About Tonya
I help educators and leaders design conditions where people can think, contribute, and grow—instead of just comply.
For over two decades, I've partnered with schools, organizations, and leadership teams across six continents to move beyond surface-level engagement toward genuine ownership and shared thinking.
My work centers on a simple but powerful idea: agency isn't something we give to people. It's something we design for—together.
What I Do
I work with:
Schools and districts navigating the gap between compliance-driven systems and learning-rich cultures
Leadership teams who want ownership and initiative but find themselves carrying all the thinking
Nonprofit and corporate teams designing professional learning, coaching systems, or collaborative structures that actually shift practice
My approach is grounded in research, shaped by years of practice across diverse contexts, and designed to be immediately actionable—not just theoretically interesting.
My Book
In April 2026, I'm releasing The Little Book of Agency: Tiny Shifts That Transform How We Learn, Lead, and Grow—a practical guide for educators, coaches, and leaders who believe that learning and work are not things we deliver, but conditions we create together. The book is available for bulk orders and pairs well with keynotes and workshops for deeper organizational impact. Learn more here.
My Background
I've worked with international schools, school districts, nonprofits, corporate learning and development teams, and leadership programs across six continents.
My thinking has been shaped by years as a teacher and instructional coach, graduate work in international leadership and change, and facilitating large-scale change initiatives with lasting impact. I'm currently based in beautiful Albania, but most of my work happens virtually or onsite with organizations around the world.
Let’s Connect
If you're interested in working together—whether that's a workshop, coaching engagement, keynote, or ongoing partnership—I'd love to hear from you. I'm currently booking for 2026-2027.
Email me at tonya@tonyagilchrist.com or set up a call here.
What Educators and Leaders Are Saying
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“Thank you for everything; such a wonderful and uplifting course. I truly enjoyed every minute. It was so well put together, informative, and helpful in all respects, both the presentation to the group and the small group discussions. I loved how responsive Tonya was to all our questions!”
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— Patience Montgomery, Berlin Brandenburg International School, Germany
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Tonya was tailoring each session to meet diverse needs of the group. She was amplifying engagement and agency moves in a classroom…Her pace was perfect and very clear and more importantly practical…In fact, I have already written to both my primary principals about getting her over to our school.
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— Prashani Gamage, Overseas School of Colombo, Sri Lanka
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I mentioned that this course was "just in time, not just in case" - the wise words of Tonya - because my school is just starting out with the IB PYP and well-versed in the Workshop Model. We are currently planning our POI and preparing for unit planning, so every step we took in the course was SO well-suited to the needs of my school.
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— Rachel Sweeney (Rhodebeck), Moos Elementary School, Chicago, IL, USA
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The feeling you get when Tonya hits on how to achieve all of your personal teacher goals this year. Thank you for your inspiration, knowledge, kindness and support, Tonya!! I’m ready to encourage self monitoring for self adjustment, create a toolkit, and confer!
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— Mary Rossi, Dunecrest American School in Dubai
Chat with me
Are you looking for professional learning experiences tailored specifically for your school community? Reach out for a free, thirty-minute chat. There’s no pressure or obligation—just dreaming possibilities together.