Special Needs

Hillary Woest is an instructional specialist at Pasadena Independent School District, a Model PLC at Work® district in Texas. With over 23 years of experience, she supports teachers and administrators in successfully implementing differentiated instruction in a PLC at Work.

Mandy Barrett, EdD, currently serves as an elementary school principal in northwest Arkansas. She has over 20 years of experience working in high-poverty schools and schools with large ESL populations.

Kimberly Salomonson provides coordination and professional development for state and district work in continuous quality improvement efforts. She served seven years as the director of pupil personnel services with the Sanger Unified School District.

Dr. Amy Williams is a program manager for California Education Partners. She has 24 years of experience in education as coordinator of inclusive services and supports, K-8 principal, special education program manager, school psychologist, and teacher.

Kristen Bordonaro, EdD, has served as a school and district level administrator for the last 12 years. Her knowledge and background in leading professional learning communities has allowed teams to truly understand their direct impact on student growth. She has spent the past few years working with districts to deepen understanding of general and special education.

Jane Pedersen, EdD, is the assistant director of educational services at Kildeer Countryside School District 96 in Illinois. She has previously served District 96 as an elementary school assistant principal and a school psychologist.

Amy Gluck is assistant superintendent of teaching and learning in Grayslake CCSD 46 in Illinois. Her work focuses on ensuring all students achieve high levels of learning.

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.

Brandon Jones, an author and consultant, works with educators to implement the Professional Learning Communities at Work® and RTI at Work™ processes. As a practitioner, he has served as a high school teacher and assistant principal, as well as a principal at the elementary, middle, and secondary level.

Heather Friziellie is currently superintendent of schools for Fox Lake Grade School District 114, located in the suburbs northwest of Chicago. She previously served as both an elementary principal and a middle school principal.