Authors & Presenters

Julie A. Schmidt recently retired as superintendent of schools for Kildeer Countryside Community Consolidated School District 96 in Illinois. The district began its professional learning community (PLC) journey 22 years ago, and all seven schools have been recognized as Model PLC at Work® schools. Woodlawn Middle School in District 96 was the 2018 DuFour Award winner.

Kathryn E. Sheridan is the early literacy and language director for Kildeer Countryside Community SD 96 in Illinois. She has previously served as a teacher, instructional coach, middle school assistant principal, and elementary principal.

Cara Shores is coordinator of exceptional education in Bartow County Schools, a Model Professional Learning Communities at Work® district. She works with K–12 educators and students with IEPs, coordinates professional learning, oversees multitiered systems of supports, and is an instructional coach.

Dena D. Slanda, PhD, is a research associate in the College of Innovation and Education at the University of Central Florida. She is also a professor in residence for the Teacher Quality Partnership grant project, which emphasizes mathematics and disciplinary literacy for preservice teachers.

Jeanne Spiller is assistant superintendent for teaching and learning for Kildeer Countryside District 96 in Illinois. Her work focuses on implementation of the Common Core State Standards.

Aisha Thomas has been an educator for over 20 years, serving in all levels of school leadership at the middle school and elementary levels. She has helped lead two schools to receive the National Blue Ribbon Award.

Andrea Thompson is the principal of Shell Lake Middle/High School in Shell Lake, Wisconsin, and has previously served as a director of curriculum and instruction, district assessment coordinator, summer program coordinator, and gifted and talented coordinator.

Matthew Treadway, EdD, is the former principal of Freedom Elementary School in Shepherdsville, Kentucky, where he led his staff in developing a collaborative culture centered on the three big ideas of a professional learning community.

Michelle Wambach is an elementary principal in Southern Arizona, where she is a dedicated and visionary educational leader. She has served as a teacher, student achievement teacher, and administrator.

Karly Ward serves as principal of Rendezvous Elementary School in central Wyoming. With more than 14 years of experience, she specializes in visionary leadership, creating and maintaining a healthy school culture, and promoting system fidelity.