Authors & Presenters

John D. Ewald, EdD, is a former superintendent, principal, adjunct professor, and teacher. He has been an administrator and teacher at the elementary, middle, high school, and college levels.

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.

Elizabeth Ferguson is a former teacher, district trainer, and campus administrator with experience in establishing and growing professional learning communities (PLC) to ultimately become Model PLC at Work® schools, primarily through her work with special populations and challenging demographics.

Jody Gallimore, EdM, specializes in implementing professional learning communities (PLC) in the elementary and middle school settings. With over 38 years of experience, her roles of teacher, school leader, and district office leader enable her to coach using both experience and evidence-based practices.

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.

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.

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.

Jason Hillman is principal of Parkside Elementary School in Wyoming. He is an expert in school culture, school improvement, and professional learning community practices, and he has spent more than 20 years as an educational leader.

Joseph Ianora, principal on special assignment at Campbell Union High School District, has been an educational leader for more than 35 years, guiding schools by fostering learning communities for students, staff and parents. He has been lucky enough to hold almost every position within a school site, from custodian up to principal and everything in between. He has worked with inner city schools and suburban districts, and he has K–16 experience with an emphasis on high school.

David Jones has more than 25 years of experience in education as a superintendent, principal, assistant principal, and teacher. He supports schools throughout the country with the professional learning community and response to intervention school improvement processes.