Professional Learning Communities at Work®

Laura Conwell is the principal of Longfellow Elementary in Bozeman, Montana. She has nearly 20 years of experience as an elementary school teacher and principal.

During her more than 15 years in education, Tina Smith has proudly served Pasadena Independent School District, a Model PLC at Work® district, as a four-year, district-level summer school program manager while working as assistant principal at Nelda Sullivan Middle School, a Model PLC at Work school.

Josh Chastain, EdD, is currently the superintendent of Harrisonville Schools in Missouri. In his 25 years of educational experience, he has served as an elementary school teacher in Springfield, Missouri, a principal at multiple levels, and the director of curriculum, instruction, and assessment, professional development, digital learning, and federal programs in Nixa, Missouri.

Ryan Searle is the curriculum director for Carbon County School District #2 in Saratoga, Wyoming. He has served in K–12 administration roles for over 15 years at the elementary and secondary levels, most recently as principal of Rawlins Middle School.

Aaron Hansen is an expert in Professional Learning Communities (PLC), Response to Intervention (RTI) and student empowerment. He is a highly sought-after international speaker, strategic consultant, coach, and author.

Heather serves as the superintendent of schools in Fox Lake District 114 in the northern Illinois suburbs. Her work focuses on ensuring learning for ALL in schools.

Jack Baldermann has been a passionate educational leader for over 30 years. His experience includes leading several high-poverty urban schools to significant success and supporting eight different priority or high-poverty schools to become Model PLC at Work® schools.

Jon Yost is the recently retired associate superintendent of curriculum and instruction for Sanger Unified School District in California. He has worked in public education at the elementary, secondary, and district levels.

Luis F. Cruz, PhD, is a sought-after presenter, coach, thought leader, and accomplished author with over 30 years of experience in education.

Regina Stephens Owens, EdD is an internationally recognized presenter and practitioner who specializes in creating a culture of connectivity and collaboration while utilizing systems thinking.