Authors & Presenters

Maureen M. Rubenstein is a literacy coach and special education instructor in Lincolnshire, Illinois. She works with other literacy coaches to coordinate and implement book clubs, PD sessions, and coaching sessions.

Beth Russell, EdD, has worked with numerous urban and suburban school systems introducing personality type theory and teaching its value as a tool for differentiation, classroom management, culturally responsive teaching, instructional coaching, and collaboration.

Kevin Ryan, EdD, serves as assistant superintendent in North Shore 112. Since 2018, he has also been an associate with Solution Tree, presenting on key topics such as professional learning communities, Yes We Can!, standards, assessment, and instruction.

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.

Dr. Sanchioni serves as the superintendent of the Tiverton Public Schools in Tiverton, Rhode Island. He has a wide array of educational experiences including serving as the superintendent in Natick, Massachusetts (10 years) and in Millis, Massachusetts (three years). In addition, Dr. Sanchioni served as a principal for 10 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.

James Savage is an associate professor and postgraduate student at George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia. There, he teaches English academic writing courses while pursuing his PhD in writing and rhetoric. He has more than 20 years of experience as an educator teaching age groups ranging from seventh grade to post-secondary graduate students.

Julie A. Schmidt has served as a school psychologist, Director of Student Services, Associate Superintendent of Student Services, and recently retired from Kildeer Countryside CCSD 96 in Illinois after serving as Superintendent of Schools for 13 years. The district began its professional learning communities (PLC) journey nearly 25 years ago, and all seven schools have been recognized as Model PLC at Work^® schools. She is passionate about ensuring ALL students have an opportunity to thrive and reach their goals.

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.