Authors & Presenters

Shanna K. Helmke has been a dedicated educator since 2011. Alongside her work as an instructional coach, she also serves as an adjunct professor at Mount Mercy University in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, furthering her commitment to fostering excellence in education.

Allana Hemenway, EdD, is the director of federal programs and grants at Randolph Field ISD. She has over 20 years of experience in education in both the U.S. and in Canada, and she has worked in large and small districts as well as at campuses with high student/school mobility.

Tihesha Henderson is a transformational education leader with more than 20 years of experience who empowers educators through visionary leadership, coaching, and strategic implementation to create lasting, equitable change in education.

Mary Hendricks-Harris is the superintendent of the Francis Howell School District in Missouri. Previously, she served as the chief academic officer, in which role she supported improvement efforts at both the building and district levels.

NeCole Hernandez serves as principal of Ashgrove Elementary in Wyoming. With 25 years of experience as a teacher, instructional coach, and administrator, she is committed to instructional leadership, collaboration, and establishing reliable schoolwide systems.

Michele A. Herold has been an integrated preschool teacher in the Metuchen School District in New Jersey since 2018. Her educational philosophy is to create an uplifting, compassionate, and nurturing classroom that encourages confidence, kindness, and love for learning.

Sal Herrera is the principal at Robertson Continuation High School in Fremont, California. He specializes in coaching collaborative teams, designing an effective multitiered system of supports (MTSS), and building a culture of collective responsibility.

Karin K. Hess, EdD, the creator of the Hess Cognitive Rigor Matrices, is an internationally recognized speaker and leader in developing practical approaches for using cognitive rigor and learning progressions in assessments. Since 1998, Karin has been working in schools as an elementary and middle school principal, district curriculum director, and classroom teacher.

Troy Hicks, PhD, is a professor of English and education at Central Michigan University, where he collaborates with K–12 colleagues to explore how they implement newer literacies in their classrooms.

Tom Hierck has been an educator since 1983, and his career has spanned all grade levels and many roles in public education. He has presented to schools and districts across North America with a message of celebration for educators seeking to make a difference in the lives of students.