Authors & Presenters

Paula Maeker is an educator, consultant, and advocate for learner-centered education. She has more than twenty-three years’ experience as an elementary teacher, literacy specialist, instructional coach, Title 1 program coordinator, campus administrator, director of elementary literacy, and director of instructional design.

Erica Martin is a literacy specialist at Kildeer Countryside School District 96, located in the northwest suburbs of Chicago. She has experience as a district leader, reading interventionist, and classroom teacher.

Jacie Maslyk, EdD has more than two decades of experience in education. She has previously served as a teacher, reading specialist, elementary principal, and assistant superintendent.

Lisa May is an award-winning literacy coach at Kildeer Countryside School District 96, a Model PLC School District. With more than twenty years in the field of education, she has classroom experience ranging from kindergarten through fourth grade.

Mary Mazariegos has worked in a variety of education roles, including English teacher, instructional coach, ELL facilitator, secondary English curriculum coordinator, and principal. She was integral in the work at U.S. Grant High School in Oklahoma City.

Mario Miner, a native of Hamtramck, Michigan, has been in education for nearly 20 years. As a former working-class student, Mario strives to help his scholars see themselves and their lives in his classroom by building their capacity for literacy.

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.

With more than 30 years of experience in education, Tracy Nelson specializes in supporting districts, buildings, and teams in developing and implementing practices that bring clarity and focus to professional learning communities

Dr. Molly Ness is a former classroom teacher, a reading researcher, and a teacher educator. She spent 16 years as an associate professor of childhood education at Fordham University. Her research focuses on reading comprehension, teachers’ instructional decisions, and dyslexia.

Joanna Newton, PhD, is a professor of education at Notre Dame of Maryland University, where she specializes in literacy instruction. She has been an elementary classroom teacher, literacy coach, reading intervention specialist, and curriculum developer.