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Justin Wagner is the superintendent of the Woodbine Community School District and the IGNITE Pathways regional center. An award-winning administrator with nearly 30 years of experience in education and the military, he has served as teacher, assistant principal, principal, director, and superintendent.

The COVID-19 pandemic brought a long-standing challenge in U.S. schools to the forefront: more than two-thirds of students cannot read at grade level. Alarmingly, if students are not proficient in reading by the end of third grade, they are more likely to drop out. This realization has sparked a growing interest in the science of reading, a decades-long body of interdisciplinary research that examines the multifaceted nature of reading development. By embedding the science of reading into instructional practices, teachers can ensure students recognize words and understand their meaning—thus supporting reading fluency.

Ann Alfonso has been the principal of Bethke Elementary, a Model Professional Learning Communities at Work® school in Timnath, Colorado, since 2008. She is passionate about sustaining a positive, inclusive culture and developing young educators.

With over 25 years of experience in elementary education, including five years in early learning, Janel Ross specializes in the implementation of professional learning communities and multitiered systems of supports at the elementary level.

Dr. Derek Voiles is the assistant principal at Lincoln Heights Middle School in Morristown, Tennessee. With more than 15 years of experience in education, he emphasizes collaboration as a tool for better learning, particularly through professional learning communities.

Lee Wright, EdD, has been an educator for over 25 years in various roles as a teacher/coach, principal, and district executive leader in Tomball, Texas. He is currently the assistant superintendent for strategic innovation in Tomball ISD.

Ryan Searle is the curriculum director for Carbon County School District #2 in Saratoga, Wyoming. He has served in K–12 administration roles for over 15 years at the elementary and secondary levels, most recently as principal of Rawlins Middle School.

Hope Meares is a digital learning coach in Anderson School District One, located in upstate South Carolina. She works with teachers on the implementation of digital learning strategies in their classrooms while also supporting professional learning communities in the district.

Jalal Masri is the professional learning community coach at Bernice Ayer Middle School in San Clemente, California. In this role, he leads sitewide professional learning, supports teacher team collaboration, and oversees the school’s intervention system.

Dr. Kevin Weck is a dedicated educational leader, currently serving as the principal of Westmont High School in Illinois. With a background as a former social studies teacher, he brings a deep understanding of classroom dynamics and instructional strategies.