Authors & Presenters

Dr. Anisa Baker-Busby was appointed principal of Shirley Hills Elementary in July 2022. She has over 20 years of educational experience serving as a teacher and administrator, and her passion is to help schools build systems of support that ensure high levels of learning for all students.

Dawn Caruso, EdD, is a former district administrator of assessment and accountability in Florida. She also served as a virtual school administrator as well as a literacy coach at the state and school level.

John Darnell is the principal at Highlands High School in Fort Thomas, Kentucky. Throughout his career, he worked across the state of Kentucky in both urban and rural schools as a social studies teacher and principal.

Nicole Dimich works with elementary and secondary educators in presentations, trainings, and consultations that address today’s most critical issues, all in the spirit of facilitating improved support of student learning.

Cassandra Erkens is the author of eight books with more currently in progress, as well as chapters in several anthologies. Additionally, she is a facilitator, a trainer of trainers, an educator, and a coach. Her work focuses on educational topics, including assessment, instruction, leadership, school improvement, and professional learning communities.

Angie Freese is an author and speaker with expertise in assessment, leadership, system improvement, and strategic planning. With over two decades in education, Angie brings a unique blend of experiences that include classroom teacher, building administrator, curriculum specialist, and district leader.

Garnet Hillman is an educator, author, presenter, and learner. She has served as an instructional coach at Caruso Middle School and as a Spanish teacher at Lockport Township High School, both in Illinois.

Dr. Jamie Lakey is a middle school principal dedicated to transforming her second campus into a Model PLC at Work® school. With deep expertise in instructional and assessment design, Dr. Lakey focuses on creating professional learning that leads to effective implementation and sustainable change.

With more than 35 years of experience as an educator, Peter Marshall most recently served as a school administrator and in a central office position as the principal for leadership and staff development.

Ken Mattingly is a retired classroom teacher with 27 years of experience. He has implemented classroom assessment for student learning for the past 15 years.