Authors & Presenters

Dan Swatek is the elementary principal at Cardinal Elementary School in Nebraska, which he helped lead to Model PLC status in 2018. Throughout his nearly twenty-year career as an educator, he has also served as an assistant principal, middle school teacher, and head coach.

Rachel Swearengin teaches fifth grade in Olathe Public Schools and serves as a field educator for the Kansas State Department of Education, leading professional development and contributing to assessment and planning committees.

Marie Swift has been a K–3 classroom teacher for the majority of her career. She was also a K–12 technology resource teacher and a literacy resource teacher for K–8 in the Simcoe County District in Ontario, Canada.

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.

Liza A. Talusan, PhD, is a strategic partner in areas of diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice. She is currently a faculty member at the University of Massachusetts Boston, where she teaches courses on anti-racist leadership and identity-conscious leadership skills.

Lisa Tartaglia is a high school assistant principal in Loudoun County Public Schools in Virginia. She has been an educator since 1994 and has experience as an elementary classroom teacher, reading specialist, and high school literacy coach.

Barbara Tasber is the director of learning and continuous improvement for Windsor Central School District in Windsor, New York. As an educator and leader with over 20 years of experience, she is instrumental in leading the professional learning community process throughout the district.

Janet Lynne Tassell, PhD, is an associate professor at Western Kentucky University, where she teaches elementary math methods and directs the Elementary Mathematics Specialist Endorsement program.

Marcia L. Tate, EdD, is the former executive director of professional development for the DeKalb County School System in Decatur, Georgia. During her thirty-year career with the district, she has been a classroom teacher, reading specialist, language arts coordinator, and staff development executive director.

Rusty Taylor has been a professional educator since 1997, serving as a science teacher, middle school assistant principal, and principal at both the middle and high school levels.