Professional Learning Communities

Dustin Hunt is the superintendent of Hot Springs County School District #1 in Wyoming. He specializes in the professional learning communities process from the district perspective, which includes the school board.

Racheal Branch serves as the principal of Huntsville Intermediate in Huntsville, Texas. She has worked to create a culture of collaboration by embedding the professional learning communities process to grow student performance and build teacher capacity.

Amanda Hathhorn, district math specialist and mentor for the Aspiring Instructional Coaching Academy at Pasadena ISD, has over 20 years of experience in education. Notably, she played a pivotal role in successfully implementing the Professional Learning Communities (PLC) at Work® process and subsequently earning a Model PLC at Work school distinction at V. W. Miller Intermediate.

Cathy Padilla has served as an elementary education teacher, assistant principal, and principal at the intermediate and elementary levels. She specializes in developing and supporting leaders in professional learning communities, family engagement, categorical programs, migrant education, and English language development.

Sarah Hays, a seasoned educator with 30 years of experience, currently serves as the PLC Administrative Coach for the Bozeman School District. Sarah served as the principal of Emily Dickinson Elementary School in Bozeman, MT. She has also held various educational roles, including high school assistant principal, district curriculum director, and high school English and math teacher.

Kyle is the principal of Powell Middle School in Powell, Wyoming. Prior to administration, he was an elementary teacher where he developed the passion for professional learning communities and the power behind building a strong culture and teamwork in a school.

John Gaskell is a science educator with over 20 years of classroom, leadership, and professional learning community implementation experience nationally and internationally, having spent the past 12 years in Singapore.

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.

Nathaniel Provencio is associate superintendent in Prince William County, Virginia. Under his leadership, Minnieville Elementary School was recognized as a Model Professional Learning Community and was the 2019 winner of the prestigious DuFour Award.

Josh McMahon, EdD, is the assistant superintendent of education programs for Morton District 201 in Illinois. Previously, he served as principal of Morton West High School.