Authors & Presenters

Emily Feltner, EdD, has over 30 years of experience at all levels in education. She works with schools and districts in the areas of leadership, literacy, and school improvement.

Whitney K. Freije is an instructional coach and mathematics teacher for the Windsor Central School District in upstate New York. She has previously served as a K–5 literacy coach and an elementary teacher.

Jacqueline Heller focuses on building capacity and collective efficacy with teachers, to ensure all students learn at high levels. As a literacy teacher and coach at Mason Crest Elementary, she helped the school become the first National Model Professional Learning Community to receive the DuFour Award.

Doug Lillydahl is director of communication arts at Adlai E. Stevenson High School in Illinois. He guides literacy interventions and staff development, oversees ELA assessment, and supports curricular and instructional evolution.

Paula Maeker is an educator, consultant, and advocate for learner-centered education. She has more than twenty-three years’ experience as an elementary teacher, literacy specialist, instructional coach, Title 1 program coordinator, campus administrator, director of elementary literacy, and director of instructional design.

Erica Martin is a literacy specialist at Kildeer Countryside School District 96, located in the northwest suburbs of Chicago. She has experience as a district leader, reading interventionist, and classroom teacher.

With more than 30 years of experience in education, Tracy Nelson specializes in supporting districts, buildings, and teams in developing and implementing practices that bring clarity and focus to professional learning communities

Leanne Olinger is a literacy specialist and instructional coach for the Fort Mill School District in South Carolina. She has served as a public educator for 18 years and is dedicated to providing individualized learning experiences to educators and students alike.

Mark Onuscheck is director of curriculum, instruction, and assessment at Adlai E. Stevenson High School in Illinois. He is a former English teacher and director of communication arts.

Barbara Phillips is an educational presenter and researcher from upstate New York with over 20 years of experience in public education. She specializes in effective instruction and leveraging teacher strengths to maximize student achievement and learning.