ABOUT

Visionary Thought Leader

Dr. Lori Schwartz Reichl is the visionary thought leader of Making Key Changes. Her career began in music education where she learned the importance of a key change a shift in the tonal center of a piece of music, often used to inject energy or produce significance. She eventually realized the impact of making key changes in all areas of her life.

Since transitioning out of one classroom as a public school educator, Lori has uniquely created a global classroom for her essential work. She guides organizations, teams, and individuals to create and maintain a shared vision by making key changes in their communities, companies, classrooms, and careers to unlock their greatest potential in collaboration with those they love, serve, and lead.

Visionary Thought Leader

Dr. Lori Schwartz Reichl is the visionary thought leader of Making Key Changes. Her career began in music education where she learned the importance of a key change a shift in the tonal center of a piece of music, often used to inject energy or produce significance. She eventually realized the impact of making key changes in all areas of her life.

Since transitioning out of one classroom as a public school educator, Lori has uniquely created a global classroom for her essential work. She guides organizations, teams, and individuals to create and maintain a shared vision by making key changes in their communities, companies, classrooms, and careers to unlock their greatest potential in collaboration with those they love, serve, and lead.

Proud Public School Teacher

Lori served as a proud public school teacher from 2001 through 2015, when her work transformed into collaborating with learners and leaders everywhere! Prior to 2016, she lovingly taught students and successfully led secondary music programs in Pennsylvania and Maryland for schools in rural and suburban areas, schools labeled Title I, and a school assigned to “corrective action.” In Pennsylvania, Lori received the Superintendent’s “Excellence in Teaching Award” from the Daniel Boone Area School District. In Maryland, she and her students received an Honorary Resolution from the Howard County Council, and she was a finalist for both the Howard County Parents for School Music “Educator of the Year Award” and the Howard County Public School System’s “Teacher of the Year Award.”

Changemaker

As a sought-after motivational speaker and consultant, Lori has given numerous keynote speeches, designed and presented hundreds of professional learning sessions, and guest conducted more than 50 honor bands. She is the host of her weekly podcast, Making Key Changes, and she creates inspirational content for a newsletter with thousands of subscribers (beyond educators!). Lori is the author of nearly 100 articles that have been reprinted with permission by 14 organizations worldwide, and she instructs two graduate courses that she designed based on her writings.

Changemaker

As a sought-after motivational speaker and consultant, Lori has given numerous keynote speeches, designed and presented hundreds of professional learning sessions, and guest conducted more than 50 honor bands. She is the host of her weekly podcast, Making Key Changes, and she creates inspirational content for a newsletter with thousands of subscribers (beyond educators!). Lori is the author of nearly 100 articles that have been reprinted with permission by more than 10 organizations, and she instructs two graduate courses that she designed based on her writings.

Champion of Mentorship & Motivation

As a champion of mentorship and motivation, Lori values these frameworks in her own life. She expands her circle to allow opportunities for creativity, collaboration, and connection. From educator to entrepreneur (with caregiver sprinkled in there!), Lori acknowledges that her unique path has also brought anxiety, self-doubt, and uncertainty, along with rejection. After being held back to repeat first grade in a different elementary school, transferring universities, switching majors, retaking the PRAXIS test due to a non-passing score (exam which measures the knowledge and skills needed to receive educator certification), and being passed over for numerous professional positions, Lori has experienced setbacks at many levels of learning and leading. These struggles have empowered Lori to make key changes to refine her habits, focus her passion, and serve her purpose. As a life-long learner, Lori recognizes that each opportunity provides a lesson for growth, and she demonstrates this belief through her ongoing work.

Coaches & Cheerleaders

As a child, Lori grew up in York County, Pennsylvania where her parents were both outstanding K-12 career-long educators. Lori and her brother were fortunate to have their father as their elementary and high school band director and musical mentor. Lori visited her mother’s English Language Arts classroom on “Take Your Child to Work Days” to observe her in teaching action, too! Her mother has served as her creative cheerleader and editor. Lori credits her large extended family, and especially her parents, for her love of creativity, learning, and teaching.

Coaches & Cheerleaders

As a child, Lori grew up in York County, Pennsylvania where her parents were both outstanding K-12 career-long educators. Lori and her brother were fortunate to have their father as their elementary and high school band director and musical mentor. Lori visited her mother’s English Language Arts classroom on “Take Your Child to Work Days” to observe her in teaching action, too! Her mother has served as her creative cheerleader and editor. Lori credits her large extended family, and especially her parents, for her love of creativity, learning, and teaching.

Family of Changemakers

Lori resides in Maryland with her husband, John (the other Dr. Reichl engineer and professor), who reminds her to analyze situations from all angles. Together, Lori and John support each other in their professional ambitions while raising their active children. As partners in parenting, they are attempting to raise their children with a sense of inclusion, creativity, and critical thinking skills while making space for an occasional date night together!

Lori and John have had many parenting failures yet they acknowledge that their children are teaching them more about life than any class they ever took or taught.

"Dr. Reichl wants to help people grow."

Preservice Educator, California

"I started off the day with an amazing clinic with Lori Schwartz Reichl! Book this amazing woman and learn about her programs! Her approach is absolutely infectious!"

High School Teacher, Pennsylvania

"Lori's new podcast is great! I love the short-time format and the ability to digest after. The pacing is excellent and the clarity is wonderful. Each episode is thought-provoking and provides reflective questions that force me to face harsh realizations about my reality. Lori keeps doing great work!"

Elementary School Principal, California

"Dr. Reichl changed the way I approach my job by giving me tools I use every day. She challenged me to be more thoughtful about every aspect of being a teacher, including designing assessments, recruiting students, ensuring equitable opportunities and representation, developing policies, building culture and identity, and interacting with parents."

High School Teacher, Pennsylvania

"Lori’s course was one of the most impactful for my teaching career. I reflected a lot on my teaching and was highly motivated to start the new year after hearing Lori’s perspective on different topics. Lori has a lot of energy and passion for education which will rub off on you."

Middle School Teacher, New Jersey

"Lori has spent a significant amount of time studying the mental health of teachers in our post-pandemic era. She is a quality sounding board and thought partner and she mentors the current generation of teachers. I highly recommend Lori for leading professional learning.”

Elementary Administrator, California

"Lori is the first person I contact when I need career guidance and insight. Her value is boundless and she has a true passion for helping people grow. Lori is open-minded and practical, but beyond that, she is honest and direct, and her direct approach and determination often provide exactly the motivation I need for that next step."

General Counsel and Director of Administration, Pennsylvania

"I recently saw an AWESOME session by Lori Schwartz Reichl! Her talks ALWAYS force me to reevaluate what I am doing in the classroom!!!"

Elementary School Teacher, South Carolina

"Lori's passion for supporting educators not only resonates in every note she teaches but also in her unwavering commitment to fostering a collaborative and inspiring environment among educators and administrators. She's a true maestra in the art of teamwork and mutual inspiration."

Leadership Consultant, California

"Lori’s 'Making Key Changes' presentations leave attendees inspired and motivated to make positive key changes in their own professional and personal lives."

Intermediate School Teacher, South Dakota

"Lori has a voice that resonates with educators far beyond the music classroom."

Motivational Speaker, Ohio

"Dr. Reichl's session was one of the most amazing and insightful presentations I've ever attended about the importance of representation in the classroom and so much more! Definitely check out Dr. Reichl's work!"

Elementary & Secondary Teacher, Pennsylvania

"Lori has a wealth of ideas that she has thought out and organized intelligently. She brings passion and energy to every session that keeps PD time lively and upbeat. Whether it be learning new ideas and perspectives or re-energizing and reinforcing established concepts, Lori is good for both! Highly recommend."

Fine Arts Administrator, California

"The 'Making Key Changes' workshop was one of the most enlightening PD sessions I’ve EVER been in!"

High School Teacher, New Jersey

"The mentorship, coaching, and friendship that Lori has shared with me over the years have been invaluable both personally and professionally. Her creativity and insightfulness inspire me to strive for self-improvement every day!"

Director of Interior Design, Maryland

"Lori’s program has challenged me to provide as many mirrors and windows for my students as possible. I feel more confident as an educator after working with Lori."

Elementary School Teacher, Pennsylvania

"I have enjoyed and found incredibly valuable the training and professional development that Lori Schwartz Reichl has provided through her course. I feel a great sense of renewal, refreshment, and excitement for the coming years."

Middle & High School Teacher, Indiana

"Lori's friendship and mentorship are both priceless and precious to me. Her advice and inspiration have been invaluable to me during professional and personal growth—from novice to seasoned—across multiple states, buildings, and positions. I can't thank Lori enough for the positive influence she's had on my life both inside and out of the workplace."

Middle School Teacher & Community College Adjunct, North Carolina

Scholarly Synopsis

Education

  • Doctorate in Music Education from Liberty University, Virginia
  • Certification for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion in the Workplace from the University of South Florida
  • Administrator I Certification from McDaniel College, Maryland
  • Leadership & Supervision Coursework (additional 30 credits beyond Masters) from Walden University, Minnesota
  • Master of Music Education from Lebanon Valley College, Pennsylvania
  • Bachelor of Science in Music Education from West Chester University, Pennsylvania
  • K-12 Education from Northeastern School District, Pennsylvania

Research Interests

Significant Achievements

  • Successfully assisted in leading two Title I schools to improve culture, involve families and the community, and increase student achievement across subgroups
  • Consistently forges productive and healthy relationships based on trust and respect with staff and leadership groups in companies and school systems nationwide
  • Plans, designs, and implements high-quality professional learning programs that execute effective succession planning and reflect current research-based practices for staff and leadership groups to support their professional growth, foster environments that value all contributors, and empower these professionals, families, and students to achieve success
  • Collaborates with company and school leaders to transform personal beliefs, behaviors, and practices to support and advance an organizational vision and mission for diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging
  • Supports professionals through coaching and mentoring to reach milestones for success
  • Demonstrates life-long learning