Authors & Presenters

Dawn Billings has over 20 years of administrative experience in school and district improvement work, program management, professional development, and policy development and implementation.

Matthew Blackmore is an award-winning administrator who leads professional learning communities through best practices to ensure that all students learn at high levels. He is director of student services for North Polk Community School District near Des Moines, Iowa.

Jane Bluestein, PhD, has worked with students at all grade levels as a classroom teacher, crisis-intervention counselor, volunteer with high-risk youths, and supervisor. Dr. Bluestein currently heads Instructional Support Services, a consulting and resource firm in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Steve Van Bockern is a professor of education at Augustana University in South Dakota. Formerly a teacher and principal, his research interests include resiliency, alternative education, restorative justice, bullying, discipline, and creating well-being.

Kerry Bollman is instructional services coordinator and reading center director for St. Croix River Education District. She consults with staff on assessment and instruction, and on developing schoolwide organizational frameworks.

Cecilia Bonertz is the academic dean at Kinard Core Knowledge Middle School, a Model PLC at Work® school in Fort Collins, Colorado. She provides professional development related to the four guiding questions, leading her school to sustained, substantive school improvement.

Emily Bonner, PhD, is a professor of curriculum and instruction in mathematics education and the associate dean for research and faculty affairs at the University of Texas at San Antonio.

Jodi Bonnette, an instructional coach at Singapore American School, has taught internationally for over 30 years. In addition to Singapore, she has worked in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia and Osaka, Japan.

Tina H. Boogren, PhD, is a fierce advocate for educators, particularly for their well-being. She is the author of numerous best-selling books centered around her passion areas of quality instruction, coaching, mentoring, and wellness and is co-director of Solution Tree’s Wellness Solutions for Educators with Dr. Timothy D. Kanold. She hosts the weekly podcast Self-Care for Educators with Dr. Tina H. Boogren and has received several accolades, including being ranked #5 among the Top 30 Global Gurus in Education. She is also a recipient of the Marquis Who’s Who of Professional Women award and has been recognized by the Wall Street Journal as a Who’s Who of Distinguished Leaders. Dr. Boogren resides in Denver, Colorado.

Kristen Bordonaro, EdD, has served as a school- and district-level administrator for the last 15 years. She’s worked with both private and public school districts as well as special education collaboratives. Dr. Bordonaro’s passion is in uniting school teams to support the needs of all students through an “all means all” model.