School Improvement

As educators and leaders across the nation grapple with the challenge of changing policies, practices, and procedures to ensure high levels of learning for all students, the inability to effectively change the mindsets of colleagues, faculty, and staff is proving to be the biggest hurdle of all. Hence, in order for systems to change, outlooks will also need to change.

Learn how U.S. Grant High School changed from the “dropout factory” to an engine of hope for the students it serves, and how its success can be replicated anywhere.

has served students in her community for 27 years. Currently, she serves as director of elementary, equity, and access for Norwalk La Mirada USD in California. Dr. Isiah is passionate about equity and access, multilingual education, leadership, and closing opportunity gaps for historically underserved students. Dr. Isiah’s experiences as an immigrant, English learner, and a child in poverty add to her passion for her work.

Malik Muhammad is a consultant, speaker, and instructional specialist with 20 years of experience in public, charter, private, and homeschool education. He has served as a classroom teacher, instructional coach, dean of instruction, and assistant principal.

Shauneen Pete has been an educator in the province of Saskatchewan for over twenty-five years. She has worked as an alternative high school teacher, a division-level educational consultant, and a professor. She has also served as both vice-president and interim president at First Nations University of Canada.

Jeanie Iberlin, EdD, associate superintendent of Johnson County School District in Wyoming, leads administrators, instructional facilitators, teachers, and other staff members in the areas of curriculum, instruction, assessment, evaluation, and professional development.

Mike Ruyle, EdD, has served as a classroom teacher, athletic coach, school principal, program director, university professor, and professional development presenter over a 30-year career.

Dr. Rivers Murphy, EdD, is a seasoned presenter and educational leader. A change agent for over two decades, she has helped transform some of the highest-needs neighborhoods and districts by improving student active engagement, teacher self-care, school culture, and academic success.

Kristyn Klei Borrero, EdD, is an accomplished educational leader and coach who strives to make a profound difference in the professional lives of educators. She is the cofounder of No-Nonsense Nurturer® and has served as a classroom teacher, principal, and superintendent.

Dr. Tonya Balch is a professor in the Department of Applied Clinical and Educational Sciences in the Bayh College of Education at Indiana State University and has been the program coordinator for the School Counseling M.Ed. program for 15 years. She is passionate about ensuring excellence in graduate programming and providing authentic experiences in practice.