Authors & Presenters

Chris Hansen is director of curriculum in the Hortonville (Wisconsin) Area School District, assisting in the implementation and refinement of professional learning communities. He has served as a teacher, director of technology, and director of learning.

Jacqueline Heller focuses on building capacity and collective efficacy with teachers, to ensure all students learn at high levels. As a literacy teacher and coach at Mason Crest Elementary, she helped the school become the first National Model Professional Learning Community to receive the DuFour Award.

Russell Hill is superintendent of the East Valley School District. With more than 20 years of education experience, he has served as both teacher and administrator at the elementary, middle, and high school levels.

Karen Johnson is the coordinator of Language Acquisition for the Pleasanton Unified School District Pleasanton, California. She is passionate about the topics of equity, inclusion, and ensuring high levels of learning for all students.

Marsha Jones, EdD, is an executive director of curriculum and instruction at Pasadena Independent School District near Houston, Texas. Marsha was instrumental in a shift that led Pasadena ISD to become a Model PLC at Work® school district.

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.

John Jorgensen is a consultant and the former principal and director of learning and collaboration for Clinton Community School District, where he led the implementation of the PLC process and RTI support systems.

Janel Keating is superintendent of the White River School District in the state of Washington. She is a former elementary and middle school teacher, elementary principal, director of student learning, and deputy superintendent.

Jed Kees has been an educator for over 22 years, and a school-based administrator for 15 years. Jed has a passion for middle level education, and is currently the principal of Onalaska Middle School in Onalaska, Wisconsin.

Dennis King, EdD, has focused on school improvement throughout his career, first as a practicing school administrator and now as an educational presenter. His 28 years in education include teaching in an alternative school, an urban high school, and two suburban school districts where he also served as a district administrator.