Welcome to BlueByrd

With over twenty years of diverse experiences within and beyond classroom walls, BlueByrd offers seasoned assistance with: curriculum development & implementation, written & oral communications, and incisive commentary on education & related issues.

Curriculum

Strengthen growing efforts to establish *knowledge-rich*, well-articulated liberal arts **curricula**.

Communications

Maximize educators’ and other clients’ capacity to **communicate** effectively.

Commentary

Disseminate **commentary** about the power of language in education and in other contexts.

What’s New

Featured

Nov 25, 2020

Part Two: Can we overcome challenges facing the expansion of classical schools?

Nov 25, 2020

Nov 20, 2020

Part One: Can we overcome challenges facing the expansion of classical schools?

Nov 20, 2020

Jan 6, 2020

First Things Podcast - Classical Education

Jan 6, 2020

Testimonials

"Sheila Byrd Carmichael is one of the best education minds in the business--informed, discerning, skilled, experienced. I have worked with her on standards projects, curriculum evaluations, and classical education plans, and she proves herself one of the smartest guys in the room every time, adding to her savvy a rare geniality. She's a pleasure to work with, and a pro."

— MARK BAUERLEIN | SENIOR EDITOR, FIRST THINGS AND PROFESSOR OF ENGLISH, EMORY UNIVERSITY

“Sheila is wonderful to work with--and to know as a colleague and friend. Without ever forfeiting her cheerful, friendly, articulate and alert persona, she thinks deeply, organizes efficiently, analyzes carefully, imagines creatively and writes beautifully. What a spectacular combination! We've worked together over the years on so many things, co-authoring, bouncing ideas, trading constructive criticisms, around and across the K-12 universe. Sheila never lets go of solid principles and well-formulated views, but never do those inhibit her capacity to take in (and set forth) new ideas, think afresh about old problems, and imagine alternatives to institutions and practices that most people simply take for granted. Wow!”

— CHESTER E. FINN, JR. | DISTINGUISHED SENIOR FELLOW & PRESIDENT EMERITUS, THOMAS B. FORDHAM INSTITUTE, AND SENIOR FELLOW, HOOVER INSTITUTION, STANFORD UNIVERSITY

“I have worked with Sheila Byrd Carmichael on a host of standards and curriculum projects. In every case, I found her to be the very best kind of partner — one whose probing questions and comments push everyone in the room to think more deeply. Clarity and integrity are the hallmarks of her work.”

— CAROL JAGO | PAST PRESIDENT, NATIONAL COUNCIL OF TEACHERS OF ENGLISH AND ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF THE CALIFORNIA READING AND LITERATURE PROJECT, UCLA

“Sheila is an excellent communicator. We were grateful for her work in describing and conveying our school’s curricular philosophy and pedagogy to parents and to the wider community in a unique way that truly helps us to stand out as a leader in our industry.”

— CHRISTI CRITTENDEN | FOUNDER AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, ANNA'S HOUSE

“Sheila Byrd Carmichael is an excellent writer, editor, and communicator. Her knowledge of the English language makes working with her a pleasure and our communication with clients much easier. She knows how to choose just the right words.”

— SUZANNE RICH FOLSOM | FORTUNE 100 SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT AND GENERAL COUNSEL

“Great minds has engaged Sheila on curriculum projects in English language arts for more than a decade. Sheila is masterful at writing engaging, knowledge-rich lessons. Her love of the content, and deep knowledge of proven pedagogy, makes her an uncommon find. An excellent editor and researcher, Sheila relishes working with teachers to help them be their best.”

- LYNNE MUNSON | CEO OF GREAT MINDS