Authors & Presenters

Kessa Early, EdD, brings 23 years of distinguished experience in education, transforming schools into award-winning institutions. As a principal of alternative education in California, she has successfully overseen multiple schools, each achieving remarkable success under her leadership.

Aubrey Curran is an educational consultant and trainer with 25 years of experience. His recent focus is on professional learning and staff evaluation systems in schools, aiming to support the development of a healthy school culture.

Dr. Kari Roan began teaching in 2002, serving as a 6th-grade English teacher and dance team director. She believes in ensuring high levels of learning for all students and enjoys creating conditions that help educators succeed.

Ken Proulx is the principal of Newport Middle School in North Carolina. He has 30 years of experience in public education and has spent 20 years as a building principal in elementary, middle, and high school.

Nicole Peterson, PhD, is an educational coach with more than 20 years of experience in education. Previously serving as a teacher, district instructional coach, assistant principal, and principal, her expertise is in growing school cultures and cultivating the Professional Learning Communities at Work® process.

Deborah Ricker is principal at Cedar Trails Exploration Center: Early Childhood in Kansas. She previously led Glenwood Ridge Elementary and has 19 years of experience as a school psychologist, serving early childhood through high school in both public and private school settings.

Yetunde Reeves, EdD, is principal of Paul Laurence Dunbar High School in Baltimore. She is committed to social justice education, and her passion is working with students of color and supporting first-generation college students.

Michael Meechin is an award-winning educational leader, strategist, and thought partner. Currently, Michael supports schools and districts nationwide to move their work forward by breaking down systemic barriers to improvement.

Laura Kindron Coy is the principal of Clarence Lobo Elementary School in San Clemente, California. She specializes in transforming school culture through the implementation of the PLC process inclusive of Title I, special education, and advanced learners.

Ava Hogan-Chapman, EdD, has over 25 years of experience in education focused on educator growth and student achievement. She has served as an elementary school teacher, alternative education instructor, homeschool educator, associate professor, and behavior coach.

Tihesha Henderson is a transformational education leader with more than 20 years of experience who empowers educators through visionary leadership, coaching, and strategic implementation to create lasting, equitable change in education.

Cory Radisch is the statewide continuous improvement specialist for the New Jersey Department of Education in the Office of Comprehensive Support, working with schools identified for support under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA).Throughout his career, Cory has implemented and developed professional learning communities, working diligently to transform school culture.

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. Jeryl Kimbrough-Scott is a lifelong educator, who has worked to transform school culture and climate through a collaborative approach that involves staff and students. She supports schools in literacy, effective strategies for English learners, differentiation, and diversity, equity, and inclusion practices.

Geoffrey Fenelus is a dedicated and visionary leader in education with over a decade of experience across traditional school districts and charter networks.

Doug Gee is the superintendent of Clear Lake School District in Iowa. He has been an educator for over thirty five years, also serving as principal, teacher, and coach in various size districts.

Michael L. McWilliams is a fierce advocate for classroom teachers, school leaders and staff members who work daily to ensure all students learn at high levels. Michael has spent the last 28 years as an educator, with 20 of those years serving as an elementary school principal. Equipping and empowering others to be the best version of themselves is his life’s mission. He specializes in developing the foundation needed for effective implementation of the Professional Learning Communities at Work® process.

Joshua Ray, EdD, is an educational speaker and author who has led the Professional Learning Communities (PLC) at Work® process at the elementary, secondary, and district level. He is passionate about building healthy school cultures, the work of collaborative teams, systems of support, and educator well-being.

Bo Ryan is principal of the Ana Grace Academy of the Arts Elementary Magnet School in Bloomfield, Connecticut. He is passionate about building and sustaining professional learning communities (PLCs) and has led two different schools to Model PLC at Work® certification.

Shawn Hurt is principal of Inkster Preparatory Academy in Michigan. As a school turnaround specialist, he has a laser focus on student achievement and transforming school culture.

Malik Muhammad is a consultant, speaker, and instructional specialist with 20 years of experience in public, charter, private, and homeschool education. He has served as a classroom teacher, instructional coach, dean of instruction, and assistant principal.

Dr. Rosa Isiah has served students in her community for 27 years. Currently, she serves as director of elementary, equity, and access for Norwalk La Mirada USD in California. Dr. Isiah is passionate about equity and access, multilingual education, leadership, and closing opportunity gaps for historically underserved students. Dr. Isiah’s experiences as an immigrant, English learner, and a child in poverty add to her passion for her work.

Michael Roberts is an author and consultant with over two decades of experience in education. Michael has been a teacher and administrator at every level from elementary school to the district office and has worked with students from all demographics.

Reuben J. Gresham, PhD, is a cluster superintendent for school improvement and operations with Gwinnett County Public Schools. He was a national award-winning high school principal, assistant principal, teacher, and coach.

Tom Hierck has been an educator since 1983, and his career has spanned all grade levels and many roles in public education. He has presented to schools and districts across North America with a message of celebration for educators seeking to make a difference in the lives of students.

Scott A. Cunningham is principal of Orange Middle School (Olentangy Local School District) in Ohio. He has over 23 years of experience in education as a principal, assistant principal, and teacher.

Robin Noble is an educator, author, consultant, and presenter with more than 30 years of experience in education. She is currently the director of school improvement for Santa Fe Public Schools and has served as an elementary school principal, district instructional coach, middle school English teacher, and special education teacher.

Regina Stephens Owens, EdD is an internationally recognized presenter and practitioner who specializes in creating a culture of connectivity and collaboration while utilizing systems thinking.

Michelle Dillard is an assistant superintendent for Jefferson County Public Schools in Louisville, Kentucky, where she oversees two high schools, three middle schools, fifteen elementary schools, and three Success Pathways schools.

Matt Devan is director of school support and improvement for Montgomery County Public Schools in Maryland. He provides guidance and feedback to schools as they develop professional learning communities.

Luis F. Cruz, PhD, is a sought-after presenter, coach, thought leader, and accomplished author with over 30 years of experience in education.

Kimberly Rodriguez Cano, a consultant with over 30 years’ experience, is a former transition specialist, special education coordinator, professional development director, and school improvement specialist for the Florida Department of Education, supporting educators in that state and across the United States.

Karen Power is an educational presenter and a former teacher, principal, superintendent, and senior advisor for professional learning and leadership. Karen has implemented the PLC process both as a principal and as a superintendent, and for several years, she has supported collaborative work in schools to meet the needs of students.

Joseph Ianora, principal on special assignment at Campbell Union High School District, has been an educational leader for more than 35 years, guiding schools by fostering learning communities for students, staff and parents. He has been lucky enough to hold almost every position within a school site, from custodian up to principal and everything in between. He has worked with inner city schools and suburban districts, and he has K–16 experience with an emphasis on high school.

Joe Cuddemi has over 35 years of experience in education, serving as a teacher, counselor, and principal in a wide variety of educational settings, including adjunct professor at Colorado State University.

Geri Parscale spent 28 years in education and has worked as a classroom teacher, principal, professional development director, and finally deputy superintendent of Fort Leavenworth Schools, USD 207. Her mode of operation was always the same: learning for all kids.

Charlie Coleman has been a principal at the high school, middle, and elementary school levels in ethnically and socioeconomically diverse communities, where he effectively decreased behavior problems and increased academic success. Creating positive learning environments for ALL continues to be a priority for Charlie, and he has experience improving school culture in many schools, K–12.

As a national and international professional speaker, trainer, and author, Carlos Johnson, aka “Coach Carlos,” utilizes his experience and research to change school culture and increase parental engagement, student enrollment, and staff and student retention.

Anthony Muhammad, PhD, is an author and international thought leader. He served as a practitioner for nearly twenty years where he served as a teacher, assistant principal, and principal. He is recognized as one of the fields leading experts in the areas of school culture and Professional Learning Communities at Work (PLC).

Dr. Alexander McNeece is an award-winning former principal, teacher, author, and consultant. He helps educators boost student engagement, develop healthy school cultures, and integrate AI tools for enhanced learning.