Authors & Presenters

Kimberly Rodriguez Cano, an experienced consultant, is a former coordinator for special education, director of professional development, and school improvement specialist for the Florida Department of Education, supporting educators in three counties.

Charlie Coleman has been a principal at the high school, middle school, and elementary school levels in ethnically and socioeconomically diverse communities.

Luis F. Cruz, PhD, is former principal of Baldwin Park High School, located east of Los Angeles, California. He has been a teacher and administrator at the elementary, middle, and high school levels.

Joe Cuddemi, a consultant, has over 30 years of experience in education. He has served as a teacher, counselor, and principal in a wide variety of educational settings, including adjunct professor at Colorado State University.

Scott A. Cunningham is principal of Orange Middle School (Olentangy Local School District) in Ohio. He has over 23 years of experience in education as a principal, assistant principal, and teacher.

Matt Devan is director of school support and improvement for Montgomery County Public Schools in Maryland. He provides guidance and feedback to schools as they develop professional learning communities.

Michelle Dillard is an assistant superintendent for Jefferson County Public Schools in Louisville, Kentucky, where she oversees two high schools, three middle schools, fifteen elementary schools, and three Success Pathways schools.

Reuben J. Gresham, PhD, is an assistant superintendent for school improvement and operations with Gwinnett County Public Schools. He was a national award-winning high school principal, assistant principal, teacher, and coach.

Tom Hierck has been an educator since 1983 in a career that has spanned all grade levels. He has been a teacher, an administrator, a district leader, a department of education project leader, and an executive director.

Shawn Hurt is principal of Inkster Preparatory Academy in Michigan. As a school turnaround specialist, he has a laser focus on student achievement and transforming school culture.