Authors & Presenters

Whitney K. Freije is an elementary school principal at A.F. Palmer Elementary, a Model PLC at Work® school in the Windsor Central School District, located in upstate New York. She specializes in empowering teachers with effective instructional practices to promote high levels of literacy and mathematics.

Nancy Frey, PhD, is a professor of literacy in the Department of Educational Leadership at San Diego State University. She is also a teacher leader at Health Sciences High and Middle College in San Diego.

Karen Gazith, PhD, is a faculty lecturer in the Department of Educational and Counselling Psychology at McGill University, where she also serves as the graduate program director for the Certificate of Inclusive Education and for the Office of First Nations and Inuit Education.

Kathy Tuchman Glass is an accomplished author, presenter, and former classroom teacher with more than twenty-five years of experience in education.

Sarah Gord is a reading specialist and literacy coach at Kildeer Countryside School District 96 in suburban Chicago. Her work focuses on the implementation of standards-aligned teaching and assessment practices.

Julie Graber, an education consultant, works with educators to implement effective teaching, learning, leading, and technology practices. Her areas of expertise include technology, authentic learning, curriculum design, and performance tasks and assessments.

Peg Grafwallner is an instructional coach and reading specialist at Ronald Reagan College Preparatory High School in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. With over 25 years of experience in the field of education, Peg has also served as an English teacher and an alternative education teacher.

Maria C. Grant, EdD, is a professor in secondary education at California State University, Fullerton. She has authored numerous publications centered on science literacy, formative assessment, and reading.

Gayle Gregory, a former teacher, has extensive experience as a staff developer and administrator. She has taught at the elementary, middle, and high school levels as well as in university settings.

Gavin Grift is a best-selling author and is founder and CEO of Grift Education. His passion, commitment, humor, and highly engaging style have made him one of Australia’s most in-demand PLC presenters. His leadership in the education industry fueled the development of PLC networks across Australia and culminated in the establishment of the Centre for Professional Learning Communities, a cohort informed by the work and legacies of Richard and Rebecca DuFour.