Authors & Presenters

Bo Ryan is principal of the Ana Grace Academy of the Arts Elementary Magnet School in Bloomfield, Connecticut. He is passionate about building and sustaining professional learning communities (PLCs) and has led two different schools to Model PLC at Work® certification.

Clara Sale-Davis takes no excuses for low performance, and she sets an inspiring example for all students, noting that “all means all.” Born, raised, and educated in Texas, she worked in the Brazosport Independent School District in Freeport for 32 years.

Tamie Sanders has worked in education for almost 30 years. After teaching at the middle school level, she entered school administration and has made it her mission to improve student achievement.

Sarah Schuhl specializes in professional learning communities, mathematics, assessment, school improvement, and RTI. She has been a secondary mathematics teacher, high school instructional coach, and K–12 mathematics specialist.

Sienna Shively is a principal coach in Phoenix, Arizona. Sienna has more than 25 years of experience working as a teacher, principal, director of curriculum and instruction, and principal coach.

Artia Shorter is a dedicated assistant principal at a Title I elementary school in Georgia. With extensive experience working with students living in poverty in Title I schools, Artia is passionate about guiding educators through the professional learning community process and building shared knowledge amongst professional learning teams to increase the cognitive rigor of students.

Dr. Spiller is executive director of Title IX Compliance and Investigations, a new division in Richardson ISD that he has been appointed to onboard. Previously he served for eight years as the Lake Highlands Learning Community executive director in Richardson ISD, a district with more than 10,500 preK–12 students. Darwin has served as classroom teacher, assistant principal, principal, and school support officer.

With over 30 years of experience in K–12 education, author and education expert Jeanne Spiller is an associate with Solution Tree, supporting schools and districts through workshops, coaching, and collaborative initiatives to enhance instruction, foster innovation, and promote equity.

Kwame Stephens has over 20 years’ experience in education, having served as a teacher, high school principal, and consultant. In his current role, Kwame develops and facilitates professional learning opportunities in the areas of school improvement and leadership development.

With a career spanning over three decades, Tesha Ferriby Thomas, EdD, is a seasoned educator whose dedication to fostering collaborative learning environments has significantly enhanced educational practices and student outcomes in schools nationwide.