Authors & Presenters

Maria Nielsen, educational speaker and author, specializes in supporting teachers and administrators in the areas of PLCs, RTI, school culture, curriculum design, the highly engaged classroom, and assessment systems. Her life’s work is to help schools build successful systems to ensure high levels of student learning.

Robin Noble is an author, consultant, and presenter with more than 30 years of experience in education. She has served as an elementary school principal, district instructional coach, middle school English teacher, and special education teacher.

Cheryl O’Leary is principal of Thomas Edison Primary School, a Title I school located in Kankakee, Illinois. Cheryl implemented professional learning community concepts and results-driven professional development that brought about substantial, schoolwide change.

Regina Stephens Owens, EdD is an internationally recognized presenter and practitioner who specializes in creating a culture of connectivity and collaboration while utilizing systems thinking.

Kyle Palmer, EdD, is the former principal of Lewis and Clark Elementary in Liberty, Missouri. He is a passionate believer in the power of PLCs and uses his expertise to help schools build collaborative cultures to improve student learning.

Geri Parscale spent 28 years in education and has worked as a classroom teacher, principal, professional development director, and finally deputy superintendent of Fort Leavenworth Schools, USD 207. Her mode of operation was always the same: learning for all kids.

Cristi Parsons has 28 years of education experience as a teacher, counselor, principal, curriculum director, and assistant superintendent. She was named National Distinguished Principal in 2013 and has led two campuses in PLC practices to become Model PLC schools.

Karen Power is an educational presenter and a former teacher, principal, superintendent, and senior advisor for professional learning and leadership. Karen has implemented the PLC process both as a principal and as a superintendent, and for several years, she has supported collaborative work in schools to meet the needs of students.

Keri Rathbun, EdD, is the director of coordinated school health and career counseling at Northside High School in Fort Smith, Arkansas. She has worked in education for more than 20 years.

Dana Renner is the assistant superintendent of Stillwater Public Schools. She has more than 20 years of experience in education and has worked at all levels of education, from preschool through high school.