Authors & Presenters

Bri Crook most recently served as the instructional coach at Baxter Elementary in Baxter, Iowa. She has several years of experience in education at the elementary level and district level, also serving as the technology director.

Thomas Crook is a seasoned superintendent with over 20 years of experience in education. Under his leadership, Canisteo-Greenwood Elementary School in Canisteo, New York, achieved Model PLC at Work® school status within its first year in the New York State PLC Project.

Luis F. Cruz, PhD, is a sought-after presenter, coach, thought leader, and accomplished author with over 30 years of experience in education.

Katie Cubano is an educator focused on supporting teachers and schools as they design and implement curriculum and instruction that effectively and equitably meet students’ needs. Katie has over 15 years of experience in education, including teaching at the secondary and post-secondary levels and working alongside colleagues to improve teaching and learning as an instructional coach. In her work, Katie strives to ensure that each student has full access to their civil right to an education, and that each teacher is equipped with the skills, knowledge, and dispositions necessary to lead in their classrooms and communities with confidence, integrity, and excellence.

Joe Cuddemi has over 35 years of experience in education, serving as a teacher, counselor, and principal in a wide variety of educational settings, including adjunct professor at Colorado State University.

Kimberly Cullen is an education professional who has held a variety of teaching and leadership positions in an international school based in Madrid, Spain. She has also served international and independent K–12 schools as a coach.

Craig Cullen, PhD, is an associate professor of mathematics education at Illinois State University. He works with preservice secondary mathematics teachers, regularly teaching methods courses and supervising student teachers.

Jason D. Cummins (Awachíikaate) is an Indigenous scholar with over 20 years of experience in education, having served in various roles including teacher, instructional coach, and administrator. He is a contributing author of The School Wellness Wheel, coauthor of Humanized Education, and a professor of educational leadership at Montana State University. Jason has worked with schools on a range of initiatives, from implementing traditional school improvement efforts to culturally sustaining, trauma-informed, and restorative approaches.

Dr. Jim Cummins supports school leaders wanting to build student-centered cultures. During his 30 years of positively impacting students, he served as coach, teacher, principal, superintendent, and junior college vice president.

James W. Cunningham, PhD, is professor emeritus of literacy studies at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He has taught at the elementary and secondary levels and served as a consultant in 25 states.