Authors & Presenters

Jorge Valenzuela is a highly regarded performance and education coach, author, and speaker at Lifelong Learning Defined. He specializes in core instruction and is known for delivering quality professional training in team building, project-based learning, STEM pathways, and SEL integration throughout the curriculum.

Mark Van Clay, EdD, is an educational presenter who specializes in aligning school systems. He also works with the Consortium for Educational Change and has 30 years of experience in education.

Thomas Van Soelen, PhD, is a professional development trainer and leadership coach. His areas of expertise include instructional strategies, learning communities, critical friendship, leadership development, and teacher evaluation.

Jonathan G. Vander Els specializes in supporting teachers and administrators in schools and districts across the country in developing, sustaining, and enhancing structures to support all learners.

Natalie is an educator, coach, speaker, and passionate learner. Driven to make education empowering for all, she has developed expertise in equitable assessment and grading practices and can break down complex topics into practical strategies to drive school improvement.

Gerry Varty has served as a classroom teacher, principal, director of curriculum and instruction, assistant superintendent (learning and system improvement), and executive director of professional development.

Angela Veatch, a National Board Certified Teacher with over 25 years in education, serves as an instructional specialist for Fort Smith Public Schools. She is passionate about visible learning, learning by doing, and strengthening teacher efficacy through the PLC process.

Eddie Velez is the former principal at Kennedy High School in Fremont, California. He specializes in building leadership capacity, building PLC culture, implementing RTI, and coaching collaborative teams. He has a genuine connection and care for every school he serves and is respected for his ability to meet schools “where they are” without compromising the end goal of creating equitable opportunities for all students.

Kathy Vergara, EdD, is an experienced educator dedicated to serving and improving educational outcomes for multilingual learners and their families. She focuses on designing and implementing curriculum for bilingual, dual language, and ESL programs in grades preK–12.

Jamie Virga, EdD, has over 35 years of experience as a teacher, principal, professional developer, principal coach, and associate superintendent. He works to support schools and districts with implementing Professional Learning Communities at Work® and RTI at Work™ processes.