Ombuds Outlook Blog
Ombuds Outlook Blog
We are excited to announce the launch of the 2024-25 Annual Ombuds Office Training Series, a new initiative designed to support our community in building stronger communication, conflict resolution skills, and trust across the district. This series will offer in-seat training sessions, an online learning option for added flexibility, and thought-provoking articles or blog posts. The training series aims to equip our constituents with proactive tools to handle issues before they escalate into conflicts, aligning perfectly with the Ombuds’ role of fostering a culture of trust, collaboration, and stewardship in support of Strategic Theme 6.
This year's training series will focus on collaboration, exploring ways to strengthen teamwork, foster effective partnerships, and enhance communication across all levels of the organization.
These trainings will be posted on the Ombuds website, and staff can register for sessions through Kalpa. We encourage everyone to participate and take advantage of this valuable resource.
Beyond Words: How Effective Communication Lays the Foundation for a Strong Culture Every relationship is shaped by culture, and that culture provides the foundation for either stability or instability. Likewise, organizations thrive, or crumble, based on the strength of their culture.
Meet Our Ombuds
Meet Maleika Joubert Brown, Ed.S, a dedicated and passionate educator with a remarkable 28-year career within the Grand Rapids Public Schools. Her journey in education has been a multifaceted one, marked by various roles including Teacher, Instructional Coach, Mathematics Curriculum Supervisor, Director of Professional Learning, and Director of Equity and Inclusion.In her present capacity as the Ombudsperson for GRPS, Maleika acts as a crucial guide and proactive alert system, dedicating herself to improving the experiences of those connected with the Grand Rapids Public Schools. In addition to being a member in good standing of the International Ombuds Association, she serves the Grand Rapids community in several other capacities.
Maleika’s educational journey includes earning a Bachelor of Science in Education from Louisiana State University, a Master of Arts in Education from Marygrove College, and an Educational Specialist degree from Grand Valley State University.
