Authors & Presenters

Kathy Perez, EdD, is a professor emerita at Saint Mary’s College of California. She has extensive teaching experience as a general and special educator, literacy/ESL coach, administrator, and curriculum/staff-development coordinator.

Brian M. Pete comes from a family of educators—college professors, school superintendents, teachers, and teachers of teachers. He has a rich background in professional development and has worked with adult learners.

Barbara Phillips is an educational presenter and researcher from upstate New York with over 20 years of experience in public education. She specializes in effective instruction and leveraging teacher strengths to maximize student achievement and learning.

Jennifer McCarty Plucker, EdD, is the director of learning and development and a literacy consultant at Mackin Educational Resources in Burnsville, Minnesota. Her current work with educators is grounded in an inquiry approach that puts students in the driver’s seat for learning.

Woodsen E. Plummer is a K–12 English language arts coordinator at DeKalb County School District in Georgia. Woodsen specializes in supporting implementation of literacy best practices, as well as leadership development to support the cultivation of school culture.

Dr. Melisha Y. Plummer is assistant principal at an urban high school in the Atlanta Public School District. With more than 20 years of experience, Dr. Plummer brings a wealth of knowledge about practical ways schools can infuse and ensure that literacy is embedded in the fabric of urban education.

Kristine E. Pytash, PhD, is assistant professor of teaching, learning, and curriculum studies at Kent State University and codirector of the secondary Integrated Language Arts Teacher Preparation Program.

Lorraine Radice, PhD, is an educator, author, and presenter. She is currently an assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction in New York and teaches courses in childhood education and literacy at Hofstra University.

Timothy V. Rasinski, PhD, is a professor of literacy education at Kent State University. He focuses on reading fluency and word study, reading in the elementary and middle grades, and readers who struggle.

Amy Rasmussen is a literacy evangelist, presenter, and blogger. She specializes in supporting teachers as they embrace literacy practices that help secondary students grow in their identities as communicators.