Authors & Presenters

Michelle Dillard is an assistant superintendent for Jefferson County Public Schools in Louisville, Kentucky, where she oversees two high schools, three middle schools, fifteen elementary schools, and three Success Pathways schools.

Stephanie Discher is the principal of Old Mill Elementary in Heber City, Utah. She has a unique blend of experiences that include classroom teacher, building administrator, instructional coach, and university inclusion specialist.

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.

John D. Ewald, EdD, is a former superintendent, principal, adjunct professor, and teacher. He has been an administrator and teacher at the elementary, middle, high school, and college levels.

Darin L. Fahrney, PhD, is the coordinator for strategic implementation and an upper school teacher at the American International School of Zagreb, Croatia. He brings a broad range of experience and expertise to his work, having previously served as a high school principal, learning support coordinator, gifted and talented coordinator, contributing author, researcher, and consultant.

Paul C. Farmer is a practitioner who has worked at the classroom, building, and central office levels. As principal of Joyce Kilmer Middle School, Paul was one of the first principals in Fairfax County, Virginia, to build a PLC.

William M. Ferriter uses his 29 years of experience as a full-time classroom teacher to design professional development sessions for educators on topics ranging from establishing professional learning communities and effective systems of intervention to integrating meaningful differentiation, extension, and student-involved assessment opportunities into classroom instruction.

Heather Friziellie is currently superintendent of schools for Fox Lake Grade School District 114, located in the suburbs northwest of Chicago. She previously served as both an elementary principal and a middle school principal.

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

Troy Gobble is principal of Adlai E. Stevenson High School in Illinois. He previously served as assistant principal for teaching and learning at Stevenson.