarah agrees with author and Potawatomi botanist Robin Wall Kimmerer who describes all flourishing as mutual. To achieve flourishing, she believes we first need to recognize our deep interconnection, and then respond knowing that our actions have ripple effects in the world.
Sarah is a fiber artist, spiritual ecologist, and nonprofit leader with over 15 years of experience working with diverse teams in more than seven countries. Most recently, she served as Calmer Choice’s Executive Director, a nonprofit that pioneered bringing mindfulness education into K-5 classrooms. In addition to her work with MFS, Sarah is the Founder and Director of The Interwoven Institute where she uses mindful craft as a pathway for reviving connection to ourselves, each other, and the earth. A student of Zen master Thich Nhat Hanh, Sarah uses her own mindfulness and craft practices as ways to ground herself in the wonder of the world in this moment.
Sarah is honored to participate in building a collaborative movement of educators who believe in the potential to build flourishing schools. She sees AFS as an important continuation of Calmer Choice’s vision and legacy.
In her spare time, Sarah weaves quahog shells and spins yarn from sheep she meets across New England. She holds an MA in Nature-Culture Sustainability Studies and lives on Cape Cod, MA.
Stephanie Goley
PROGRAM MANAGER
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Stephanie sees flourishing as a series of symbiotic relationships where everyone (human and non-human) reaches their potential and supports others on the way.
Stephanie holds a Master’s Degree in Education and has served in a variety of roles for over 25 years, including classroom teacher, administrator, consultant and mindfulness educator. She is a certified Mindfulness and Meditation Teacher through the IMTA. Stephanie has spent the past 10 years working for Calmer Choice supporting schools on Cape Cod through mindfulness-based education. She also supports at-risk youth as the program director for Amazing Grace of Cape Cod, a non-profit serving children affected by incarceration. Stephanie has a mindfulness practice that supports her professional expertise, as well as her personal role as Family CEO.
After working deeply in schools for many years, Stephanie sees the work of MFS as being critical to meeting the needs of an entire school community- including staff, students, families and supporting agencies and individuals. Children cannot learn and teachers cannot teach authentically when the system is dysregulated.
In her spare time, Stephanie enjoys hiking, biking, running and camping. She is always up for an adventure with friends or her husband and three teenaged children.
Board of Directors
Allie Liimatainen, Treasurer
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Commercial Credit Manager, Not For Profit, TD Bank
Allie believes flourishing begins with emotional wellbeing, grace, acceptance, and compassion—qualities that shape every area of life and naturally extend to others in inspiring ways. In education, she sees this impact cascading from teachers and administrators to children, families, caregivers, and the broader community.
A commercial banking professional with 15 years of experience across sectors and industries, Allie has specialized in public finance for the past eight years. She leads a team of underwriters drawn to the field by the opportunity to help not-for-profit organizations fund and advance their missions.
Allie believes deeply in the mission of the The Movement for Flourishing Schools, especially in an era shaped by technology and economic pressure. She feels children thrive and contribute most meaningfully when emotional wellbeing is intentionally nurtured—and that schools, where they spend much of their time, are uniquely positioned to foster that growth through adults who model it themselves.
She maintains a personal yoga and mindfulness practice and brings that spirit of encouragement into her workplace to help create a positive, supportive culture.
A Cape Cod native now living in the Boston area, Allie is often inspired to bake cookies late at night after a cozy evening watching The Great British Bake Off.
Kelli Grew CFP®, Secretary
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Managing Partner, Beacon Financial Planning, Inc.
Kelli Grew is a Managing Partner at Beacon Financial Planning, Inc., and a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® with more than 15 years of experience helping individuals and families gain confidence and clarity in their financial lives. In 2022, she was honored as one of Cape & Plymouth Business Magazine’s Top 40 Professionals Under 40. In addition to her career, she has previously served on several boards, including The Estate Planning Council of Cape Cod and Calmer Choice.
Above all, Kelli considers her most meaningful role to be that of a mother to her three children. She is deeply committed to ensuring they feel safe, supported, and loved, and believes that flourishing begins early in life, with the emotional foundation and healthy practices children develop from the very start. This commitment is what draws her to support The Movement for Flourishing Schools and its mission to revitalize our education system. Because children spend so much of their formative years in school, they deserve an approach rooted in mindfulness; one that nurtures not only academic growth, but also the emotional and social well-being of everyone in that ecosystem, including students, teachers, and caregivers. Building these habits early helps create an environment where flourishing can truly take hold and continue throughout life.
When she’s not working, you can usually find her running a local road race, gardening, enjoying a summer day at the beach, or spending time with her family.
Derek Thompson, Chair
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Principal of South Elementary School in Plymouth
Derek currently serves as Chairman of the Board for the Movement for Flourishing Schools and has dedicated his career to advancing a vision of education rooted in human flourishing. Over the past 14 years as an elementary principal, and throughout his 27 years in education, he has worked to bring that vision to life by creating school cultures centered on purpose, belonging, growth, and the full development of every learner.
Derek believes deeply in the mission of the Movement for Flourishing Schools. As he sees it, flourishing as an essential outcome of education and he believes schools have a moral imperative to nurture the whole child, not simply prepare students for tests. He envisions healthy, thriving schools as places that prepare young people not only with academic skills, but with the character, perspective, and human capacities needed to lead meaningful lives and contribute as thoughtful citizens of tomorrow. In Derek’s view, true educational success is measured not by our ability to prepare students for global competitiveness alone, but by our ability to prepare students for global leadership, cooperation and shared human progress.
When Derek is not working he enjoys spending time with his wife and 3 children, playing music with his friends and going for long hikes with his dogs.
Advisory Board
Dr. Gary E. Maestas
Teaching and Learning Alliance, former Superintendent of Plymouth Schools
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Dr. Gary E. Maestas is a seasoned educational leader and Educational Strategist with more
than three decades of experience serving public schools across Massachusetts. Throughout
his distinguished career, he has demonstrated a steadfast commitment to advancing student
achievement, strengthening instructional leadership, and fostering collaborative school
communities.
Dr. Maestas most recently served as Superintendent of Schools for Plymouth Public Schools,
where he led the district for over twelve years. During his tenure, he guided strategic
initiatives focused on continuous improvement, inclusive practices, and high-quality
teaching and learning. His leadership emphasized building strong relationships among
educators, families, and the broader community, while maintaining a clear focus on student-
centered outcomes.
Following his retirement from the superintendency, Dr. Maestas continued his service to
education as an Interim Superintendent for Hingham Public Schools, providing stability and
leadership during a critical transition period. He currently serves as a Senior Leadership
Strategist with the Teaching and Learning Alliance (TLA), where he partners with school
districts to support strategic planning, leadership development, and systemic improvement
efforts.
In his role, Dr. Maestas works closely with district and school leaders to design and
implement strategic plans, facilitate executive searches, and develop Multi-Tiered Systems
of Support (MTSS) frameworks aligned with Massachusetts Department of Elementary and
Secondary Education (DESE) standards. He is widely recognized for his ability to translate
complex educational concepts into practical, actionable systems that enhance both teaching
and learning.
Dr. Maestas is particularly skilled in coaching educational leaders, fostering collaborative
cultures, and guiding districts through change processes. His work emphasizes clarity of
vision, effective communication, and the use of data to inform decision-making. He is also
experienced in conducting program audits, facilitating stakeholder engagement processes,
and developing professional learning systems that build capacity at all levels of an
organization.
Beyond his professional work, Dr. Maestas is the founder of The Dream Ride Experience.
Through this initiative, he has demonstrated a deep commitment to creating opportunities
for students to set meaningful goals and develop pathways that turn their aspirations into
reality.
A respected voice in educational leadership, Dr. Maestas brings a thoughtful, relationship-
driven approach to his work, grounded in a deep belief in equity, access, and opportunity
for all students. His career reflects a lifelong dedication to supporting educators and
empowering school communities to achieve excellence.
David R. Dilley M.Ed., BCBA
Horizon Consulting Group
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David Dilley is the owner of Horizon Consulting Group. David is the president of clinical services and operations. He has been working in the field of special education for more than 30 years. David holds Undergraduate Degrees in Human Services and Severe Special Education and a Master’s Degree in General Education. He is also a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and is a Licensed Applied Behavior Analyst (LABA) in Massachusetts. David has worked in a variety of special education service models including private and public schools, group homes, early intervention specialty services, home based services and adult services. Currently, David runs the daily operations of Horizon Consulting Group, consults to school districts and provides assessment services for schools and families throughout eastern Massachusetts. David has been a visiting professor at local universities and has presented at local and national conferences. David resides on the south shore with his wife and two children.
Fiona Jensen OTR/L,
Founder of Calmer Choice (Retired)
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Fiona Jensen graduated from Tufts University in 1987 with a degree in occupational therapy. She worked for many years for the VNA of Cape Cod working with elders in there homes.
In 2010, she and others created Calmer Choice as a community response to the emotional devastation experienced by her community after the tragic deaths of several Barnstable High School students and graduates. Calmer Choice was created as a non-profit organization that provided mindfulness and social and emotional learning programs to students throughout Barnstable County in Massachusetts.
By the time it paused its programming in 2025, Calmer Choice had reached well over 30,000 students in 10 different school districts across Cape Cod and the Southshore. Beyond its work with children and adolescents, Calmer Choice also provided programming for parents, educators and community members. Calmer Choice collaborated with researchers at Tufts, Yale, MIT and Harvard Universities to establish precedents for the impact of mindfulness on overall health, well being, and academic performance in young people.
Fiona continues to be a tireless advocate for people of all ages, and was featured alongside Calmer Choice in the April 2013 issue of Mindful Magazine, Cape Cod Life, and various other publications.In 2014, Fiona Jensen and Calmer Choice received the Courage of Conscience award on behalf of the Peace Abbey, an international humanitarian award presented to the likes of Mother Theresa and Maya Angelou. She has been a guest lecturer at Tufts University, and has been invited to present at numerous regional conferences around the country, including a Keynote speaker at the Bridging Hearts and Minds Conference in San Diego in February 2017 as a thought leader in bringing Secular Mindfulness into Education.
Fiona retired as Executive Director of Calmer Choice in 2021. She now spends her time with her family, including her six grandchildren as well as continuing her work taking care of elders in her community.
Dr. Chris Willard Psy. D.
Faculty at Harvard Medical School, Author, Executive Coach
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Dr. Christopher Willard, (Psy. D.) is a clinical psychologist, author and consultant based in Massachusetts. He has spoken in forty countries, and has presented at two TEDx events. He is the author of twenty books, including Alphabreaths (2019), Growing Up Mindful (2015) and College Mental Health 101, (2025), and Feelings and Like Farts (2025). His thoughts on mental health have been featured in The New York Times, The Washington Post, mindful.org, cnn.com, and elsewhere. He teaches at Harvard Medical School.
Help us reimagine what's possible.
This work is possible because of people who believe schools can be different. If you share our belief that education is the cultivation of human beings — not the production of outcomes — consider supporting our mission.