Authors & Presenters

Cristi Parsons has 28 years of education experience as a teacher, counselor, principal, curriculum director, and assistant superintendent. She was named National Distinguished Principal in 2013 and has led two campuses in PLC practices to become Model PLC schools.

Robert Payne is a recently retired educator, having served as principal and superintendent for elementary, middle, and high schools. He has presented to schools and administrator groups on transforming schools into professional learning communities.

Steve Pearce, EdD, is the chief human resources officer for Batavia Public Schools in Illinois. He is former principal of Jane Addams Junior High School and Margaret Mead Junior High School.

Richard L. Pease has more than 30 years of experience as an education leader, serving as a teacher, coach, assistant principal, university professor, middle and high school principal, principal mentor, and district leader.

Jane Pedersen, EdD, is the director of student services in Fremont School District 79 in Illinois. She has previously served as assistant director of educational services, an elementary school assistant principal, and a school psychologist for Kildeer Countryside School District 96 in Illinois.

Michael Pedrotty is the principal of Elm Grove Middle School in Bossier City, Louisiana, and is a firm believer in the power and efficacy of the professional learning community process, having served as the instructional coach at Benton Middle School when it became the very first Model Professional Learning Community at Work® school in the state of Louisiana.

Garrick Peterson helps teachers and administrators become high-functioning PLCs with a specific focus on making the connection between assessment and intervention.

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.

David Pillar, EdD, a former Model PLC at Work® middle school principal, is assistant director at Hoosier Hills Career Center with the Monroe County Community School Corporation in Bloomington, Indiana.

Hannah Polk, EdD, serves as a principal in a large metropolitan school district in Georgia. Her pursuit of excellence is evident as she advocates for high levels of learning for all students. In addition, she is passionate about guiding educators on paths to improve school culture, navigate difficult conversations, and enhance the overall effectiveness of their collaborative teams.