Special Needs

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.

Jeanne Spiller is assistant superintendent for teaching and learning for Kildeer Countryside District 96 in Illinois. Her work focuses on implementation of the Common Core State Standards.

Julie A. Schmidt recently retired as superintendent of schools for Kildeer Countryside Community Consolidated School District 96 in Illinois. The district began its professional learning community (PLC) journey 22 years ago, and all seven schools have been recognized as Model PLC at Work® schools. Woodlawn Middle School in District 96 was the 2018 DuFour Award winner.

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.

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.

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.