Educational Leader

Dr. Brent Conway is an educational leader with over 25 years of experience in the field. He has been a classroom teacher, a special education leader, a building administrator and is currently the Assistant Superintendent for the Pentucket Regional School District in West Newbury, MA. As a Principal, Brent led Lincoln Elementary School in Melrose, MA to achieve a National Blue Ribbon School designation in 2015 for closing achievement gaps. As the Assistant Superintendent in Pentucket, he leads efforts in the district, across the state of MA and the country to implement evidence-based literacy instruction. In addition to being a national leader and speaker for literacy, he has built opportunities for advanced coursework for high school students in science, engineering and math pathways.

Curriculum and Instruction Leadership work in MA and Nationally

Curriculum Matters Group - National Professional Learning Leader (2021 – current)
MA REDI (Racial Equity, Diversity & Inclusion) Network (2022-current)
Massachusetts Reading Association Professional Development Committee member (2021)
Advisory Board Member for Heggerty Phonemic Awareness Curriculum (January 2021 – current)
Founding Member of the Northshore Literacy Leaders (2018 – 2020)
Member of the Curriculum and Staff Development Network (2018 – current)
MA Dyslexia Guidelines Development Committee (2020)
MA DESE Literacy Champions Advisory Group (2019 – current)
MA Elementary School Principal’s Association, MESPA - PD committee (2008 – 2012)

Read about the teaching and learning work at Pentucket that focuses on the Skillful Implementation of High Quality Curriculum on the Pentucket Teaching & Learning Blog

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Listen to the remarkable work of the staff and students in Pentucket through the Teaching and Learning Podcasts

Featured Professional Work, Interviews and Contributions

Published Article in Kappan - September 2023

Emerging stronger

Brent Conway
August 28, 2023

A Massachusetts district uses curriculum, teacher support, and data to fuel student academic growth.

Featured Article in EdWeek - Curriculum Implementation

Buying Curriculum Isn’t Enough to Change Teaching and Learning. Here’s What It Takes

By Sarah Schwartz — December 16, 2022

Heggerty Case Study

Heggerty Phonemic Awareness Curriculum Case Study

Brent Conway from Pentucket Regional School District, May 7, 2021

Episodes | literacypodcastMelissa and Lori Love Literacy is a podcast for educators interested in learning more about the science of reading, knowledge building, and high quality curriculum! Join Melissa Loftus and Lori Sappington every Friday as we tackle new ways of thinking about how to teach reading and writing. Our guests include school-based educators and leaders, district leaders, literacy researchers and experts, and passionate parents and community members.

Episode Description

Pentucket Regional School District transitioned from balanced literacy programs to teaching and learning with structured literacy and reading science. Coaches and leaders used data to support educators in understanding the purpose of the transition. They unpacked why the materials were different from what they previously used. Key takeaway: You can’t take your old practices with you and use them with the new materials. Pentucket currently utilizes Wit & Wisdom ELA, Geodes, Fundations, and Heggerty.