Authors & Presenters

Gene M. Kerns, EdD, is a third-generation teacher with experience from elementary school to the university level, as well in K–12 administration. He has nearly 20 years of experience leading staff development.

Diane Lapp, EdD, is a distinguished professor of education at San Diego State University and an English teacher and literacy coach at Health Sciences High and Middle College.

Barbara Moss, PhD, is a professor at San Diego State University, where she teaches courses at the credential and master’s levels. She has worked as a teacher at every grade level from 1 to 12 over the course of her career.

Jennifer S. Norford, MA, is the chief program officer at Marzano Research in Denver, Colorado. She has more than twenty years of experience as a teacher, instructional materials developer, technical assistance provider, research and development specialist, and development director in preK–12 and postsecondary settings.

Angela Peery, EdD, is an experienced consultant who supports educators in designing curriculum, making data-driven instructional decisions, and improving student achievement.

Kathy Perez, EdD, is a professor emerita at Saint Mary’s College of California. She has extensive teaching experience as a general and special educator, literacy/ESL coach, administrator, and curriculum/staff-development coordinator.

Timothy V. Rasinski, PhD, is a professor of literacy education at Kent State University. He focuses on reading fluency and word study, reading in the elementary and middle grades, and readers who struggle.

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.

Julia A. Simms, an author, is vice president at Marzano Resources. A former classroom teacher, she and her team develop research-based resources and provide support to educators as they put them into practice.

Brian Wise is an English Department chair at Deerfield High School in the suburbs of Chicago. Previously, he spent 16 years as a teacher and literacy coach at Adlai E. Stevenson High School in Lincolnshire, Illinois.