Authors & Presenters

Michael McDowell, EdD, is the superintendent of the Ross School District in California. A prolific author and presenter, Dr. McDowell is recognized as one of the leading authorities on integrating innovative and impactful practices into schools.

Jason McKenna is an established author, seasoned educator, and pioneering strategist in STEM education. Jason’s commitment to innovative learning has created lasting impacts in education over his expansive twenty-year journey.

Jay McTighe brings a wealth of experience developed during a rich and varied career in education. He served as director of the Maryland Assessment Consortium, a state collaboration of school districts working together to develop and share formative performance assessments.

Jeanetta Jones Miller has been an educator since 1986. Throughout her award-winning career, she has taught American studies, senior projects, and a variety of English courses, and served as department chair.

Barbara Moss, PhD, is a professor at San Diego State University, where she teaches courses at the credential and master’s levels. She has worked as a teacher at every grade level from 1 to 12 over the course of her career.

Dr. Molly Ness is a former classroom teacher, a reading researcher, and a teacher educator. She spent 16 years as an associate professor of childhood education at Fordham University. Her research focuses on reading comprehension, teachers’ instructional decisions, and dyslexia.

LeAnn Nickelsen, an author and a former teacher, is an expert on brain research strategies, best practices in literacy, and other high-impact tools that close and prevent gaps in high-poverty schools.

Dr. Pattie Noonan is an associate research professor at the University of Kansas, where she centers her work on providing and evaluating professional development related to social-emotional learning.

Sandi Novak, a consultant, has more than 30 years of experience in education and has served as an assistant superintendent, principal, and teacher.

Alana Oif Telesman, PhD, is the director of the First Education Experience Program at The Ohio State University. She is also a member of the Council for Exceptional Children and has been selected as a doctoral research scholar.