Speaker Information

Dr. Tiffany Anderson is the first African American female superintendent of Topeka Public Schools and she has been a public school educator for 28 years, with the majority of that time as superintendent. In addition to her role as superintendent, Dr. Anderson advises Kansas officials on postsecondary and equity policies. In 2019, Kansas Governor Laura Kelly, appointed Dr. Anderson to the Postsecondary Technical Education Authority (TEA), as part of the Kansas Board of Regents and in 2020, Governor Kelly appointed Dr. Anderson to Co-Chair the Governor’s Kansas Commission on Racial Equity and Justice. Dr. Anderson is a fierce advocate for equity and in 2021, Dr. Anderson was a voice for the nation’s educators and testified to Congress during the Biden Administration on the Digital Divide.  During Dr. Anderson’s tenure, literacy rates have increased at multiple schools, universal preschool has expanded, a school district daycare was opened in 2022 and, graduation rates have increased above the state and national average at multiple high schools. Currently, the national School Superintendent’s Association (AASA) has selected Dr. Anderson as a 2023 Woman Superintendent of the year. 

Dr. Anderson earned her undergraduate degree, and later her doctorate, from Saint Louis University in 2001. Dr. Anderson earned her Masters in Divinity in 2022 from Nazarene Theological Seminary and previously in 2016 was recognized with an Honorary Doctorate at Eden Theological Seminary for her work within the St. Louis community.  Dr. Anderson’s publications include her books on transforming schools along with several articles on public health and equity in education, published in local and national magazines, blogs and newspapers. Her focus on health has been captured in publications by Heinemann Press, The Harvard Gazette, ASCD, and by numerous other agencies.

In 2022, Dr. Anderson was selected by USA Today as the Woman of the Year Honoree for Kansas which recognized her work in public health in addressing literacy needs, trauma and health with innovative strategies. In 2016 and 2017, national documentaries were created about Dr. Anderson’s work with addressing poverty and transforming communities.  In 2016, Dr. Anderson was recognized as one of the top six People with Purpose at the Oscars for her innovative work in education. In 2014, Dr. Anderson earned national recognition from Education Week as one of the nation’s 16 Leaders to Learn From. A few of the other recognitions Dr. Anderson has received include the Lifetime Achievement Award for volunteerism from President Obama; the Salute to Excellence for Women awarded by the Urban League; the Stellar Performance Award by the St. Louis American and the award for Diversity in Business from the St. Louis Business Journal, and most recently the K-State Excellence in Leadership Award (EEL). Dr. Anderson is a lifetime member of the NAACP and she and her late husband, Dr. Stanley Anderson, have two children who are college graduates and serving in public health in addressing, cancer research and technology.

Dr. Tron Young is the Assistant Superintendent for Educational Services in Alton CUSD #11, bringing over 20 years of experience as a teacher, elementary principal, and middle school principal. A dedicated leader, he was named the 2020 Illinois Middle School Principal of the Year and the Illinois NASSP National Distinguished Principal. His numerous accolades include the Illinois Education Association Bob Haisman "Teacher of the Year" award, the 100 Black Men United Educator of the Year, and finalist recognition for the 2023 Golden Apple Awards for Excellence in Leadership.

Dr. Young is a passionate advocate for student success, believing in being the thermostat to actively shape environments for growth. He encourages educators and students alike to push boundaries, embrace creative solutions, and foster meaningful change. With a steadfast commitment to collaboration and development, he invites others to join him in creating a culture of connection, innovation, and excellence in education.

Dr. Tiffany Patton has an extensive amount of experience in successfully leading school improvement work using the key levers of data and assessment, staff coaching and development, curriculum alignment and rigor, and establishing cultures of high expectations for all.

Dr. Patton has served in leadership roles in both traditional public school and charter school settings with experience at all three levels of K-12 education. She is passionate about working to resolve educational inequity in school systems, particularly those with high concentrations of poverty. Her doctoral research on Principal Leadership Strategies and Professional Development for Leading Schools with High Concentrations of Poverty, speaks to her desire to protect the right children have to a high quality education and supporting the courageous and heart-driven leaders who embrace this challenge every day. She has been a panelist recently on a webinar for BetterLesson to share strategies for addressing student’s mental health needs and with Lexia to discuss how she is using their products to integrate Science of Reading aligned practices into the core content areas in the secondary classrooms. 

Dr. Murray is an educational leader with 27+ years of experience. She is a Missouri Leadership Development Specialist at Education Plus and Founder/CEO of Equity Matters Consultants. Graduate of Goldman Sachs One Million Black Women initiative, Dr. Murray specializes in equity literacy, culturally responsive pedagogy, and building collective efficacy in educational communities. Her experience includes roles as district administrator, principal, and Teacher of the Year, consistently improving student outcomes across diverse demographics across multiple states. Author of "Serving Educational Equity: A Five-Course Framework for Accelerated Learning," she integrates Science of Learning Development principles with practical strategies to help educators and students reach their highest potential. Sonya has earned numerous awards including the Service to Schools ANet award and recognitions for her service to schools and organizations. 

Dr. Sherrie Robbins is an experienced educator who helps teachers and educational leaders capitalize on their strengths to enhance best practices. Sherrie believes that all educators strive for excellence to provide the best experiences for their school community, but the demands and diverse challenges in today's schools become roadblocks to professional development and learning. In her commitment to furthering the field of education, Sherrie has been awarded Teacher of the Year at two different schools. In addition to having been a classroom teacher, academic coach, and literacy facilitator, Sherrie currently is adjunct faculty for Grand Canyon University and University of Arizona Global Camus, consultant and equity champion for EquityMatters, and a coach for BetterLesson. Sherrie loves leading professional development in a variety of areas and has earned National Board certification. Sherrie holds a Doctorate in Education in Curriculum and Instruction from Liberty University, a Masters in Teaching and Learning from Nova Southeastern University, and a Bachelors in Elementary Education from Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania. When not working with fellow educators, you can usually find Sherrie on some type of adventure with her husband and three beautiful daughters.

🍎 📚Educator🏌🏾‍♂️Avid Golfer

🚫 anti-racist in training.🥊

Leading social change through literacy.

#antiracist #bamastate #hbcupride #blackauthor

Rashida Squalls Chatman, M.Ed. is a K-12 Math Curriculum Specialist from North St. Louis and a proud alumna of the St. Louis Public School District and Fisk University (Class of 2008). With over a decade of experience, she has served as a Math Interventionist, a 3rd-8th grade Math and Science Teacher at BKG Pamoja Prep @ Cole, and a Consultant Teacher. A student-focused teacher and administrator whose positive impact touches the lives of young scholars and reaches far beyond the classroom and report cards.

With nearly two decades of leadership experience as an Executive Coach, Principal, Educator, and Instructional Coordinator, Paya Sample has a gift for understanding people and team dynamics. She is passionate about helping leaders create spaces where individuals feel seen, valued, and inspired to bring their best.

Paya’s journey is rooted in a deep commitment to fostering connection, belonging, and growth. Her academic foundation— a B.A. in Sociology & Anthropology, an M.A. in Elementary Education, and an Educational Specialist Degree in Educational Leadership—fuels her mission to bridge research-based practices with real-world leadership challenges.

As a people-centered leader, Paya partners with organizations to honor the dignity and uniqueness of every individual. She thrives in guiding teams through complexity, leading with integrity, joy, and authenticity. Whether coaching leaders to navigate power dynamics, facilitating transformative learning experiences, or fostering high-performing teams, Paya is known for her ability to balance strategy with heart.

Matt serves as a partnerships director serving partners across the Central United States. As a partnerships director he ensures ANet services for partners in the region are tailored to meet their direct needs and are to the bar of excellence ANet promises. Matt began his career in education as a teacher, instructional coach, and leader at schools in New Orleans, LA. He has been with the ANet team since 2022 and prior to joining ANet supported New Classrooms to provide innovative math solutions to schools and districts struggling with Algebra readiness. Matt has over 10 years of experience in education and holds a B.A. from Rutgers University.

MeQuel (Mee-kwel) Bolden is a former elementary educator with over a decade of experience and a dedicated advocate for structured literacy. She is passionate about empowering primary educators, engaging young learners, and helping schools elevate their early literacy reputation. Currently, MeQuel works with the DC Reading Clinic, where she trains elementary teachers in structured literacy practices. Having successfully coached over 88 teachers, she understands the unique challenges leaders face and is committed to guiding them toward success in structured literacy.

Lisa Thompson began her career in education 31 years ago as a 1st Grade teacher in the Columbia Public Schools. After her 1st year of teaching she moved back to St. Louis where she served the Parkway School District for 20 years. She taught K-2nd grade for 6 years followed by 7 years in central office creating and implementing professional learning opportunities for administrators, teachers and students in the area of equity and social justice. Lastly, she served as Assistant Principal at Hanna Woods for 6 years. Lisa then left the district to become the proud Principal of Moline Elementary in the Riverview Gardens School District for the next 4 years, where she had the distinct honor of removing her school from the failing schools’ list. Upon completing her 25th year in education, Mrs. Thompson decided to retire from public education in order to serve her community in a larger capacity. She has spent the past 7 years mentoring, coaching and supporting Principals who are leading schools with Comprehensive School Improvement designation to help them turn their schools around. Although she has filled many roles in education, her goal has always been to provide high quality learning experiences for all students.

Dr. Kristen Taylor is an esteemed educational consultant and professional learning facilitator with over two decades of experience in education. She currently serves as a Lead Consultant with Equity Matters Consulting, where she has been instrumental in designing and implementing equity-centered professional development initiatives for schools and districts across the country.

Previously, Dr. Taylor held leadership roles as a district-level instructional coach and school administrator, where she specialized in curriculum design, teacher mentorship, and fostering collective efficacy within school teams. Her expertise in leveraging high-quality curriculum to enhance Tier 1 instruction and reduce dependency on interventions has made her a sought-after voice in education reform.

With a passion for empowering educators and school leaders, Dr. Taylor’s sessions are known for being engaging, evidence-based, and transformative for participants at all levels of leadership.

Keyonnia Foote, Ed.S. is the founder and lead consultant of Foote Forward Solutions, an educational consulting firm dedicated to strengthening literacy instruction and supporting teacher development in K–8 classrooms. With over 20 years of experience as a classroom teacher, reading specialist, and curriculum coach, Keyonnia partners with schools to implement research-based strategies that improve student outcomes. Her passion lies in equipping educators—especially new and uncertified teachers—with the tools and confidence they need to foster strong, equitable literacy environments. Through coaching, professional development, and hands-on support, she helps educators move instruction forward—one classroom at a time.

Jay started his career as a Career Services Advisor before moving into teaching. Jay’s first teaching role was within Chicago Public Schools, as a Chicago Teaching Fellow-affiliated with TNTP as a special education teacher. He transitioned to Four Points Middle School in Austin, TX as a middle school English, advanced placement and gifted and talented instructor. As an instructional leader, Jay has held roles as Campus Leadership Team Member, and School Administration Intern, Instructional Coach and Academic Dean. As a Director of School Support, Jay has supported schools and districts in New England, Upstate New York, Missouri and Washington, D.C. with The Achievement Network.

Dr. Ian Buchanan serves as CEO of Nia Education Group, a coaching and consulting firm dedicated to helping great leaders become their greatest leadership selves. Ian is also the author of, KING: A Four-Part Leadership Framework for Black Men.

Before founding Nia Education Group, Ian served as Assistant Superintendent in the School District of University City. Before his five-year tenure in University City, Buchanan served as founding Director of Strategic Partnerships for the Achievement School District (Memphis, TN). In one of his most recent consulting roles, he assumed the role of Education Chair for the St. Louis City NAACP chapter, leading a region-wide literacy campaign, the Right to Read.

For over two decades, Ian has served in teaching roles at the K-12, adult basic education, undergraduate, and graduate levels. He has also served in school leadership roles at the elementary and middle school levels.

Ian has received numerous awards and recognitions, including the Missouri Association of Secondary School Principals Consummate Professional of the Year Award, the St. Louis American Salute to Excellence in Education Award, and the Teach for America Principal of the Year Award. He is highly regarded nationwide for his passion and commitment to empowering our communities.

Dr. Howard E. Fields III is an internationally recognized educational leader, researcher, and creator known for his innovative approaches to educational leadership.

Dr. Fields earned his Ph.D. in Education from the University of Missouri-St. Louis in 2017. His groundbreaking doctoral research, which resulted in the award-winning documentary "The Art of the Student Transfer Program," examined educational disparities through the unique lens of families directly affected by student transfer policies. This impactful research evolved into a bestselling book, influencing educational policy and practice across education systems. Dr. Fields' research was also honored with the prestigious International Innovative Electronic Thesis & Dissertation Award from the Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations.

In 2020, Dr. Fields was recognized as the National Elementary Distinguished Principal of the Year, highlighting his exceptional leadership, dedication to educational excellence, and significant contributions to enhancing educator capacity and student outcomes.

In addition to his role as a sought-after speaker and author, Dr. Fields is the founder of InDepth, an annual professional learning conference dedicated to enhancing educator capacity through hands-on, practical solutions delivered by leading experts and researchers in education.

Dr. Exley Horton Warren is a third-generation educator from Clinton, MD. Currently, he is an Executive Coach with the Champion Method, LLC and Equity Matters. Additionally, Exley works as an Adjunct Professor at the University of Missouri St. Louis (UMSL). He has worked across the country in Title I, urban, traditional public, and charter school systems. In 2019, when the Ferguson School District was recognized by the Missouri Dept. of Education with the designation “Accreditation with Distinction,” the school where he served as principal had the highest APR score in the district (100%). As a district administrator in Ferguson, he partnered with the district’s librarians to plan and organize the 1 Billion Word Challenge, increased focus on Balanced Literacy and the Science of Reading, implemented the use of the Gradual Release of Responsibility model across the district, and spearheaded an initiative to offer more Advance Placement courses to students of color. He brings a reputation for transformational leadership and inspiring students to develop a life-long passion for learning which translates to success both in and outside the classroom.

Bolanle Ambonisye is a certified African-centered educator, mother of four, grandparent of two, lifelong student of relationships, and a builder of unity. She is the founder of U&I-RISE Adult Education and Training and a former early childhood and primary-grade teacher with over 30 years of experience working with Black children, their parents, and the schools that serve them. Bolanle is the author of Tapping Our Parental Power and the lead facilitator of FLARES Comprehensive Classroom Management for Urban Educators—programs designed to strengthen the connection between home and school and equip adult stakeholders to create the conditions Black students need to thrive. Outside of her professional work, she is an African dance instructor and karaoke enthusiast.

Mrs. Tashanae Francis-Womack, is passionate about creating inclusive and empowering educational cultures. With a Master's in Education and pursuing a Ph.D. in Educational Psychology, she excels in supporting teacher development and transforming learning environments. Her dedication to innovation and equity makes her a vital asset in education. She is dedicated to establishing inclusive and empowering cultures within educational institutions, recognizing culture's pivotal role in shaping learning environments.

Dr. Terrance Scott is an educator, consultant, and writer dedicated to dismantling barriers that prevent children from historically oppressed backgrounds from accessing a high-quality, joyful education. With roots in Detroit, he discovered his passion for educational equity and community development as he taught in Nashville, TN. He earned his Master’s in Education from Lipscomb University and Doctorate in Education from Trevecca Nazarene University. He now leverages his expertise as a School Climate, Culture, and Equity Consultant with Wayne RESA and through his firm, Legendary Educational Consulting, LLC, aiming to support educational equity initiatives and create restorative brave spaces in schools across America.

Dr. Jana Haywood is a dynamic and visionary leader in education, known for her innovative approach to equity, student advocacy, and transformative leadership. Currently serving as the Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources for the Ferguson-Florissant School District, Dr. Haywood brings more than 18 years of experience spanning classroom teaching, athletic leadership, school administration, and district-level leadership.

Dr. Haywood began her career in education in 2005 with the St. Louis Public Schools, where she quickly emerged as a champion for underserved and underrepresented students. Grounded in the values instilled through her Lutheran education, she has consistently centered service, equity, and student voice in her leadership. Her work focuses on eliminating systemic barriers and implementing trauma-informed practices that create safe, inclusive environments for all learners. She is a national presenter for the Beyond Consequences Institute and serves on the advisory council for the Crisis Prevention Institute, advocating for de-escalation strategies that prioritize student dignity and educator self-care.

In addition to her educational leadership, Dr. Haywood is the author of Move Without the Ball, a motivational book for individuals navigating life transitions. She is also the co-founder of Illumine Solutions Group, a coaching and consulting firm she launched with her husband to help individuals and organizations ignite purpose and achieve transformational goals. Jana is the co-founder of Love and Leadership, a women’s empowerment community supporting the personal and professional growth and development of intergenerational women across socioeconomic classes and industries.

Dr. Michael Wheeler is an award-winning educational leader and current Assistant Principal at Bernard Middle School in the Mehlville School District. Named the 2025 SASSP Middle School Assistant Principal of the Year, Dr. Wheeler is known for his innovative and student-centered approach to school leadership, with a particular focus on instructional rigor, data-informed decision-making, and staff collaboration.

A former elementary school teacher from London, England, Dr. Wheeler brings a unique and diverse perspective to his leadership. He has led major school-wide initiatives, including the implementation of Professional Learning Communities (PLCs), a cross-curricular literacy framework, and restorative intervention systems that have dramatically improved student outcomes and school climate.

Dr. Wheeler has presented at state and regional conferences on topics such as leadership culture, personalized professional development, and systems thinking in schools. His session, "Slowing Down to Accelerate Learning," reflects his deep belief that meaningful growth happens when schools take the time to prioritize relationships, reflection, and clarity in instructional design.

Passionate about supporting both students and teachers, Dr. Wheeler’s leadership philosophy centers on building trust, empowering teams, and creating schools where everyone can thrive.