Learn how a small business, Upturn Consulting, capitalized on an unexpected opportunity at a Chamber event to gain recognition and support for their company.

Sometimes, the most compelling stories emerge when plans take an unexpected turn. At a recent Heartland Black Chamber of Commerce event, I was there to cover a Verizon Wireless grant for small businesses. When the grant presentation shifted to an online format, the room buzzed with a different energy – the entrepreneurial spirit of collaboration.
Seizing the moment, I offered an alternative opportunity: a chance for five businesses to be featured in this article. While many expressed interest, only one company responded with the swiftness and enthusiasm that mirrored the Chamber’s mission of uplifting its members: Upturn Consulting.
Their responsiveness speaks volumes about Upturn’s commitment to communication, connection, and seizing opportunities – a lesson for all small businesses. But what is it about Upturn Consulting that makes them stand out? Let’s dive into their unique, data-driven approach to education and discover how they’re transforming St. Louis schools to empower students, teachers, and communities.
The Upturn Game Plan: Data as a Compass for Educational Success
Upturn Consulting, founded and led by Kendra Wilkins, MBA, is a St. Louis-based consultancy specializing in data analysis and strategic guidance for K-12 education. Their core mission is to leverage data-driven insights to address the persistent achievement gap and empower teachers to maximize their impact.
Here’s how Upturn’s “winning game plan” unfolds:
Data Deep Dive: Upturn meticulously analyzes school data, like a coach reviewing game film. This analysis reveals strengths, weaknesses, and hidden growth opportunities. They examine everything from test scores and attendance records to demographic data and teacher performance, uncovering patterns and trends that might go unnoticed.
Strategic Playbook: Armed with data-driven insights, Upturn collaborates with schools to create tailored strategies and action plans. This is their version of a winning playbook, outlining clear goals, targeted interventions, and measurable benchmarks. They help schools identify the most impactful areas to focus on, improving reading proficiency in early grades, increasing graduation rates, or closing the achievement gap between different student groups.
Empowering Educators: Upturn doesn’t just deliver a plan, it equips educators with the tools and knowledge to implement it. Through professional development and training, teachers and administrators learn to harness data to inform their decisions and refine their practices. They gain a deeper understanding of their students’ needs, strengths, and challenges, enabling them to personalize instruction and provide the support each student needs to thrive.
Ongoing Support: Upturn remains a steadfast partner throughout the journey, offering ongoing support, guidance, and course correction as needed. They are the unwavering coach on the sidelines, ensuring the game plan stays on track. They regularly review data with schools, help them interpret the results, and make adjustments, as needed to ensure continued progress.
The Upturn Effect: Inspiring Growth and Achievement
Upturn’s impact resonates throughout the school community, igniting a spark of possibility in every student, teacher, and administrator.
For students, Upturn’s work translates to personalized learning experiences, where their unique needs and strengths are recognized and nurtured. This fosters a love of learning and paves the way for academic success.
For teachers, Upturn provides the tools and insights to become more effective educators, empowering them to reach every student and make a lasting difference in their lives.
For parents, Upturn’s data-driven approach offers transparency and accountability, ensuring that their children receive the highest quality education possible.
For administrators, Upturn is a trusted partner, providing the strategic guidance and support needed to navigate the complexities of modern education and create a thriving school environment.
By harnessing the power of data, Upturn Consulting is helping schools across St. Louis unlock their full potential. Their unwavering commitment to communication, collaboration, and data-driven decision-making is a model for all businesses, demonstrating that even amidst unexpected turns, opportunities for growth and impact abound. As they continue to empower educators and transform schools, Upturn is proving that data isn’t just numbers on a page; it’s the key to unlocking a brighter future for our children.
Interested in learning more about how Upturn Consulting is transforming education? Explore their work and discover how data-driven insights are shaping the future of schools. Your journey towards a brighter educational landscape begins with a single click.

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