Authors & Presenters

Deanne Kildare Opatosky has more than 20 years of experience in education. As an educational advisor, she facilitates extensive professional development initiatives for novice and experienced teachers in urban and suburban communities throughout New Jersey. Backed by data and other metrics, Deanne’s work has significantly and positively impacted student achievement for the districts she serves.

Joellen Killion serves as the senior advisor for Learning Forward. With more than 40 years’ experience, she leads, facilitates, and contributes to initiatives related to examining the link between professional learning and student learning.

Dr. Jeryl Kimbrough-Scott is a lifelong educator, who has worked to transform school culture and climate through a collaborative approach that involves staff and students. She supports schools in literacy, effective strategies for English learners, differentiation, and diversity, equity, and inclusion practices.

Dr. Jill Kind is the director of learning and achievement for Osseo Area Schools in a diverse suburb of Minneapolis. Her areas of focus are curriculum, assessment and standards-based instruction, and grading at the secondary or system levels.

Dennis King, EdD, has focused on school improvement throughout his career, first as a practicing school administrator and now as an educational presenter. His 28 years in education include teaching in an alternative school, an urban high school, and two suburban school districts where he also served as a district administrator.

Lyle Kirtman is a management consultant specializing in organizational development, strategic planning, conflict resolution, and executive coaching. He is a frequent keynote speaker, webinar presenter, and radio and television guest.

Jane A. G. Kise, EdD, is the author of more than 25 books and has extensive experience in leadership development, executive coaching, instructional coaching, and differentiated instruction.

ClauDean ChiNaka Kizart, EdD, is a distinguished diversity, equity, and inclusion-certified leader with over 25 years of experience in K–12 and higher education. She is known for her ability to inspire positive change within diverse communities.

Jennifer D. Klein lives and breathes the student-centered pedagogies used to educate her. She spent 19 years as an educator before leaving the classroom to support educators’ professional learning in public, private and international schools.

George Knights is director of professional learning communities and K–12 assessment for the Newport-Mesa Unified School District in southern California. He has been a principal, an English teacher, and an activities director.