Authors & Presenters

Racheal Branch serves as the principal of Huntsville Intermediate in Huntsville, Texas. She has worked to create a culture of collaboration by embedding the professional learning communities process to grow student performance and build teacher capacity.

Carla Braun, EdD, currently serves as the director of continuous school improvement and professional learning in Westmont, Illinois, a K–12 school district. She is an experienced principal, professional development provider, interventionist, and elementary teacher.

Larry Brendtro, PhD, is director of The Resilience Academy and professor emeritus at Augustana University. He has rich, practical experience as a teacher, principal, and psychologist—including 14 years as president of Starr Commonwealth.

Diane J. Briars, PhD, a mathematics education consultant, is president of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics. She was mathematics director of Pittsburgh Public Schools for 20 years.

MaryAnn Brittingham helps educators working with students at risk. She is an instructor and supervisor of student teachers at the State University of New York at New Paltz.

Dr. Karen Johannesen Brock has been an educator and educational presenter for more than three decades. She has assisted more than 100 schools (K–12) and districts with implementing school improvement plans. Her work with schools and districts focuses on instructional coaching and design as well as professional learning plans, school-improvement plans, English learners and multilingual students, and literacy.

Dixon Brooks has been an educator for 31 years and has spent the last five years at the district level where he serves as the chief instructional officer.

Dr. Rebecca Brooks is an associate professor in the special education teacher preparation and graduate program in the School of Education at California State University San Marcos. She previously served as a public school special educator for grades K–12.

Jo Brown, an instructional coach and presenter, specializes in enhancing instructional practices and teacher leadership. She collaborates with educational institutions to drive improvements through professional development and coaching.