Our Team

Kim Perron brings a wealth of experience to her role as President and Owner of SchoolWorks. She embarked on her educational journey as a high school teacher, navigating the challenges of teaching from a wheeled cart in a multi-story school. Her subsequent roles broadened her scope, delving into leadership and policy intersections. She later oversaw charter school applications at the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and served as the Associate Vice President of the State University of New York’s Charter Schools Institute (SUNY). At SUNY, Kim led the refinement of charter renewal policies and procedures and authored essential resources for charter school leaders. She also contributed to policy briefs for the National Association of Charter School Authorizers, participating as a reviewer for various charter application cycles nationwide.

When Kim joined SchoolWorks as Director of Project Management, she honed her focus on aligning client needs with strategic outcomes. Her collaborative efforts birthed the SchoolWorks Quality Criteria, guiding the organization's work to enhance school improvement efforts.

As SchoolWorks President since 2012, Kim is dedicated to improving educational outcomes, a commitment reflected in her leadership. She holds an M.Ed. from Harvard University, and an M.A. and B.A. in Spanish Language and Literature from Simmons University.

As Managing Director of Quality Reviews at SchoolWorks, Jay leads the company’s Quality Review service area, ensuring the integrity and impact of the school evaluation processes. She oversees the onboarding and training of review team members, continuously refining protocols to align with best practices in school improvement. With a commitment to driving comprehensive school improvement, Jay has led numerous School Quality Reviews nationwide, working with institutions such as Baystate Charter Academy Public School, New Heights Academy, and Merrick Academy Charter School. She brings a wealth of experience in school operations, leadership, and instructional support, ensuring that each review provides actionable insights that promote student success. Before joining SchoolWorks, Jay held leadership roles in multiple school districts. As an Operations Manager at Metro Nashville Public Schools, she led a team focused on enhancing academic performance and fostering student responsibility. Prior to that, she served in Administration & Supervision at Williamson County Schools, where she oversaw curriculum and technology implementation initiatives. She also played a key role in an urban school district in Nashville, supporting educator training, curriculum development, and operational guidelines. Jay holds a B.S. in Biology and an M.Ed. in Administration and Supervision from Tennessee State University.

Lyn Bajaj is a consultant for SchoolWorks. She specializes in organizational development, school improvement, and equity initiatives. Currently a Site Professor at the University of Colorado at Denver, she also consults for the Colorado State Board of Education, conducting quality reviews and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion assessments nationwide. Committed to community service, Lyn serves on a local nonprofit board supporting immigrant youth and families. Recognized for her contributions, including a Fulbright Educator Scholar selection, Lyn delivers keynote addresses on educational equity at national forums. With extensive experience in leadership roles across Colorado, Lyn has notably served as Turnaround Principal at Eugene Field Elementary School and Alice Terry Elementary School, leading successful academic and cultural improvement efforts. She holds executive education certificates from Harvard Law School and the University of Virginia's Darden School of Business, along with an M.A. in Educational Leadership from the University of Phoenix at Denver. Lyn’s expertise includes systems thinking, change management, and innovative solutions to enduring systemic problems in education.

Stephanie Bignault is the Special Projects and Marketing Coordinator at SchoolWorks, where she supports marketing, communications, online course creation, and new business development. She plays a key role in strategic projects, using her background in theatre and film to shape SchoolWorks' narratives on the impact of student learning, supported by data from SchoolWorks' engagements.

Prior to joining SchoolWorks, Stephanie served as Partner Marketing Manager at WhoHaha, a platform dedicated to elevating women and gender-expansive creators in comedy and entertainment. Her passion for amplifying historically excluded voices aligns with SchoolWorks' mission to advance opportunities for students and foster equitable learning environments.

With over a decade of experience in theatre and film, including acting, commercial production, and freelance short film production, Stephanie's journey led her to embrace the transformative power of education. Stephanie holds an M.F.A. in Theatre Arts from the University of Arkansas and a B.A. in Theatre and English from Piedmont University. 

David E. Brown serves as a Leadership Consultant for the Coastal Regional Assistance Team in the Massachusetts DESE Statewide System of Support, an ongoing contract managed by SchoolWorks. With over 30 years of experience in education, David has held various roles including consultant, teacher, dean of students, assistant principal, and principal.

Throughout his career, David has been guided by his core educational belief, emphasizing the activation of imagination and the path towards liberation in education. He has successfully led K-12 Massachusetts schools in Boston, Charleston, Randolph, and Somerville through academic, systemic, and cultural change.

David's journey in education began as an Instructor at Thompson Island Outward Bound Education Center before transitioning to a teaching role in the Boston Public Schools. He holds a B.A. from Eastern Nazarene College and an M.A. from Cambridge College. Currently, David is pursuing his Doctorate at the University of Massachusetts at Boston.

In addition to his professional endeavors, David is an active member of his community in Plymouth, MA, serving on the board of the Plymouth Center for the Arts and as a Trustee and Music Director of the Historic Bethel AME Church. He also contributes as a guest columnist for the local paper, The Old Colony Memorial.

Nicole Cole is a consultant with SchoolWorks. She recently served as the Manager of School Quality and Evaluation at the DC Public Charter School Board as the sole authorizer of charter schools in Washington, D.C. As manager, Nicole led the Qualitative Site Review (QSR) process for schools undergoing high-stakes charter review or renewal. Nicole is certified in the Charlotte Danielson Framework for Teaching and Teachstone CLASS infant, toddler, and preschool tools. Prior to this role, Nicole was a Teaching and Learning Specialist at Appletree Institute for Education Innovation, a non-profit working to close the achievement gap before kindergarten. Nicole is an appointed member of the State Early Childhood Coordinating Committee (SECDCC) in Washington, DC. She began her career teaching pre-kindergarten in southeast Washington, D.C., and she taught preschool and served as a school administrator and instructional coach at area charter schools. Nicole holds a B.A. in Public Relations from Howard University and an M.A. in Teaching from American University.

Betty Dao-Ivey currently serves as the Managing Director of Leadership Supports at SchoolWorks, where she leads strategic planning and leadership coaching initiatives for state departments, districts, and school leaders nationwide.

Betty provides high-quality professional development and coaching support to school leaders nationwide. In this role, Betty collaborates with school leaders to develop data-informed action plans and oversees successful plan implementation.

Prior to her current position, Betty worked extensively with traditional districts and charter authorizers across the country, including engagements with the Alabama State Department of Education, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, and Chicago Public Schools. She has also led professional development workshops for new principal leaders in partnership with the KIPP Foundation, supporting over 150 rising school leaders through needs assessment, action plan development, and implementation monitoring.

Betty's career in education includes serving as a Teach for America teacher in Baltimore City Public Schools, an instructional coach in District of Columbia Public Schools, and a Principal-in-Residence for Achievement First in New York. She holds a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Maryland- College Park, a M.A. in Teaching from Johns Hopkins University, and while serving as a resident principal at a Massachusetts elementary school, she earned a Ed.M. in School Leadership from Harvard University.

As a consultant and project manager with SchoolWorks, Michelle has supported a variety of school improvement efforts through her work with state agencies, districts, and schools. She has spearheaded SchoolWorks’ partnerships with the Chelsea Public Schools, Cleveland Metropolitan School District, the Ohio Department of Education, the Indiana Department of Education, the Maryland State Department of Education, the Minnesota Department of Education, and the Tennessee Public Charter School Commission, among others. She also serves as one of the co-instructors in SchoolWorks’ Charter Application Writing Bootcamp. Prior to joining SchoolWorks, Michelle served as the Director of School Development Programs for the Tennessee Charter School Center, where she recruited and supported experienced school leaders in developing, applying for, and opening charter schools in Nashville and Memphis. In this role, she also designed, executed, managed, and evaluated school programs and provided charter application development services. Michelle holds a Bachelor of Music degree from Eastman School of Music, a Master of Music degree from the University of Michigan, and a Master of Education degree from Vanderbilt University.

Michelle Drumm is the Project Coordinator at SchoolWorks. She provides ongoing support for all SchoolWorks staff and consultants to maintain the company’s standards of quality, efficiency, and excellence across all engagements.

Michelle brings more than 15 years of legal administrative experience to SchoolWorks with her last ten plus years spent working in a paralegal capacity within the wind energy and bio-pharmaceutical technology sectors. She holds a B.A. in Liberal Arts from Salve Regina College Newport, Rhode Island, and a certification in Paralegal Studies from Colorado State University, Pueblo, Colorado. She is also a Notary Public in the State of Massachusetts.

Chad is a seasoned education leader with extensive experience in school management, district leadership, and youth engagement. Most recently, as an independent consultant for The Dalio Foundation, Chad led the planning and implementation of The Connecticut Opportunity Project, a statewide initiative supporting organizations dedicated to re-engaging disconnected youth. Previously, as Executive Director of Citizens of the World Charter Schools New York, he managed the principals of two Brooklyn schools and a regional support team, ensuring alignment with both the national CWCS network and the NYC board of trustees. Earlier in his career, Chad served as Chief Academic Officer for New York City Department of Education, District 79, overseeing programmatic teams supporting academic instruction, student services, career and technical education, English language learners, and special education. Before that, he held leadership roles at District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS), first as an Instructional Superintendent, managing alternative schools serving incarcerated youth and over-aged, under-credited students, and later as Deputy Chief of Youth Engagement, where he led district-wide attendance, truancy, student behavior, and health and wellness initiatives for over 120 schools. Chad is a Broad Foundation Fellow for Education Leaders and holds an MA in Education Administration from Teachers College, Columbia University, and an AB in Psychology from The University of Chicago.

Sarah Gallagher is a consultant with SchoolWorks, bringing a unique perspective to her work through extensive experience in both educational research and practice. She began her career as a math and science teacher for grades 6-8, where she developed a strong instructional foundation. At the University of Michigan, she deepened her expertise by researching teacher practices related to student achievement and motivation, particularly in urban and project-based learning contexts.  Sarah has since leveraged her classroom experience and research in instructional practices, along with her data-driven leadership approach, in various roles including instructional coach at Teach For America, charter school principal, district superintendent, and a charter network Chief Academic Officer and CEO. Her approach to vision setting, informed by the design thinking process, and her leadership development in school systems have driven successful school turnaround efforts, earning national recognition for innovative education transformation in the 21st century.  Currently, Sarah supports schools, districts, and authorizers with holistic strategic planning and evaluation in academic, operational, financial, and governance matters. She also provides individual and small-group leadership coaching and development support. Sarah holds a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Notre Dame, an M.Ed. from Providence College, an M.S. from the Combined Program in Education and Psychology at the University of Michigan, and more recently, an M.B.A. from the University of Notre Dame.

From running shoes to running SchoolWorks’ business operations, Deb George’s accounting career spans nearly two decades, including a stint as a senior accountant at Converse. But her impact at SchoolWorks as the Financial Operations Director extends far beyond the ledger.

Deb helps manage SchoolWorks’ project management system, tracking work in progress and ensuring everything stays on time. She also assists with human resources and related functions, and she credits her colleagues for their passion and professionalism. She holds a B.S. from Merrimack College and an MBA from Salem State University.

Paige is an experienced project manager with expertise in school accountability, program evaluation, data-driven instruction, and school improvement planning. On behalf of SchoolWorks, Paige has served as the project manager for the Rhode Island Department of Education, focusing on charter school renewal processes and new school application reviews. She also managed authorizer support, policy development, and site visits for Rockford Public School District, Illinois. Paige has extensive experience in both public and charter school settings, having served as the Manager of School Effectiveness Reviews for Baltimore City Public Schools, where she also supported a network of principals in the district's School Support Networks. Earlier in her career, Paige taught grades K-6 in various educational settings, including traditional, charter, and non-public schools. She also facilitated online courses on Effective Practices in Teaching and Learning as an adjunct professor for The Johns Hopkins University. Paige holds a Master of Science in Education from Johns Hopkins University and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from The University of Kansas.

Kristin is a seasoned project manager and consultant with extensive expertise in accountability, and leadership coaching. On behalf of SchoolWorks, Kristin has worked across a variety of roles, coordinating site visits, leading professional development initiatives, managing leadership coaching programs, and supporting the development of charter school applications. Kristin holds certifications as a teacher, principal, and superintendent. She is also a professional leadership coach certified by the International Coaching Federation. Prior to joining SchoolWorks, Kristin served as the Executive Director of Christa McAuliffe Charter School in Framingham, Massachusetts. Earlier in her career, Kristin taught math and science to middle school students and led an academic program for a summer residential treatment program at Wediko Children’s Services. She holds a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies in Educational Leadership from Simmons University, a Master of Arts in Teaching (Mathematics) from Simmons University, and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology & English from Amherst College.

Dr. Biaze Houston is a consultant with SchoolWorks. She currently serves as Chief of District Support for the University of Virginia Partnership for Leaders in Education, where she works with districts across the country in their efforts to transform their systems and conditions to create better outcomes for students. She has served in school-and-district-level leadership roles as Director of Assessment Literacy and Instruction, leading the district’s curriculum, instruction, and assessment strategy and implementing district-wide Data Driven Instruction (DDI) days to bring all licensed and classified staff across the organization together to evaluate data and develop action plans to address student learning and social-emotional needs and outcomes. As a middle school turnaround Principal of a Title I school she led off the State accountability clock to the State’s highest performance rating and recognition as a center of excellence; and as a high school and 6th-to-12th grade Assistant Principal. Biaze began her career teaching high school English in Houston, Texas as part of Teach For America and made her way back to her home of Colorado to continue teaching and serving the Denver and Aurora communities. Biaze holds a Ph.D. from the University of Denver in curriculum and instruction, an M.A. from the University of Phoenix in Teaching and Learning, and a B.A. in English with a concentration in Creative Writing from Colorado State University.

Elenita Irizarry-Ramos currently serves as a Senior Strategist for Multilingual Learning and Dual Language Education in the Massachusetts DESE Statewide System of Support, an ongoing contract managed by SchoolWorks. With over a decade of experience in teaching language learners in multilingual environments, Elenita is dedicated to ensuring equitable and inclusive Bilingual Education and Dual Language programs.

Prior to her current role, Elenita held various positions in academia, including Visiting Scholar at Indiana University-Bloomington, Assistant Professor at the University of Puerto Rico–Rio Piedras, and Lecturer at UMass Amherst’s Bilingual and Dual Language Education Graduate Certificate program. She also served as the WMass Bilingual Hub Coordinator, supporting public Dual Language Schools in Massachusetts.

Elenita's research focuses on topics such as resilience among Puerto Rican English teachers after Hurricane María and trauma-informed teaching practices in post-pandemic education. She began her career teaching High School English Language Arts in English immersion schools in Puerto Rico and has since worked as an educator, public speaker, and consultant for College Board. Elenita holds a Ph.D. in Curriculum in Teaching from the University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras, an M.A. in English Education, and a B.A. in Biology from the University of Puerto Rico-Mayagüez.

Calvin Johnson serves as a Leadership Consultant for the Coastal Regional Assistance Team in the Massachusetts DESE Statewide System of Support, an ongoing contract managed by SchoolWorks. In this role, he collaborates with districts to drive systemic improvements aimed at supporting student success.

Prior to his current position, Calvin held various leadership roles at Phoenix Charter Academy in Springfield, MA, including Head of School, Assistant Head of School, and Director of Operations. He successfully managed the school through multiple DESE renewals, ensuring continuous operation and student opportunity. Notably, Calvin established two successful “school within a school” programs: the Extended Day Evening Support program, offering flexible learning for students facing educational barriers, and the Young Men’s Program, which fostered an engaging environment for at-risk male students.

Calvin is dedicated to equity work and experiential learning, which he believes can empower students from diverse backgrounds. He has implemented initiatives that enhance student engagement and academic outcomes, alongside efforts to recruit and retain diverse staff to create inclusive educational environments.

Calvin holds a J.D. from Boston College Law School and a B.A. from La Salle University.

Nicole Sherrin Kessler is an accomplished education leader with expertise in principal and leadership team coaching, data-driven instruction, and school scheduling. With over 20 years of experience in school administration across urban and suburban settings, charter and district schools, and a Board of Education, she has a proven track record of driving academic improvement. At SchoolWorks, she has led multi-year improvement partnerships with Odyssey Community School and The Bridge Academy. Nicole also serves as a consultant for NWEA, delivering professional development on data-driven instruction nationwide. Previously, she was an Assistant Superintendent at KIPP New Jersey, where she coached principals and oversaw schools serving grades K-12. She also held leadership roles as Director of Academic Innovation at KIPP New Jersey, Principal and Assistant Principal at Madison Junior School, and Assistant Principal in DC Public Schools. A former Teach For America mathematics teacher, she was recognized as the National Teacher of the Year in 2001 for significantly improving student achievement. Nicole holds an M.S. in Educational Administration from Trinity University, has completed extensive coursework in Public Policy at Georgetown University, and earned a B.A. in Psychology from Boston College. She is a certified Principal and Superintendent in New Jersey and continues to support school leaders in achieving excellence through her consulting work.

Stephanie Kimber Cayer serves as a Leadership Consultant for the Coastal Regional Assistance Team in the Massachusetts DESE Statewide System of Support, an ongoing contract managed by SchoolWorks. Stephanie has served as an Assistant Principal in Fitchburg Public Schools and partnered at the district level with organizations driven to promote equity and inclusion. 

As a school leader, Stephanie was an active member of the administrative team who focused on high expectations and breaking barriers which ultimately led the school out of the bottom percentile. She oversaw various departments including English, ESL, and History where she supported educators to provide culturally responsive curriculum and high-quality teaching. In this role, Stephanie also examined and changed school policies to create equitable outcomes.

At the district level, Stephanie led the core driving group to recruit and retain diverse staff throughout the district. Through this work, the team worked to establish affinity groups to enhance a culture of welcoming and belonging for diverse faculty and staff. 

Prior to being a high school administrator, Stephanie taught English at the middle school and high school levels. She holds a B.A. in English from St. John’s University and a J.D. from the University of Maine School of Law.

Kathryn Koerner serves as the Director of School Developer Supports, overseeing SchoolWorks’ services related to charter school application development, including applications for new starts, replications, expansions, renewals, and Charter School Program funds; school founder coaching; and governance training to build charter school Board capacity. Kathryn brings extensive experience to her role – she has written numerous successful charter school applications, coached multiple school founders, and facilitated a range of trainings to charter school Boards. 

Kathryn also serves as a project manager for SchoolWorks and has managed an array of complex projects on behalf of state departments, charter authorizers, school districts, networks, incubators, and foundations across the country, including managing the implementation of formative and accountability site visits and charter application reviews, among others. 

Prior to working with SchoolWorks, Kathryn managed the development and revision of curriculum and curricular resources for the Virginia Department of Education. She began her career in education as a high school English teacher and worked in high schools in instructional and leadership roles. She holds a B.A. in English and Linguistics from Northeastern University. 

Nadia Lofton is a skilled recruiting and staffing specialist with expertise in full-cycle recruitment, particularly within the education sector. At SchoolWorks, she serves as the Director of Talent Recruitment, sourcing and screening candidates, organizing interviews, and guiding candidates through the hiring process. On behalf of SchoolWorks, she manages recruitment efforts for clients including the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and the Colorado Department of Education, overseeing staffing for key education initiatives. Previously, as a Senior Recruitment Specialist for the School District of Philadelphia, Nadia played a pivotal role in hiring school leaders, exceeding recruitment goals during the pandemic by filling over 250 school leadership positions. Her background also includes recruitment roles at Bernstein Private Wealth Management and Dore Partnership, where she streamlined hiring processes and improved candidate engagement. Nadia holds a B.A. in Political Science from Hofstra University and continues to leverage her expertise to connect top talent with impactful roles in education.

Grace Lugo serves as a Leadership Consultant for the Coastal Regional Assistance Team in the Massachusetts DESE Statewide System of Support, an ongoing contract managed by SchoolWorks. In this capacity, she collaborates with districts to facilitate systemic improvements aimed at enhancing student achievement and educational equity.

Before her current role, Grace began her career in education as a New Jersey TFA Corp member in Passaic Public Schools. She later transitioned to become an Elementary and Middle School Science Instructional Coach in New Brunswick Public Schools, NJ. Here, she implemented reflective coaching practices to support teachers in adopting NGSS-aligned instructional materials and culturally responsive teaching strategies. Grace also coordinated district-wide three-dimensional assessment initiatives and developed Problem-Based Learning curricula for summer enrichment programs.

Grace holds a B.S. in Biology and Secondary Education from The College of New Jersey and is currently pursuing a M.Ed in Educational Leadership.

Llama Maynard serves as a Leadership Consultant for the Coastal Regional Assistance Team in the Massachusetts Statewide System of Support, an ongoing contract managed by SchoolWorks. In this role, Llama engages in systems-thinking in support of the team’s collective efforts to partner with districts.

Over the past 15 years, Llama has been a middle school science teacher, served as professional development provider for State and national science education associations, worked as a school designer in a national nonprofit school reform organization, and held an administrative leadership role in a Massachusetts public charter school. In addition to her strong roots in K-12 science education, she has experience and passion for implementation of standards-based grading, project-based learning, and student-engaged assessment practices. She hold an M.A. in Educational Studies: Science Education from Tufts University and a B.A. in English Literature from Wheaton College. 

Anthony Ortiz is the Senior Strategist for the Office of Effective Partnerships and Impact within the Massachusetts DESE Statewide System of Support, an ongoing contract managed by SchoolWorks. In this role, he showcases significant leadership in education and community engagement. Previously, Anthony served as the Manager of Wraparound Services for Framingham Public Schools, contributing to its inception and holding various key roles within the district. His background includes chairing committees, managing after-school programs, and advocating for equity and community engagement. Before his tenure at Framingham Public Schools, Anthony worked in admissions for higher education and as a municipal worker for the City of Worcester. He also managed an after-school program for middle school students in Worcester. Anthony holds a B.A. in Communication and Spanish from Worcester State University and an M.A. in Community Development and Planning from Clark University.

Michelle Pieroni is the Director of Operations for SchoolWorks. Prior to joining SchoolWorks, she was an office manager and legal assistant for the managing partner in a law firm. As SchoolWorks’ Director of Operations, Pieroni evaluates, designs, executes, monitors, and controls business processes.  She works with the President, Vice President of Project Oversight, Financial Operations Director, and Managing Directors to ensure that business process outcomes are in harmony with SchoolWorks’ strategic goals.  Pieroni graduated from Salem State College in 1993 with a B.S. in Business Administration and a minor in English.

Pamela Plumer serves as a Leadership Consultant for the Coastal Regional Assistance Team in the Massachusetts DESE Statewide System of Support, an ongoing contract managed by SchoolWorks. Pam has held various educational roles throughout public schools in Massachusetts. Most recently, Pam has been the Director of Student Services for the Northampton Public Schools, where she was responsible for overseeing special education, English learner education, early childhood, and homeless and foster student supports for over 700 students in grades PK-12+. Pam received her Ph.D. in School Psychology from UMass Amherst, where she focused on the Response to Intervention model as well as interventions for students with ADHD, executive functioning difficulties, and learning. She was a school psychologist in the Pittsfield, Amherst, and Northampton public schools before becoming an Associate Director of Student Services for NPS in 2012. She has a passion for supporting educators in creating environments that include effective, evidence-based practices with a priority of providing meaningful, engaging, and accessible learning for all students. Pam is also active in community/youth theatre and athletic recreation in the Pioneer Valley.

With a rich background in educational leadership and school improvement, Amy also has specialized expertise in supporting English language learners (ELLs) and multi-lingual learners (MLLs). At SchoolWorks, she manages the company’s ongoing partnership with the Colorado Department of Education focused on school accountability, and has supported the company’s multi-year partnership with Providence Public Schools focused on school redesign. Beyond her role at SchoolWorks, Amy actively collaborates with the SUNY Charter School Institute and mentors pre-service and in-service educators through the Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) K-12 Program and the Peace Corps Jaffe Fellows Program at Teachers College, Columbia University. Prior to joining SchoolWorks, Amy founded and led two K-8 English as a New Language programs, driving significant academic progress. She has held leadership roles in charter school networks in Harlem and Brooklyn, where she developed English language programs and built leadership capacity. With teaching experience in Boston, New York, Italy, and China, Amy brings a global perspective to her work. She holds a B.A. from Skidmore College and an M.A. in TESOL from Teachers College, Columbia University.

As the Director of Client Services for SchoolWorks, Sarah works to ensure client satisfaction and proactively anticipates and addresses clients’ service needs. Sarah maintains open lines of communication with clients, assesses their needs, offers new or additional services to complement the services currently provided, and helps activate SchoolWorks’ systems to ensure that each client achieves established goals.

In her prior role as SchoolWorks' Managing Director of School Developer Supports, Sarah oversaw the development of charter school applications and renewals, leveraging her background as a college writing instructor and her academic studies in English and Literature to articulate each school's vision effectively. Her expertise extends to accountability, including the review of charter applications for Chicago Public Schools and the Louisiana Department of Education. Before joining SchoolWorks, Sarah served as the business development coordinator at the National Heritage Academies, where she managed charter application processes and expansion into new states.

With a B.A. in English Language and Literature and a M.A. in English from Grand Valley State University, Sarah combines her educational background with practical experience to drive positive change in the charter and district school landscape.

Nina Samuelson serves as a Leadership Consultant for the Coastal Regional Assistance Team in the Massachusetts DESE Statewide System of Support, an ongoing contract managed by SchoolWorks. She has worked in K-12 public education in various capacities – most recently with Excel Academy Charter Schools, a charter network serving students in East Boston and Chelsea, Massachusetts.

Nina has held several leadership roles at Excel, including leading school operations at Excel Academy East Boston, the flagship middle school campus, and serving as Head of School at the Excel Academy Orient Heights/Greenway middle school campus. In her capacity as Head of School, Nina set and executed a student-centered academic vision and strategy for the school, while working in collaboration with peer schools to drive a comprehensive, rigorous, and inclusive 5-12 program.

Prior to joining the Excel team, Nina worked as a teacher and teacher leader with the New York City Public Schools. She is a certified secondary English teacher and served as a high school English Department Head. Nina is a Teach For America alum, holds an M.S. in Education from Lehman College of the Bronx, and holds a B.A. in English Literature from Princeton University.

Jennifer Scott serves as a Leadership Consultant for the Coastal Regional Assistance Team in the Massachusetts DESE Statewide System of Support, an ongoing contract managed by SchoolWorks. With over a decade of experience in instructional and educational leadership, Jennifer previously served as an Assistant Principal and Instructional Coach in Massachusetts.

In her recent role at Fitchburg High School, Jennifer prioritized equity, opportunity, and access. She led impactful data analysis, revealing disparities influenced by race, gender, and socio-economic status. Jennifer played a crucial role in the NEASC accreditation process, garnering commendations. As lead for curriculum and instruction, she spearheaded a comprehensive overhaul to ensure a rigorous educational experience for all students, enhancing access to college coursework and expanding the Early College program.

Jennifer also collaborated with Fitchburg State University and the city to establish a Future Teacher Academy, offering underrepresented students free college courses, priority admission to FSU, and a promissory note of employment with Fitchburg Public Schools upon graduation. Jennifer began her career teaching high school English and Theater Arts. She holds a B.A. in Classical Humanities from Providence College and completed a fellowship in Educational Leadership with the Lynch School of Education, Boston College.

Hillary Smith-Maddern serves as a Leadership Consultant for the Coastal Regional Assistance Team in the Massachusetts DESE Statewide System of Support, an ongoing contract managed by SchoolWorks. She has served as an instructional coach and department head in two charter schools committed to improving educational outcomes for Springfield, MA students.

As an inaugural teacher at Veritas Prep Charter School, she served on teams responsible for the development of anti-racist curriculum and instructional practices. It was there she developed her passion for curriculum design. She began her career as a classroom aide in Western Massachusetts, where she provided services to high-need students before becoming a middle school ELA teacher. Although she has spent most of her career in Western Massachusetts, she has also served as a literacy and writing instructor in both China and Turkey, and her enthusiasm for culture and travel is evident in all her work. She holds a B.A. in American Studies from Smith College and a M.A. in Curriculum and Instruction from Fitchburg State University.

Dr. Sean Larry Stevens is a consultant specializing in turnaround school transformation, leadership development, and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) training. With expertise in culturally relevant pedagogy and antiracism training, he equips educators and leaders with the tools to foster equitable and high-performing learning environments. At SchoolWorks, Dr. Stevens facilitated the Advancing Equity Cohort leadership training program (2023), supporting school leaders in driving meaningful change. Previously, he served as Chief Academic Officer for KIPP Schools, where he established the academic vision and curriculum design for a K-12 network serving over 3,000 students. He also held roles as Head of Schools and Principal Coach within the KIPP network, successfully transforming the lowest-performing KIPP high school into one ranked in the 88th percentile nationally while training and coaching multiple school leaders. Dr. Stevens also led the highest-performing middle school in the Success Academies network and designed school structures, curricula, and professional development for multiple New York City public schools through Teach for America. He holds an Ed.D. in Leadership and Learning in Organizations from Vanderbilt University, an M.A. in Education Leadership, Politics, and Advocacy from New York University, and a B.A. in Pre-Med with a concentration in Education from Cornell University.

Jennifer Strock serves as the Vice President of Business Development at SchoolWorks, where she leads efforts to expand partnerships and meet the diverse needs of clients. Prior to joining SchoolWorks, Jennifer gained extensive experience in media marketing and business development as the Marketing Director and Associate Publisher of Marketing for SHAPE magazine. However, it was her role as Executive Director for Girls on the Run of Berks County, PA, an afterschool fitness program, that ignited her passion for education, exposing her to the varied educational landscapes within her community.

She holds a M.S. in Digital Marketing from Fox School of Business, Temple University and a B.A. in English and American Literature from Brown University.

Tony Sutton is a seasoned education leader with deep expertise in school leadership, school turnaround, and talent acquisition, development, and retention. With leadership roles in multiple high-performing schools, he has successfully driven transformative initiatives that enhance student achievement, strengthen school culture, and expand educational opportunities. At SchoolWorks, Tony has provided coaching support to several schools within Denver Public Schools, leveraging his extensive experience in leadership development and school improvement. Previously, as Principal of DRW College Prep, he managed a team of eight school leaders overseeing 45 staff members and designed a comprehensive mental health initiative in collaboration with leading organizations. As Chief Academic Officer and Principal at Rowe Elementary School, Tony led strategic initiatives, including restructuring the school into two campuses, implementing research-based discipline policies centered on trauma and equity. His impact also extends to founding leadership roles at DC Prep, where he played a pivotal role in launching a new school and building a high-performing, achievement-oriented culture. Tony holds a B.A. in Sociology from Hampton University. His leadership philosophy is rooted in fostering equity-driven, student-centered learning environments while building and developing high-performing school teams.

Danny Suriel serves as a Leadership Consultant for the Coastal Regional Assistance Team in the Massachusetts DESE Statewide System of Support, an ongoing contract managed by SchoolWorks. He has served in leadership roles in both a school turnaround network and Lawrence Public Schools, as the Director of Equity and Partnerships for UP Education Network, and Assistant Principal at UP Academy Leonard Middle School.

As a school leader, Danny was a member of the team that led a school placed in State takeover for chronic underperformance to “Level One Status.” He developed and managed a school culture system rooted in common values with the local community and teacher training models that contributed to a decrease in exclusions, coupled with district-wide ELA and Math MCAS scores that outperformed other schools.

More recently, Danny has provided guidance for school personnel and codified best practices around strengthening school-family and community partnerships in Dorchester, South Boston, and Lawrence. He led and facilitated ALANA affinity groups and provided guidance for staff with diverse identity markers to lead affinity groups in their respective schools. He holds a dual B.A. in Psychology and History from the University of Massachusetts.

Lauren Venuti is an Instructional Leadership Coach in the Massachusetts DESE Statewide System of Support, an ongoing contract managed by SchoolWorks. Most recently, she served as an Assistant Principal for Curriculum and Instruction at UP Academy Leonard Middle School. In this role, Lauren provided instructional coaching for the school’s humanities teachers and was responsible for designing and implementing professional development, facilitating data meetings, and ensuring high quality curriculum and instruction throughout the school.

Lauren began her career teaching high school English at Cristo Rey Boston High School in Dorchester and participating in the Urban Catholic Teacher Corps at Boston College. It was at Cristo Rey that Lauren first began instructional coaching, serving as a New Teacher Development Coach and literacy support within the building. During this time, Lauren also participated in the National Academy of Advanced Teacher Education program (NAATE) to deepen her classroom practice and build her leadership capacity.

She holds a B.A. in English from Fairfield University and an M.A. in Curriculum and Instruction from Boston College.

Patricia Remigio serves as a Leadership Consultant for the Coastal Regional Assistance Team in the Massachusetts DESE Statewide System of Support, an ongoing contract managed by SchoolWorks She began her education career through two years of service with Teach For America New York. Upon her return home to Lawrence, Massachusetts, she served seven more years at the high school and middle school level respectively. She was a founding teacher at 9GA Lawrence High School where she worked with her students both in the general and special education settings. She also held leadership positions for several years there as lead special education teacher, and cohort leader. Patricia later taught middle school science at UP Academy Leonard. Her passion for education transitioned her to the role of school support specialist with the OpenSciEd Equitable Instruction Initiative team at Boston College. Relentlessly, she provided support at the district, school, and classroom level. She consistently collaborated with district leaders, school leaders, and teachers adopting and implementing high-quality instructional materials. Patricia has a B.A. in Sociology from Northeastern University, and M.A. in Education with a concentration in Special Education from Brooklyn College.

Judy Rush is a consultant with SchoolWorks. With over 30 years of experience in public education across rural and urban districts, she has served as the Director of Teaching, Learning, and Grants for Pittsfield Public Schools, a school principal, mathematics coach, and teacher at all levels. Specializing in school turnaround and sustainable change, she supports teacher and administrator licensure, induction programs, and mentoring. Recognized for her leadership, facilitation, and organizational skills, she is dedicated to developing principals into effective instructional leaders. She also serves as Secretary for the Berkshire County Head Start Board of Directors and on the Berkshire Museum Board of Trustees, blending her business and education expertise with a strong commitment to community service. Judy holds a B.S. in Business with a focus on Marketing, Management, and Accounting from Monmouth University and an M.Ed. from Cambridge College.

Shadi Tayarani is a consultant and project manager with SchoolWorks. She is an accomplished educator with over 25 years of experience in both public schools and the private, nonprofit sector, dedicated to promoting equitable access and improving outcomes for students with disabilities.  Specializing in the application of universal design principles alongside research-based interventions, Shadi has led numerous school improvement initiatives. Her work focuses on creating inclusive educational environments that cater to diverse learning needs, ensuring that all students have the opportunity to succeed. Shadi is an adjunct professor at Fitchburg State College, where she teaches a graduate-level course on language comprehension strategies. In addition, she provides professional development related to best practices in special education to teachers in multiple states and hosts a podcast that explores the Science of Reading and its applications in classroom practice.  Shadi began her career as a member of Teach For America and served as a School Director at the Teach For America training institute for several years. Shadi holds a B.A. in Child Development from Tufts University and an M.Ed. in Administration, Planning, and Social Policy from Harvard University. 

Danielle brings a dynamic blend of organizational leadership, accountability, and oversight to her role, offering a well-rounded perspective on school improvement and charter school operations. At SchoolWorks, she leads ongoing school improvement efforts with Westminster Community Charter School and manages multiple technical assistance engagements with charter school authorizers. Her extensive experience includes serving as Chief Operating Officer at Democracy Prep Public Schools, where she oversaw strategy, real estate, expansion, school operations, accountability, grants, and external affairs for 21 charter schools across four states. As an independent education consultant, she has worked with organizations such as Democracy Prep, Prospect Schools, Vertex Partnership Academies, and the SUNY Charter Schools Institute, contributing to facilities management, charter mergers, new school applications, and renewal evaluations. Previously, Danielle was the Managing Director of Finance and Operations at Public Prep Network, where she managed a $43 million budget and led six consecutive clean financial audits. She holds a Master of Public Administration dual degree from Columbia University's School of International and Public Affairs, a Master of Science in Secondary English Education from Pace University, and a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies from the University of Illinois.

Dr. Carl-Anthony Watson is an experienced educational leader with expertise in operational management, organizational design, leadership development, and inquiry-based improvement. He currently serves as a Lecturer at the University of Pennsylvania, guiding doctoral students in data-informed school improvement, and manages SchoolWorks’ multi-school grant evaluation partnership with the Cullen Foundation. Throughout his career, he has held executive leadership roles in public charter networks, including Chief Operating Officer at Ascend Public Charter Schools, Managing Director at Public Prep Network, and Founding Director of Boys Prep Bronx Elementary School. He has also contributed to large-scale school improvement efforts as a Program Officer at The Wallace Foundation, supporting principal pipeline development, and as Chief of Staff for School Improvement at New Visions for Public Schools, where he played a key role in turning around struggling high schools. Dr. Watson holds an Ed.D. in Educational and Organizational Leadership from the University of Pennsylvania, an MPA in Public and Nonprofit Management and Policy from New York University, and a B.A. in English from Temple University.

Rebecca is a seasoned education consultant with deep expertise in competency-based coaching, instructional leadership development, and equity-focused improvement. At SchoolWorks, she manages the organization’s ongoing partnership with The Partnership for Los Angeles Schools and plays a key role in redesign initiatives for Providence Public Schools. Rebecca’s extensive professional experience spans leadership roles in instructional coaching, talent management, and school administration. As a team member for New Leaders’ Assessor Corp, she evaluates program assignments and provides instructional leadership feedback for Emerging Leaders Program participants. She has also served as CEO of Limitless Leader, Inc., where she led DEI organizational assessments for corporate and nonprofit clients, and Empower Consulting, LLC, where she developed and executed product implementation strategies for school district clients. Her previous roles include Director of Implementation at TNTP, where she trained school leaders to enhance observation and feedback efficacy, and Talent Management Coach, where she facilitated large-scale training sessions on Charlotte Danielson’s Framework for Teaching. Rebecca has also held leadership positions in Chicago schools, including Principal at ACT Charter School, Interim Principal at Walter Reed and Richard J. Oglesby Elementary Schools, and Resident Principal at Westcott Elementary School. Rebecca holds an Ed.M. in Administration and Supervision and a Master of Arts in Teaching in Elementary Education from National Louis University, as well as a Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences from Hampton University.

Amy is a seasoned education consultant with deep expertise in special education, school leadership, and serving diverse student populations. She brings decades of experience as a district and school leader, having held key roles in multiple Colorado school systems. At SchoolWorks, Amy serves as a Project Manager, overseeing the coordination of the State Review Panel process on behalf of the Colorado Department of Education. She previously contributed to the panel as a member, applying her knowledge of school accountability and improvement. Before joining SchoolWorks, Amy served as an Area Assistant Superintendent in the St. Vrain Valley School District, where she played a critical role on the superintendent’s cabinet, supporting district-wide initiatives and leading efforts in teacher and principal effectiveness. Prior to that, as Director of Student Achievement in Aurora Public Schools, she supervised up to sixteen PK-12 principals, driving school improvement through data-driven instruction and job-embedded professional development. Amy’s leadership experience also includes serving as an elementary school principal in Denver Public Schools, where she spearheaded intensive literacy training for teachers, and as an assistant principal in Fort Lupton Schools, where she developed professional development programs. She began her career as a K-12 special education teacher. She holds a Type D Administration Certification and an M.A. in Special Education from the University of Northern Colorado, as well as a B.A. in Special Education from Millersville University.

Kate Wheeler serves as the Vice President of Project Oversight at SchoolWorks, where she ensures the implementation of high-quality services. Prior to SchoolWorks, she was a teacher leader in a K-8 school, then worked in the administration for DC Public Schools (DCPS). At DCPS, Kate supported the creation of and managed the implementation and daily operations of the teacher evaluation system, IMPACT. Kate supported the completion and input of triannual assessments for more than 6,000 employees; supervised the creation of a web-based portal in which to enter and analyze assessment data; organized and conducted more than 100 teacher feedback sessions in planning for the evaluation system; and, guided principals in providing support to teachers in need of assistance. While with DCPS, Kate also coordinated the district’s Teacher Incentive Fund grant, overseeing the presentation of more than $1.5 million in awards.

In her current role, Kate collaborates with project managers and office staff to ensure that reviews and projects meet high-quality standards. She emphasizes the importance of viewing school visits as a professional process that supports reflection and improvement.

Kate holds an M.Ed. from Harvard University and a B.A. from the University of Richmond.