Professional Learning Communities

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.

Richard K. Cohen is Chief Academic Officer for secondary education at Edison Township Public Schools in New Jersey. He is a former assistant superintendent and principal of Moss School (PreK and Kindergarten) in the Metuchen School District in New Jersey. He serves as faculty for Rutgers University in New Brunswick, New Jersey, and he is a former principal of Red Bank Primary School in New Jersey.

Deanne Kildare Opatosky has more than 20 years of experience in education. As an educational advisor, she facilitates extensive professional development initiatives for novice and experienced teachers in urban and suburban communities throughout New Jersey. Backed by data and other metrics, Deanne’s work has significantly and positively impacted student achievement for the districts she serves.

Allison Zamarripa is an educator, consultant, and advocate for building capacity and collective efficacy with teachers. She has over fifteen years of experience as a middle school teacher, instructional coach, and district literacy specialist in a recognized Model Professional Learning Community at Work® district. She focuses on building capacity and efficacy through hands-on coaching.

Phillip Page, EdD, is the superintendent of the Bartow County School System in Cartersville, Georgia. His experience spans more than 30 years and includes serving as a biology teacher, high school assistant principal, middle school and high school principal, and assistant superintendent.

Doug Gee is the superintendent of Clear Lake School District in Iowa. He has been an educator for over thirty five years, also serving as principal, teacher, and coach in various size districts.

Dr. Anne Franklin has lived the work of a Professional Learning Community throughout her entire career as a teacher, principal, and district leader in both public and private schools.

Barbara Tasber is the director of learning and continuous improvement for Windsor Central School District in Windsor, New York. As an educator and leader with over 20 years of experience, she is instrumental in leading the professional learning community process throughout the district.

Jill Lizier is a districtwide director of curriculum, instruction, and assessment in Exeter, New Hampshire, and has previously served as an assistant principal and special education building coordinator, a curriculum coordinator for an elementary school, and first-grade teacher.

Chris Bennett, EdD, is the executive director of middle schools and accountability for Cleveland County Schools in North Carolina. Under his leadership, Burns Middle School was designated a Model PLC School and earned Highly Effective Schools Accreditation.