Authors & Presenters

With more than 30 years of experience in education, Tracy Nelson specializes in supporting districts, buildings, and teams in developing and implementing practices that bring clarity and focus to professional learning communities

Dr. Molly Ness is a former classroom teacher, a reading researcher, and a teacher educator. She spent 16 years as an associate professor of childhood education at Fordham University. Her research focuses on reading comprehension, teachers’ instructional decisions, and dyslexia.

Joanna Newton, PhD, is a professor of education at Notre Dame of Maryland University, where she specializes in literacy instruction. She has been an elementary classroom teacher, literacy coach, reading intervention specialist, and curriculum developer.

LeAnn Nickelsen, an author and a former teacher, is an expert on brain research strategies, best practices in literacy, and other high-impact tools that close and prevent gaps in high-poverty schools.

Sandi Novak, a consultant, has more than 30 years of experience in education and has served as an assistant superintendent, principal, and teacher.

Leanne Olinger is a literacy specialist and instructional coach for the Fort Mill School District in South Carolina. She has served as a public educator for 18 years and is dedicated to providing individualized learning experiences to educators and students alike.

Mark Onuscheck is director of curriculum, instruction, and assessment at Adlai E. Stevenson High School in Illinois. He is a former English teacher and director of communication arts.

Beth Pandolpho is an instructional coach and has taught English at the high school and college level for over 20 years. She is passionate about supporting teachers in developing a classroom culture with a strong social and emotional foundation in order to create powerful learning experiences.

Angela Peery, EdD, is an educational expert and author with more than three decades of experience as an educator. She works mainly in the areas of literacy and curriculum development.

Kathy Perez, EdD, is a professor emerita at Saint Mary’s College of California. She has extensive teaching experience as a general and special educator, literacy/ESL coach, administrator, and curriculum/staff-development coordinator.