Authors & Presenters

Renee Tristan is an English language arts content specialist for Tomball Independent School District in Northwest Houston, TX. As an instructional leader and literacy coach, her work focuses on the implementation of standards-aligned teaching and higher levels of literacy for all students.

Catlin R. Tucker, EdD, is a best-selling author, a keynote speaker, an international trainer, and a professor in the Master of Arts in Teaching program at Pepperdine University in California. She taught for 16 years in Sonoma County, California.

Jessica Tucker is an MTSS behavior specialist for a Model PLC at Work® district in Phoenix, Arizona. She has served as an elementary and middle school classroom teacher, a behavior coach, and a dean of students.

Adrienne Turner has 15 years of experience as a classroom teacher, reading specialist, instructional technology coach, and new teacher coordinator. She is currently the English language arts coordinator for grades preK–12 at Deer Creek Schools in Edmond, Oklahoma. Adrienne works to support teachers primarily in the areas of instruction, assessment, and wellness.

Nicole S. Turner is an educational coach and author with over 17 years of classroom and leadership experience. She has worked with thousands of educators, instructional coaches, and administrators across the United States through conferences and custom professional development sessions.

Eric Twadell, PhD, is superintendent of Adlai E. Stevenson High School in Lincolnshire, Illinois. He has been a social studies teacher, curriculum director, and assistant superintendent for leadership and organizational development.

Susan Udelhofen, PhD, has 15 years of experience as a consultant. She provides professional development on some of the most relevant topics in education, including the Common Core, assessment, and school improvement.

Katie Upshaw is a preschool special education teacher in the Metuchen School District in New Jersey. Additionally, she also serves as a union representative, chairs the school leadership team, and engages in district committees.

Javier Vaca is a teacher and instructional coach at Health Sciences High and Middle School in California. He previously served as an elementary school teacher and a reading intervention specialist.