Authors & Presenters

Brad Neuendorf, principal of Lander Valley High School, led its recognition as a Model PLC at Work® school in 2019 and a 2020 DuFour Award Finalist, reflecting his commitment to student achievement and continuous school improvement.

Kim Nichols, EdD, is former assistant superintendent in Ringgold, Georgia. Under her leadership, Catoosa County Schools was named the first Model PLC District in Georgia and twelve schools have become Model PLCs.

Danieli Parker is director of innovation and instructional technology for Hallsville ISD in Texas. With more than 18 years of education experience, she has served as a classroom teacher, assistant principal, principal, and director.

Robert Payne is a recently retired educator, having served as principal and superintendent for elementary, middle, and high schools. He has presented to schools and administrator groups on transforming schools into professional learning communities.

Richard L. Pease has more than 30 years of experience as an education leader, serving as a teacher, coach, assistant principal, university professor, middle and high school principal, principal mentor, and district leader.

Barbara Phillips is an educational presenter and researcher from upstate New York with over 20 years of experience in public education. She specializes in effective instruction and leveraging teacher strengths to maximize student achievement and learning.

Joshua Ray, EdD, is principal at Greenwood High School in Arkansas. He has served as an administrator at the elementary, middle, and high school levels and is a passionate advocate for adult learning and educator well-being.

Bo Ryan is principal of the Ana Grace Academy of the Arts Elementary Magnet School in Bloomfield, Connecticut. He is passionate about building and sustaining professional learning communities (PLCs) and has led two different schools to Model PLC at Work® certification.

Faith Short is the principal at East Pointe Elementary. With 25 years of experience in education, she is fiercely passionate about the work of collaborative teams as a vehicle to ensure high levels of learning for every student. She specializes in helping leaders and teachers implement the PLC process to impact teaching and learning.

Susan K. Sparks has served as a teacher, staff developer, and executive director. Her areas of expertise include consensus building, decision making, contract negotiations, conflict resolution, strategic planning, and professional learning communities.