Authors & Presenters

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.

Michael J. Maffoni, an educator since 1987, has a diverse background that includes experience as a teacher, principal, and central administrator in a variety of districts in Colorado. He also teaches courses in educational leadership as an affiliate faculty member at Regis University.

Michelle Marrillia, an educator since 1996, has a diverse background as an educator and a passion for training coaches in professional learning communities, developing teacher leaders, implementing response to intervention systems, and creating doable coaching programs.

François Massé is a superintendent of education for several schools and has been working in collaboration with educators to transform the culture of these institutions into professional learning communities.

Mike Mattos is a globally recognized author and presenter who transforms schools through Response to Intervention (RTI) and Professional Learning Communities (PLCs). In 2024, Global Gurus named him one of the top 30 educational thought leaders worldwide.

Nathan Meyer, EdD, is an assistant superintendent for accelerated improvement for Jefferson County Public Schools in Louisville, Kentucky. Previously, he served as principal and assistant principal at the DuFour Award–winning Fern Creek High School.

Tammy Miller is the former director of education for the Monroe County Community School Corporation in Bloomington, Indiana. Under Tammy’s leadership, the district advanced from a state letter grade of D to an A.

Rebecca Nicolas, EdD, is the principal of Fern Creek High School in Louisville, Kentucky. Her work is focused on the implementation of the PLC process and the integration of collaborative teams.

Maria Nielsen, educational speaker and author, specializes in supporting teachers and administrators in the areas of PLCs, RTI, school culture, curriculum design, the highly engaged classroom, and assessment systems. Her life’s work is to help schools build successful systems to ensure high levels of student learning.

Jamie Nino is an area superintendent of Sanger Unified School District in California and oversees TK–12 school sites. She specializes in developing leaders at all levels, fostering strong learning cultures, and building fortified PLCs.