Authors & Presenters

Becky Symes specializes in educator wellness, supporting new teachers, curriculum development, effective instruction, and professional learning communities. She has experience as a new teacher induction coordinator, literacy coach, instructional facilitator, curriculum developer, and presenter.

Andrea Thompson is the principal of Shell Lake Middle/High School in Shell Lake, Wisconsin, and has previously served as a director of curriculum and instruction, district assessment coordinator, summer program coordinator, and gifted and talented coordinator.

Amy Tollefson is the district-level principal with Osseo Area Schools in a diverse suburb of Minneapolis. Over more than 20 years, she has also served as a secondary school principal, secondary social studies teacher, district office coordinator, and assistant principal.

Matt Townsley, EdD, is an associate professor of educational leadership at the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls, Iowa. He is a former district administrator and teacher in Solon Community Schools, also in Iowa, where he led curriculum, assessment, and school-improvement initiatives, all under the umbrella of a professional learning community philosophy.

Adrienne Turner has 15 years of experience as a classroom teacher, reading specialist, instructional technology coach, and new teacher coordinator. She is currently the English language arts coordinator for grades preK–12 at Deer Creek Schools in Edmond, Oklahoma. Adrienne works to support teachers primarily in the areas of instruction, assessment, and wellness.

Eric Twadell, PhD, is superintendent of Adlai E. Stevenson High School in Lincolnshire, Illinois. He has been a social studies teacher, curriculum director, and assistant superintendent for leadership and organizational development.

Susan Udelhofen, PhD, has 15 years of experience as a consultant. She provides professional development on some of the most relevant topics in education, including the Common Core, assessment, and school improvement.

Jonathan G. Vander Els specializes in supporting teachers and administrators in schools and districts across the country in developing, sustaining, and enhancing structures to support all learners.

Gerry Varty has served as a classroom teacher, principal, director of curriculum and instruction, assistant superintendent (learning and system improvement), and executive director of professional development.

Haley Vogel is the assistant principal with 22 years of experience in education, including six years as a school leader and 13 years teaching biology, anatomy, and physiology. She is passionate about helping teacher teams rethink assessment to meet the needs of their students.