Professional Learning Communities at Work®

Chad M. V. 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.

Danieli Parker is director of innovation and instructional technology for Hallsville ISD in Texas. With more than 18 years of education experience, she has served as a classroom teacher, assistant principal, principal, and director.

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.

Maria Espinoza, EdM, is the principal of Freeport Elementary in Freeport, Texas. With 17 years of experience, she specializes in early childhood education and implementing the professional learning community process to help underperforming schools.

Kevin Strahley is the principal of Windsor Central Middle School. He was named the New York State Principal of the Year in 2018 and has more than 30 years experience as a teacher, coach, administrator, and consultant.

Dr. Jennifer Chastain is currently a principal in the Raymore-Peculiar School District located in the Kansas City area. She is passionate about fostering a positive collaborative school culture where students and educators learn at high levels.

Alvin Thomas, EdD, is a principal in a school district in Georgia and a part-time professor at Kennesaw State University and Georgia State University. He has 17 years of experience as an assistant principal, student behavior program specialist, and teacher.

Kristina Leckliter is an innovative educational leader who has served as an elementary teacher, instructional coach, reading specialist, and induction mentor specialist. She is also a professional learning community trainer for a Model Professional Learning Community at Work® district in Phoenix, Arizona.

Paul M. White, PhD, is the superintendent of New Prairie United School Corporation in Northern Indiana. He has experience as a secondary-level special education teacher, social studies teacher, middle school principal, and high school principal.

Kristina Medlin is a dedicated professional learning community trainer in the Deer Valley Unified School District, a Model Professional Learning Community at Work® district. She works passionately to build capacity and the professional learning communities process across campuses.