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Matthew Blackmore is an award-winning administrator who leads professional learning communities through best practices to ensure that all students learn at high levels. He is director of student services for North Polk Community School District near Des Moines, Iowa.

Taryn Echols, EdD, serves as assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction at Hot Springs School District. She oversees streamlining curricular opportunities for teachers and students to build innovative practices across the district.

Pam Dean is principal of Park Avenue Elementary, a Model PLC at Work® school in Arkansas. Previously, she served as a physical education and health teacher, a coach, and an assistant principal.

Stephenie Smith is an assistant principal at Hazel Green Elementary School in Alabama. Previously, she served as instructional coach at Sparkman Middle School, a Model PLC at Work® school in Alabama that has earned Highly Effective Schools Accreditation. With a background as a middle school science teacher, she works with teachers, school administrators, and district leaders to implement effective professional learning communities (PLCs) and response to intervention (RTI) in order to close achievement gaps in key subgroups. Her focus is emphasizing teacher expertise and building collective efficacy through PLCs.

Wendy Daniels is a professional development specialist and instructional designer, empowering educators through coaching, professional learning communities, literacy frameworks, and assessment design to improve student outcomes from early childhood to K–12.

Emily McClain lived and led the work of professional learning communities as an elementary school teacher, school and district instructional coach, and district literacy specialist. She continues her passion by supporting districts and schools across the nation as a coach, presenter, and author.

Amy Cockcroft has more than 30 years of experience in education. She has served as a math teacher; principal; director of professional learning; executive director of curriculum, instruction, and assessment; and assistant superintendent.

Heather Carter is the current secondary instructional support specialist for the Bartow County School System in Georgia. She specializes in cultivating and sustaining a PLC culture by providing support to teacher collaborative teams, leadership teams, and district stakeholders.

Anthony Grazzini, EdD, is the director of grants and accountability with Cicero School District 99. Over more than 20 years in education, his experiences have allowed him to collaborate with diverse people to meet all students’ needs.

Eileen Garris has served as a teacher, assistant principal, and principal throughout her educational career. She has supervised and led multiple teams spanning grades preK–5.