Authors & Presenters

Daniel M. Argentar is a literacy coach and communication arts teacher at Adlai E. Stevenson High School in Lincolnshire, Illinois. He works with instructors from all divisions to increase disciplinary literacy for students.

Brett Erdmann is assistant director of science at Adlai E. Stevenson High School in Lincolnshire, Illinois. In his role, he continues to teach AP biology while also supporting teacher development and helping to lead science department initiatives.

Katherine Gillies is the lead architect of districtwide literacy improvement at Niles North High School, D219, in Illinois. Her work includes building a comprehensive system of intervention and support for struggling readers and developing a research-based curriculum to ensure continued literacy growth for all students.

Maria C. Grant, EdD, is a professor in secondary education at California State University, Fullerton. She has authored numerous publications centered on science literacy, formative assessment, and reading.

Ken Mattingly is a retired classroom teacher with 27 years of experience. He has implemented classroom assessment for student learning for the past 15 years.

Maureen M. Rubenstein is a literacy coach and special education instructor in Lincolnshire, Illinois. She works with other literacy coaches to coordinate and implement book clubs, PD sessions, and coaching sessions.

Ryan Scott has 15 years of experience in science education. He is currently a classroom teacher and facilitator coach at the 2017 DuFour Award-winning Fern Creek High School in Louisville, Kentucky.

Rusty Taylor has been a professional educator since 1997, serving as a science teacher, middle school assistant principal, and principal at both the middle and high school levels.

Amy Tollefson is the district-level principal with Osseo Area Schools in a diverse suburb of Minneapolis. Over more than 20 years, she has also served as a secondary school principal, secondary social studies teacher, district office coordinator, and assistant principal.

Brian Wise is an English Department chair at Deerfield High School in the suburbs of Chicago. Previously, he spent 16 years as a teacher and literacy coach at Adlai E. Stevenson High School in Lincolnshire, Illinois.