Authors & Presenters

Gearl Loden is the superintendent of Nixa Public Schools. Under Dr. Loden’s leadership, Nixa Public Schools has been recognized as a Model PLC at Work® district and includes multiple Model PLC at Work schools.

Suzette Lovely, EdD, an educational consultant, worked in K–12 education for 37 years, serving as a teacher, principal, assistant/deputy superintendent, and most recently, superintendent at the Carlsbad Unified School District, before retiring in 2016.

Cheri Lovre, an author and a consultant, has nearly 30 years of experience in crisis response and trauma intervention and is an internationally acclaimed leader in the field.

Dave Ludy is a former principal of a Model PLC at WorkⓇ in Wisconsin. His work is focused on implementing the PLC process and he has extensive experience with rural school districts.

Benjamin Luis is assistant superintendent of Lemoore Union Elementary School District in California. He specializes in building capacity in leaders and collaborative teacher teams through the professional learning communities (PLC) process and positive school culture.

Stephanie Luke is a visiting instructor at the University of Central Florida, where she teaches elementary teacher candidates mathematics and science methods courses. She also serves on the Lake County School Board, representing District 5.

Mandy E. Lusk, PhD, is a lifelong special education practitioner who serves as an associate professor of special education at Clayton State University and has taught students of all ages with emotional and behavioral disorders across the United States.

James Luttrell has more than 20 years of experience in education—from preschool to high school and from rural to urban. He specializes in data analysis protocols, improving school culture, and implementing professional learning communities (PLC) processes.

Colby Lynch has been a secondary educator for 15 years. He is currently the assistant principal of Douglas High School and has previously served as a high school principal, junior high assistant principal/activities director, and high school English teacher.

Kyle Machen, EdD, the principal of Benton Middle School in Louisiana, has been an educator for close to 20 years. Under his leadership, Benton Middle School was recognized as Louisiana’s first Model PLC.