Jim Thomas is a master facilitator and coach who works with school districts teachers, and community members in the areas of strategic planning, growing Professional Learning Communities, and leadership development. He is former Coordinator for Visual and Performing Arts at the Orange County Department of Education and creator of the Arts Advantage Initiative. Jim has facilitated strategic arts plans in twenty-one school districts. Each tailored plan includes a set of district goals, action steps, outcomes, fiscal implications, and timeline for implementation. Jim has a K-8 teaching background including self-contained classroom, performing arts specialist, and program manager for a K-8 magnet arts school. He is also a former director of The California Arts Project. Jim was a co-author of the California Visual and Performing Arts Framework and Content Standards.