Dr. Jeff Geihs has been employed by the CCSD, the fifth largest school district in the United States, for over 20 years. During that time, Geihs has been fortunate to rise through the traditional ranks from teacher to School Associate Superintendent over the Turnaround Zone, where he currently serves. Geihs has had the opportunity to serve students in two non-traditional positions, as an Administrative Assistant (tantamount to a Chief of Staff) serving approximately 60 schools with over 60,000 K-12 students and as the Vice President/Chief Operations Officer of the Public Education Foundation. Geihs recognizes that the majority of turnaround initiatives are led by an effective school leadership team who build trust, a team environment, and a building-wide commitment towards a common vision. Adults can place all students on a trajectory of success and failing schools are always the result of adult inaction. Therefore, site-based decisions are encouraged and supported to address a specific site’s unique balance of resources and circumstances when implementing the characteristics essential for school improvement. The Turnaround Zone and the supports given provide encouragement to school communities because with highly prescriptive school structures, functions and processes, in addition to laser-like focus, systemic school improvement occurs.