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.

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.

Paula Maeker is an educator, presenter, and advocate for learner-centered education. She has more than 23 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.

Mary Mazariegos has worked in a variety of education roles, including English teacher, instructional coach, ELL facilitator, secondary English curriculum coordinator, and principal. She was integral in the work at U.S. Grant High School in Oklahoma City.

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.

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.