Authors & Presenters

Hiawatha Smith, PhD, is an associate professor of literacy education. Prior to his work preparing educators to teach literacy, Hiawatha worked as a classroom teacher and an instructional coach.

Mignon Smith is an Assistant Principal at a middle school in the District of Columbia. Previously, she served as a math instructional specialist (grades K-8), curriculum planner, math department chair, grade level chair and math and physics teacher. She has taught in public, charter and private school environments across elementary, middle, and high school.

Rea Smith is an elementary mathematics and science curriculum specialist in northwestern Arkansas. She passionately supports the work of professional learning communities with a focus on common assessments to improve student and teacher learning.

W. Richard Smith is former deputy superintendent of Sanger Unified School District in California. He has been involved in public education for more than 37 years.

Perry Soldwedel is a coach and consultant to district leaders. He specializes in systems thinking, shared leadership, strategic planning, data collection, measurement, and professional learning communities.

Tim Solley is an experienced leadership coach for the Alabama Department of Education’s Office of School Improvement. With more than 35 years of service in public education, he was previously a classroom teacher, K–12 school administrator, and assistant superintendent.

William A. Sommers, PhD, of Austin, Texas, is a teacher, principal, author, and leadership coach. He has also been a consultant for cognitive coaching, adaptive schools, brain research, poverty, habits of mind, conflict management, and classroom management strategies.

Bob Sonju is an award-winning educational leader, author, and speaker known for his energetic and passionate commitment to making the work of schools and teacher teams simple, doable, and impactful.

Thomas Soto, an assistant principal at Sanger High School, oversees English, English learners, and special education. He has worked with students from a variety of cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds.