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

Kristen Nelson is an elementary school principal for the Capistrano Unified School District in California. She also serves as a college professor, leadership teacher, educational consultant, author, and leader of her district’s Spanish dual-language immersion programs.

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. She has extensive experience in reading clinics, consulting with school districts, leading professional development, and advising school systems on research-based reading instruction.

Brad Neuendorf, principal of Lander Valley High School, led its recognition as a Model PLC at Work® school in 2019 and a 2020 DuFour Award Finalist, reflecting his commitment to student achievement and continuous school improvement.

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.

Kim Nichols, EdD, is former assistant superintendent in Ringgold, Georgia. Under her leadership, Catoosa County Schools was named the first Model PLC District in Georgia and twelve schools have become Model PLCs.

Hedreich Nichols is an author, educator, and specialist in helping schools institute transformative change in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).

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.

Rebecca Nicolas, EdD, is the principal of Fern Creek High School in Louisville, Kentucky. Her work is focused on the implementation of the PLC process and the integration of collaborative teams.