Karen is a full-time Professional Learning consultant for Corwin. In her role, she works with teachers and leaders across the nation to understand the Visible Learning research and use it as a guide to inform decisions about what best impacts student learning. Karen also facilitates professional learning centered on teacher clarity and formative assessment, and works hands on with teachers and leaders to drive learning at surface, deep and transfer levels. Prior to her role with Corwin, Karen was the Executive Director of Educational Services for 5 years and Director of Literacy and Social Studies in VVSD for 2 years, after serving as the English Department Chair for Romeoville high school. Karen’s classroom experience includes high school English, special education, and alternative education.

During her time at the district level, Karen led the implementation of Visible Learning as well as development on sound assessment practices and design. As a result, the district has seen steady gains in both English Language Arts and mathematics for the past four years. Karen’s presentation style is highly engaging and focuses on participants being able to understand and apply specific practices in their school or classroom based on solid evidence.

Every day, children and students with social, emotional and behavioral challenges face significant barriers in navigating their environments. The resulting behaviors take a toll on everyone involved—and the financial cost is crippling. When we don’t help our most vulnerable kids, we all lose. Dr. Ross Greene will then take a deep dive into his internationally-recognized evidence-based model Collaborative & Proactive Solutions (CPS), exploring how CPS has transformed practices in families, schools, treatment settings and justice systems around the world, and been associated with dramatic reductions in adult-child conflict, disciplinary referrals, detentions, suspensions and seclusions. Attendees will leave with strategies for collaborative problem-solving, as well as proactive, research-based tools for assessment and intervention.

Ricky Robertson has had the privilege to work with students from pre-K to 12th grade who have persevered in the face of adversity and trauma. As a consultant and coach, he assists schools in developing trauma-informed systems of support and Restorative Practices that foster resilience and success for staff and students. He is the co-author of the recently published book, “Building Resilience in Students Impacted by Adverse Childhood Experiences: A Whole-Staff Approach.” (CORWIN 2018). Ricky delivers impactful, life-changing and school system-changing workshops through his consultant relationship with CORWIN, based on this timely and important new book.

Ricky first became acquainted with the work of John Hattie, Nancy Frey, & Doug Fisher in 2009, when he was teaching high school in one of New York City's most diverse school districts. He incorporated many of their strategies into his unique, relationship-based approach to teaching; as a result, students' passing rates on state math assessments improved from 55% to over 90%.

Ricky currently holds a teaching credential (K-12 Special Education) and Washington State school administrator certification. As a teacher, Behavior Specialist, and coach, he has worked in K-12 traditional and alternative schools. Ricky has helped schools develop and implement multi-tiered systems of support that have improved student behavior, academic performance, social-emotional wellbeing, and attendance. His deep respect for youth, especially those living with trauma, and the educators who serve them continue to inspire his work today.

Dominique Smith received his doctorate degree in educational leadership from San Diego State University. He is a Vice Principal at Health Sciences and Middle College (HSHMC) located in San Diego, CA. Dominique has helped transform HSHMC to become a restorative school with his efforts of being the leader of restorative practices for the past eight years.

He recently published a book with authors Douglas Fisher and Nancy Frey, “Engagement By Design: Creating Learning Environments Where Students Thrive.” Dominique previously co-authored, “Better than Carrots and Sticks” with Fisher & Frey. In 2014 Dominique was the recipient of the National School Safety Advocacy Award. Dominique focuses on creating a well-rounded school climate to allow the growth of all students to become the best student they can be. He believes students have the right to feel like they have a future and can be successful no matter any situation.

Tommy Thompson is an experienced educational leader and consultant that works with school districts throughout the United States. He has been featured in several publications such as Rigorous Curriculum Design, Common Formative Assessment, Every Day Courage for School Leaders and is recognized nationally as an energetic and passionate speaker.

Mr. Thompson is among a cadre of educators certified through Corwin to present, facilitate, and coach schools in Professor Hattie’s Visible Learning. In addition to keynotes and customized workshops for schools, he is certified to present thought leaders work such as Larry Ainsworth’s CFA 2.0 and Teacher Clarity, Gary Howard’s Deep Equity, and Peter Dewitt’s Collaborative Leadership.

As a school principal, Tommy is recognized for turnaround efforts that transformed a “failing” school, to one being nationally recognized. He has also been recognized at the state level and called upon to share best practices that have yielded gains in every metric currently used to assess school effectiveness.

With over 20 years of experience working in schools and the experience of working closely with thought leaders in education, Tommy has the unique ability to bridge theory and practice.