Authors & Presenters

Debby Burton is a dedicated and passionate educator with 33 years of experience in mathematics education. She served on the district’s professional learning community (PLC) committee, playing a pivotal role in shaping educational practices at the district level.

Tammy Zunker has more than 30 years of experience in education. She specializes in working closely with instructional leaders, math coaches, and math teachers to leverage the professional learning communities process. Her focus is on strengthening collaborative planning to significantly impact teaching and learning outcomes.

Cory A. Bennett, PhD, is a passionate educator who supports teachers and teacher leaders to create learning-centered experiences for all students by focusing on improving instructional and assessment practices.

Sean Nank, PhD, is a presidential awardee, professor, presenter, and educator. He teaches at California State University San Marcos and the American College of Education.

Amanda Hathhorn, district math specialist and mentor for the Aspiring Instructional Coaching Academy at Pasadena ISD, has over 20 years of experience in education. Notably, she played a pivotal role in successfully implementing the Professional Learning Communities (PLC) at Work® process and subsequently earning a Model PLC at Work school distinction at V. W. Miller Intermediate.

Stephanie Burdette has more than 24 years of experience as an educator. She has served in various roles as a classroom teacher and instructional coach. Stephanie is currently the elementary math specialist for Greenville County Schools in South Carolina.

Jennifer Novak is an educational leader with a passion for supporting quality mathematics education as a supervisor and coach at the district and state levels. Jenny is currently the director of curriculum, instruction, and assessment in Howard County Public Schools in Maryland.

Jennifer Wise is an experienced mathematics educator currently serving at the district level as a K–12 mathematics coordinator in South Carolina. Over 15 years of experience have bred a commitment to ensuring all students receive high-quality mathematics instruction.

Jackie Palmquist is a national presenter and educational consultant with over 30 years of high school classroom mathematics teaching and leading experience. Her leadership emphasizes and supports collaborative planning and current research-informed best instructional practices.

Christine Davis has more than 25 years of educational experience as an elementary teacher, math specialist, instructional coach, curriculum writer, and Title 1 program coordinator. Her primary focus is to use collaborative practices to close gaps for all students.

Christie Shealy, EdD, is the director of student services in Anderson School District One in South Carolina. She has worked with the district’s math, English language, mental health, testing, and accountability programs. Dr. Shealy specializes in developing and sustaining professional learning communities at various levels.

Dr. Robin Cleckley, a dedicated educator with more than 20 years of experience in elementary education, is currently the mathematics and science instructional coach at Saluda River Academy for the Arts Elementary in West Columbia, South Carolina.

Scot Curran is an elementary instructional teacher on special assignment who specializes in cultivating a professional learning community culture by supporting collaborative teacher teams, school leadership teams, and district stakeholders.

Dusti Larsen, MEd, currently serves as the alternative learning environment teacher focusing on behavior plans and social-emotional skills at Gravette Upper Elementary in northwest Arkansas. She is also the coordinator of math interventions.

Ashley Mistretta is a K–8 mathematics specialist and is currently working as an instructional coach at Rose Hill Elementary School, part of Fairfax County Public Schools.

Georgina Rivera is an elementary school principal with over 20 years of experience in public education. She works with educators and leaders to build collaborative teams and ensure all students receive high-quality mathematics instruction.

Brian Buckhalter, affectionately known as Dr. Buck, is a presenter with nearly 20 years of experience. He specializes in helping teachers and students build conceptual understanding in tandem with procedural application of mathematics skills and concepts.

Maria Everett is an educational speaker with over 30 years of experience in mathematics education. Her leadership emphasizes and supports collaborative planning, implementation of rigorous mathematics instruction, and best instructional practices.

Chris is a dynamic presenter and educator with over three decades of education experience. His vision and guidance have led schools to significant improvements in teacher efficacy and student learning.

Rea Smith is an elementary mathematics and science curriculum specialist in northwestern Arkansas. She passionately supports the work of professional learning communities with a focus on common assessments to improve student and teacher learning.

Suyi Chuang is the professional learning supervisor for Loudoun County Public Schools in Ashburn, Virginia. Suyi also serves the school district as a certified project-based learning (PBL) facilitator and formerly served the district as a supervisor of K–12 mathematics.

Brittany Mozingo has more than a decade of experience as an educator in at-risk schools. She is currently the instructional coach at Fern Creek High School, a DuFour Award–winning school in Louisville, Kentucky.

Darshan M. Jain is the director of mathematics and computer science at Adlai E. Stevenson High School in Illinois. Previously, he served as an award-winning mathematics teacher as well as as a curriculum team leader.

Erin Lehmann, EdD, currently serves as an assistant professor for the University of South Dakota. She is an author, leader, and facilitator, advocating for mathematics and high levels of learning for all.

Mignon Smith is an Assistant Principal at a middle school in the District of Columbia. Previously, she served as a math instructional specialist (grades K-8), curriculum planner, math department chair, grade level chair and math and physics teacher. She has taught in public, charter and private school environments across elementary, middle, and high school.

Jen Hollis Smith has over a decade of teaching experience in the Wisconsin Public School system. She is currently a math instructional coach and math interventionist in the Hortonville Area School District.

Dr. Nathan D. Lang-Raad, EdD, is a visionary educator, international speaker, and prolific author dedicated to transforming mathematics education and instructional practices. With a rich background spanning curriculum development, school leadership, and educational technology, Dr. Lang-Raad brings a unique perspective to his work.

Jason Cianfrance has served as a high school mathematics teacher for more than 20 years. He also has experience teaching a rigorous STEM program, as well as with special education co-teaching.

Jennifer Deinhart is a K–8 mathematics specialist working as a mathematics instructional coach at Rose Hill Elementary in Virginia. A passionate educator with more than 20 years of experience working with diverse populations within Title I schools, she works collaboratively with teams of teachers to provide quality mathematics instruction.

Timothy D. Kanold, PhD, an award-winning educator and author, is former superintendent of Adlai E. Stevenson High School District 125, a Model PLC at Work® district in Lincolnshire, Illinois.

Sharon Rendon is director of professional learning for the CPM Educational Program, a nonprofit organization, where she specializes in designing and delivering professional learning for secondary math teachers.

Sarah Schuhl specializes in professional learning communities, mathematics, assessment, school improvement, and RTI. She has been a secondary mathematics teacher, high school instructional coach, and K–12 mathematics specialist.

Mona Toncheff, an educational presenter and author, has over 30 years of experience in public education. Mona works with educators and leaders nationwide to build collaborative teams and ensure all students receive high-quality mathematics instruction.

Jessica Kanold-McIntyre is an educational consultant and author committed to supporting teacher implementation of rigorous mathematics curriculum and assessment practices, blended with research-informed instructional practices.

Gwendolyn Zimmermann, PhD, is director of assessment, research, and evaluation at Adlai E. Stevenson High School District 125, a model professional learning community district in Lincolnshire, Illinois.

Donna Simpson Leak, PhD, is superintendent of Community Consolidated Schools District 168 in Illinois. She has trained thousands of teachers and presented at more than 200 conferences worldwide.

Connie Schrock, PhD, is an expert in K–12 education and college-level mathematics and has decades of experience in collaborating closely with educators and districts to enhance student mathematics learning in middle school, high school, and college.

Bill Barnes is the superintendent for the Howard County Public School System in Maryland. Bill was a recipient of the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching and has served on the board of directors for the National Council of Supervisors of Mathematics. Bill is passionate about working to ensure that students graduate with their dream intact.