About the Presenters
(Click on each picture for presenter details)
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NEW LOCATION: BEST WESTERN DOWNTOWN CASPER HOTEL
Keynote Speakers
Ravi Hutheesing
Ravi Hutheesing
Anne Marie Anderson
Anne Marie Anderson
Pre-Conference Session Speakers
Brock Murphy
Brock Murphy
Brock is a graduate of Texas A&M University and grew up raising American Quarter Horses and Texas Longhorn cattle. He has built a career spanning both the public and private sectors. Brock served in Washington, D.C., including at the White House and the Office of Management and Budget, where he worked closely with senior officials on policy and fiscal matters. In the aerospace industry, he contributed to SpaceX's growth through business development, regulatory compliance, and government relations. As the founder and CEO of Parent ProTech, Brock has combined his background in policy and innovation to help schools and communities strengthen digital safety, empower families, and navigate today's rapidly evolving technology landscape.
Dr. Tiffany Hunt
Dr. Tiffany Hunt
Tiffany Hunt is a faculty member in the Special Education Program at the University of Wyoming. Dr. Hunt’s research interests include bullying and students with disabilities, school violence, competency-based learning modalities, and harnessing innovative technology to support learning. Her areas of expertise also include affective needs, learning disabilities, inclusion services, special education law, and Individualized Education Plan (IEP) compliance. Dr. Hunt has worked with a variety of students with special education needs ranging from preschool to 8th grade. She was a member of the education faculty at Clarke University in Iowa, where she taught in a professional development school and worked at the Wyoming Department of Education, as the Special Programs Division Director. This range of experiences has helped Dr. Hunt grow and advance her knowledge and skill in the field of special education. She has her undergraduate degree in elementary education from the University of Wyoming. She earned her master’s and doctoral degree from the University of Northern Colorado.
Dr. Rod Kessler
Dr. Rod Kessler
Dr. Kessler served the Wyoming School Boards Association as the Director of Leadership Development for five years and retired from the WSBA in December of 2024. Dr. Kessler spent most of his time in school districts across Wyoming working with School Board Members, Administrators, and members of the District Leadership Teams. He still serves districts in Wyoming and Montana on an as-needed basis. Dr. Kessler’s background includes 35 years of teaching and administration. Most of his career was spent in Wyoming with Sweetwater County School District #2 (SCSD#2) for 11 years and Johnson County School District #1 (JCSD#1), where he retired in 2014 after serving 16 years as Superintendent. Dr. Kessler’s education includes a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from the University of Wyoming, a Master’s Degree in Counseling from the University of South Dakota, and a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education with emphasis in Special Education from Dakota State College.
Sue Belish
Sue Belish
A life-long learner and educator (began her career as a third-grade teacher in 1973), Sue moved from the Midwest to Wyoming (with a short layover in Billings, MT to teach and earn another degree) over 45 years ago. After serving Sheridan County School District #1 in a variety of capacities (instructional coach, curriculum director, special education director, middle school principal, superintendent) she began her first retirement in 2011. Not finished learning, Sue continued in the field of education by working as a dean and vice-president of academic affairs at Northern Wyoming Community College District, serving as WSBA’s Director of Leadership Development, and participating as a member of the Wyoming State Board of Education. Today she claims to be “partially proficient” at retirement while continuing to coach leaders and leadership teams around Wyoming.
Breakout Session Speakers
Shane Ogden
Shane Ogden
Shane is the Superintendent of Park County School District #16 in Meeteetse, Wyoming, bringing nearly 30 years of experience in education as a teacher, coach, principal, and district leader. He is passionate about reimagining education through project-based learning, student voice, and authentic learning experiences that prepare students for life beyond the classroom. Shane also serves as a trustee at Northwest College and is committed to challenging traditional educational practices while empowering students and educators to learn, grow, and innovate.
Doug Moore
Doug Moore
Doug is a retired secondary music educator with 35 years of experience, teaching in five school districts across three states. Thirty-one of those thirty-five years were here in Wyoming. Since retirement 11 years ago, he has served his community on various boards and in various volunteer capacities. He is currently serving his first full term as Board Trustee for Sheridan County School District #2.
Shane Rader
Shane Rader
Shane has served on the Sheridan County School District #2 Board of Trustees since 2016. He is also the current President of the Wyoming School Boards Association. He is the Area 7 Director (Sheridan and Johnson Counties). Shane is the current Chair of the Consortium of State School Boards Associations (COSSBA). He has held various officer roles. Shane's education and background are in finance. Shane works for a local nonprofit, The Food Group, whose mission is feeding children in Sheridan County.
Mitch Craft
Mitch Craft
Mitch is an educational leadership consultant with over 25 years of experience as a teacher, principal, district administrator, and trainer. Mitch currently designs custom professional development and coaching for leaders across numerous Wyoming school districts. Previously, Mitch served as assistant superintendent in Sheridan County School District No. 2. As a principal, Mitch led Sheridan Junior High School, which was recognized as a National Model PLC School, National Distinguished Title I School, and National Blue Ribbon School.
Bette Rae Jones
Bette Rae Jones
Bette Rae has been a school board member since 2016 and served in the capacity of board chair since 2023. Her professional background is in Federal Crop Insurance and other agriculture-related businesses. Bette Rae is also on the WSBA Board of Directors. Bette Rae has three grown daughters: Bree, holds a Doctorate Degree in Ed Leadership is a Colorado superintendent serving the same district for the past 16 years; Sandi, a Minnesota hospital based Speech Therapist hold a Master's Degree in Speech Therapy and a Master's Degree in Business Administration; and Tara, a Wyoming Small Hospital Emergency Room registered nurse. Currently, she has 5 of 8 grandchildren attending college.
Dr. Bree Jones
Dr. Bree Jones
Bree, holds a Doctorate Degree in Ed Leadership and has served as the superintendent for La Veta Public Schools in Colorado for the past 16 years.
Ted Hanson
Ted Hanson
Ted serves as the Deputy Executive Director of Programming for BOCES 5, bringing more than 20 years of experience in special education administration across South Dakota and Wyoming. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Elementary and Special Education from Chadron State College and a master’s degree in Educational Leadership from South Dakota State University.He also completed the Superintendent Program at the University of Wyoming.
Dan Mayer
Dan Mayer
As Executive Director, Dan oversees operations of BOCES 5, and travels the state to support the organization, other Wyoming BOCES organizations, and efforts that further BOCES’ services. Dan is a nationally-certified School Psychologist and holds an Administrator Certificate from the University of Wyoming.
Dr. Mark Mathern
Dr. Mark Mathern
Currently serving as chairman of the State Board of Education, Mark has served in education for 32 years as a classroom teacher, school principal, and associate superintendent in Natrona County School District. He facilitated the process of establishing dual language immersion, beginning in kindergarten, in several districts across Wyoming. He was recognized as a Friend of Education by the Wyoming Foreign Language Teachers’ Association. His work also included expanding college and career readiness learning opportunities through the Pathways Innovation Center in Casper and ensuring all NCSD preschools were National Association for the Education of Young Children accredited. Mathern has a bachelor’s degree from North Dakota State University in classical languages, a master’s degree from the University of Wyoming in educational administration, an Ed.D. from Seton Hall University, and maintains his certification as a school administrator. He is an accreditation evaluator and staff development presenter for schools and systems in multiple countries, many U.S. states including Wyoming, and the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA).
Dr. Diana Clapp
Dr. Diana Clapp
Diana is a longtime educator in Wyoming and is currently serving as the Coordinator for the Wyoming State Board of Education. Her teaching experience spans from the elementary to high school classroom. She is an educational leader who has served as an elementary principal, curriculum director, and 17 years as a district superintendent. During her time as a district leader, she was able to work with her community, staff, and school board to implement a nationally recognized early childhood program which serves children ages birth to five and open a school-based community medical clinic. Diana’s experience extends beyond the district through her participation and leadership at regional and state levels. She has served as President of the Wyoming Association of School Administrators and chairs the Wyoming College of Education Advocacy Board. Diana Clapp earned her doctorate degree from the University of Wyoming and is a 2011 graduate of Leadership Wyoming. Diana was named the 2011 Wyoming Superintendent of the Year and is the recipient of the Myron Basom Excellence in Leadership Award. Diana is an advocate for quality education and committed to serving the State Board in its vision to, “ . . . support a student-centered learning system in which all Wyoming students graduate prepared and empowered to create and own their futures.
Dan Schmidt
Dan Schmidt
Dan is the interim superintendent of Fremont County School District 2 and is in his 18th year as a superintendent. During those 18 years, Dan has served eight years on the Montana Cognia (formerly AdvancED) State Council and also the Wyoming Cognia State Committee. During this time he has co-led Systems Accreditation visits in Montana and North Dakota and served on accreditation visits in Wyoming, Montana, and North Dakota. Notably, Mr. Schmidt spearheaded the very first Diagnostic Review of a Native American school district in Cognia's history as the superintendent of the Poplar Schools in Poplar, MT. He has substantial knowledge of systems, particularly educational and military intelligence reporting systems, and how the effectiveness of each system is driven by the cycle noted by W. Edwards Deming of plan, do, study, and act.
Michael Garrett
Michael Garrett
Michael serves as Accreditation & Certification Director for the Pacific Region, supporting schools and systems in their efforts to achieve and maintain high standards of educational quality. With extensive experience in accreditation and continuous improvement as a fourteen-year district superintendent in educational, Michael works with public, private, charter, and international schools to strengthen governance, enhance performance, and improve student outcomes.
Scott Kolpitcke
Scott Kolpitcke
Copenhaver, Kitchen & Kolpitcke, LLC
Scott graduated from the University of Wyoming College of Law in 1996. During his third year in law school, Scott was the Student Director of the UW Legal Services Clinic. This clinical experience allowed him to gain experience representing indigent clients in civil matters under the supervision of the late Professor John M. Burman. After passing the Wyoming and Colorado Bar exams in 1996, Scott joined a small law firm in Laramie focused primarily on estate planning. Since 1998, Scott has practiced with the Powell firm of Copenhaver, Kitchen & Kolpitcke, where he represents school districts, cities, and individuals throughout Wyoming. He has successfully defended his clients in employment disputes before the EEOC, Labor Standards Division, Office for Civil Rights, and other state and federal agencies. He regularly gives presentations to school boards, city councils, and other organizations on issues related to school law, Title IX, employment law, government ethics, and other issues. Scott serves as an appointed member of the Character & Fitness Committee, which screens applicants to the Wyoming Bar to ensure they satisfy the requirements for becoming Wyoming attorneys. He also serves as a member of the Board of Commissioners for the Wyoming State Bar, and on the board of directors for the Moyer Foundation.
Tim Bush
Tim Bush
TTim is a partner in Coal Creek Law, LLC, with extensive experience advising and representing school districts on the legal issues including school finance, school capital construction, board governance, and employment matters. Tim has been involved in all four Wyoming Supreme Court Campbell school finance decisions. Most recently, he served as lead counsel, along with Kelley Pearson, representing eight school districts in school finance litigation before the Wyoming Supreme Court, which issued its September 17, 2026, decision in State of Wyoming v. Wyoming Education Association, et al., 2026 WY 99.
Jacob Gogan
Jacob Gogan
Jacob is the Principal of Cody Middle School and president of the Wyoming Association of Secondary School Principals. His leadership is grounded in the belief that strong schools are built through relationships, clear expectations, meaningful collaboration, and a relentless focus on what is best for students. At Cody Middle School, Jacob has led efforts to strengthen professional learning communities, use student achievement data to guide instruction, expand academic and behavioral supports, and create opportunities for students to develop leadership, belonging, and connection.
Pete Buesgens
Pete Buesgens
Pete spent 34 years in public education, 16 years as a classroom teacher, and 18 years in administration. He taught both middle school and high school before becoming the Athletics Director and Assistant Principal at Apple Valley High School in Minnesota. After eight years, he moved into the Assistant Principal for Student Services position, where he also served as the school's BARR Coordinator. There, he witnessed BARR's power to enhance the trajectory for all students, to transform the culture of a school, and to build collaborative teams, laser-focused on student success.
District Leadership Team
District Leadership Team
The Johnson County School District #1 Board of Trustees and Superintendent Charles Auzqui believe the best solutions are developed through collaboration, relationships, and a shared commitment to students. Together, they are leading JCSD#1 through Wyoming's evolving educational landscape while working alongside school boards across the state to strengthen public education for future generations.
Nick Bellack
Nick Bellack
Nick is the Director of Engagement for the Wyoming School Boards Association and brings more than two decades of experience spanning classroom teaching, state education leadership, and national professional licensure work. His preparation began in a two-year high school vocational teaching program. At the University of Akron, he proposed and helped develop an international student teaching program, then served as a pilot participant completing his student teaching in Germany. In Wyoming, Bellack taught second and third grades, earning the Wyoming Air Force Association State Teacher of the Year award. He later served as an early learning consultant at the Wyoming Department of Education and as interim and assistant director of the Wyoming Professional Teaching Standards Board, overseeing licensure, program approval, and professional discipline. His national experience includes directing educational partnerships in over 30 states for Educational Testing Service. Bellack has served on numerous advisory boards and commissions addressing education in Wyoming, and currently holds gubernatorial appointments as a commissioner on the Wyoming Commission on Judicial Conduct and Ethics and as a citizen member of the Wyoming Board of Examiners of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology. He brings these perspectives to supporting Wyoming school boards, strengthening public education, and doing what's best for kids.
Dr. Andrea Hayden
Dr. Andrea Hayden
Andrea is an elementary teacher in Albany County. She started her 26th year this fall, serving in a district level position as part of the ACSD1 Extension Team. Andrea has a B.A. in Elementary Education, and an M.A. and PhD in Curriculum and Instruction from UW and is National Board certified as a Middle Generalist. She received the Presidential Award for Excellence in Math and Science Teaching in 2022.
Dr. Kate Kniss
Dr. Kate Kniss
Kate is the Chief Academic Officer for Albany County School District #1 in Laramie, Wyoming. She holds a Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Wyoming and has worked in the district for over twenty years as an elementary teacher, math specialist, and Professional Development Coordinator. She is National Board Certified and a recipient of the Presidential Award for Excellence in Math and Science Teaching and the 2025 Wyoming Curriculum Director of the Year.
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