Authors & Presenters

Sarah Ballew is the district mathematics coordinator for grades K-12 at Willis ISD in Texas. She specializes in helping instructional leaders at the elementary and secondary levels implement PLC processes that impact teaching and learning.

Tim Brown, a consultant, has 30 years of experience in education. As principal of elementary, middle, and high schools in Missouri, he led each to become a successful professional learning community.

Eric Burns is the principal at Lynn Lucas Middle School for Willis ISD in Willis, Texas. His focus is coaching collaborative teams through the PLC process and designing effective RTI systems to monitor student performance. He has received accolades including being named Hardy Elementary’s Teacher of the Year in 2012 and Willis Independent School District's Principal of the Year in 2020.

A skilled district and school administrator with more than 29 years of experience in public education, Amy Clark is passionate about school improvement, believing this is accomplished through a strong collaborative team and an unwavering commitment to learning for all.

Anne E. Conzemius, a trainer and coach, has served as director of employee development and training for Wisconsin’s Department of Employment Relations, and as assistant state superintendent at the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction.

Shawn Creswell is campus principal of a new preK–6 campus in the 2022–23 school year. With over 20 years of experience in education, she has served as a classroom teacher, assistant principal, principal, and district director of curriculum, instruction, and assessment.

Jerrod Dastrup is the principal at Snow Canyon Middle School in Saint George, Utah. He is passionate about the Professional Learning Communities (PLC) at Work® process and specializes in motivating and supporting teachers and administrators in the areas of PLC, response to intervention (RTI), school culture, and data analysis.

Chad Dumas, EdD, focuses primarily on collaborating to develop capacity for continuous improvement. An international educational presenter and award-winning researcher, he has led nationally recognized improvements for both students and staff.

Robert Eaker, EdD, is a professor emeritus at Middle Tennessee State University, where he also served as dean of the College of Education and interim vice president and provost.

John F. Eller, PhD, has served as director of a doctoral program at St. Cloud State University. He is a former principal, director of a principal’s training center, and assistant superintendent.