Authors & Presenters

Jeanne Spiller is assistant superintendent for teaching and learning for Kildeer Countryside District 96 in Illinois. Her work focuses on implementation of the Common Core State Standards.

Brian M. Stack, CAGS, is a former New Hampshire high school principal who spent 16 years at a Model PLC at Work® school engaged in nationally recognized K–12 competency-based learning. He is the director of innovative projects for the New Hampshire Learning Initiative and specializes in supporting teachers and administrators in schools and districts across the country.

Mandy Stalets is a teacher and learner who is passionate about sound assessment and grading practices, as well as standards-based learning. Along with her consulting work, she is currently a high school mathematics teacher at Illinois State University’s laboratory schools.

Rebecca Stobaugh, PhD, is an assistant professor at Western Kentucky University. She teaches assessment and unit-planning courses, supervises first-year teachers, and consults with school districts on critical thinking, instructional strategies, assessment, technology integration, and other topics.

Becky Symes specializes in educator wellness, supporting new teachers, curriculum development, effective instruction, and professional learning communities. She has experience as a new teacher induction coordinator, literacy coach, instructional facilitator, curriculum developer, and presenter.

Amy Tollefson is the district-level principal with Osseo Area Schools in a diverse suburb of Minneapolis. Over more than 20 years, she has also served as a secondary school principal, secondary social studies teacher, district office coordinator, and assistant principal.

Matt Townsley, EdD, is an assistant professor of educational leadership at the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls, Iowa. He is a former district administrator and teacher in Solon Community Schools, also in Iowa, where he led curriculum, assessment, and school-improvement initiatives, all under the umbrella of a professional learning community philosophy.

Eric Twadell, PhD, is superintendent of Adlai E. Stevenson High School in Lincolnshire, Illinois. He has been a social studies teacher, curriculum director, and assistant superintendent for leadership and organizational development.

Susan Udelhofen, PhD, has 15 years of experience as a consultant. She provides professional development on some of the most relevant topics in education, including the Common Core, assessment, and school improvement.

Jonathan G. Vander Els specializes in supporting teachers and administrators in schools and districts across the country in developing, sustaining, and enhancing structures to support all learners.