Authors & Presenters

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.

Dr. Sharroky Hollie is a national educator who provides professional development to thousands of educators in the area of cultural responsiveness. Since 2000, Dr. Hollie has trained over 150,000 educators and worked in nearly 2,000 classrooms.

Kelly Johnson, PhD, is a faculty member in teacher education at San Diego State University. She is also a classroom teacher at Health Sciences High and Middle College in San Diego.

Jaretha Jordan, EdD, is the chief academic officer for Duncanville Independent School District in Texas. With more than 20 years in education, she has served as a curriculum director, principal supervisor, professional development facilitator, administrator, and teacher.

Katie Stover Kelly, PhD, is an associate professor of education at Furman University in Greenville, South Carolina. A former elementary teacher and literacy coach, her research interests include teacher preparation and development in the areas of literacy instruction and assessment.

Analexis Kennedy, EdD, is a lecturer of reading at the University of Central Florida. She spent 15 years working with K–12 students, teachers, and administrators as a classroom teacher, literacy coach, district reading specialist, and professional development coordinator.

Gene M. Kerns, EdD, is a third-generation teacher with experience from elementary school to the university level, as well in K–12 administration. He has nearly 20 years of experience leading staff development.

Diane Lapp, EdD, is a distinguished professor of education at San Diego State University and an English teacher and literacy coach at Health Sciences High and Middle College.

Doug Lillydahl is director of communication arts at Adlai E. Stevenson High School in Illinois. He guides literacy interventions and ELA staff development, oversees assessment, and supports curricular and instructional evolution.

Ellen Linnihan is a National Board Certified English and public speaking teacher in Wisconsin. Her passion is using video to improve teaching and learning to empower students of all levels.