Authors & Presenters

Whitney K. Freije is an elementary school principal at A.F. Palmer Elementary, a Model PLC at Work® school in the Windsor Central School District, located in upstate New York. She specializes in empowering teachers with effective instructional practices to promote high levels of literacy and mathematics.

Natasha E. Gerstenschlager, PhD, is an efficacy research manager for Imagine Learning, where she studies the impact of educational products on student outcomes. Formerly, she taught mathematics courses in Kentucky and led professional development sessions on innovative, research-based teaching practices.

Jody Guarino, EdD, is manager of the Teaching, Learning and Instructional Leadership Collaborative at the Orange County Department of Education and a School of Education lecturer at the University of California, Irvine (UCI).

Erhan Selcuk Haciomeroglu, PhD, is an associate professor of mathematics education at the University of Central Florida. His research focuses on the conceptual understanding of calculus and technology integration in teaching.

Amanda Hathhorn, district math specialist and mentor for the Aspiring Instructional Coaching Academy at Pasadena ISD, has over 20 years of experience in education. Notably, she played a pivotal role in successfully implementing the Professional Learning Communities (PLC) at Work® process and subsequently earning a Model PLC at Work school distinction at V. W. Miller Intermediate.

Sandra Hawtrey is a consultant specializing in new teacher training, instructional strategies, and K–6 Common Core math implementation. She has been a teacher and instructional coach for over 25 years.

Dr. Tashana D. Howse is an associate professor of mathematics education at Georgia Gwinnett College. She has mathematical teaching experience ranging from classroom public education to developing the teachers of tomorrow through preservice teacher education courses.

Darshan M. Jain is the director of mathematics and computer science at Adlai E. Stevenson High School in Illinois. Previously, he served as an award-winning mathematics teacher as well as as a curriculum team leader.

Lauren Johnson is a secondary mathematics teacher and curriculum coordinator for Fullerton Joint Union High School District in Orange County, California. She has taught early childhood, middle school, high school, and adult learners.

Timothy D. Kanold, PhD, an award-winning educator and author, is former superintendent of Adlai E. Stevenson High School District 125, a Model PLC at Work® district in Lincolnshire, Illinois.