Presenters

Mario Acosta, EdD, is an award-winning educator, author, speaker, and presenter. He spent 20 years of his career as a teacher, instructional coach, assistant principal, academic director, and principal. He was named the 2022 Principal of the Year in Texas while serving Westwood High School.

Debbie Aholt is a leadership coach in Meridian, Idaho. She has over 30 years of experience as a classroom teacher, instructional coach, building administrator, and leadership coach. Debbie works with districts and schools to support systemic transformations that impact student and adult learning.

Ashley Avila is an implementation specialist for Marzano Academies, a current associate for Marzano Resources, and coauthor of Teaching in a Competency-Based Secondary School: The Marzano Academies Model.

Kathy Cawthron has worked in public education for 34 years, with 26 of those years in campus and district leadership roles. She led her last two campuses through High Reliability Schools Levels 1–3 certifications and rebranded her former elementary campus as an arts integration academy.

Amber Clark is the principal of a Marzano Academy and has nearly two decades of combined teaching and leading experience in elementary and secondary schools and at the college level. Personalized Competency-Based Education is her passion, with a focus on mentoring and growing Effective Teachers, ensuring Guaranteed and Viable Curriculum and Social Emotional Learning for healthy school culture.

Bev Clemens, PhD, is an experienced educational leader who has worked in large suburban districts and in smaller urban districts with diverse student populations. In addition to her work with Marzano Resources, Dr. Clemens has worked with a small nonprofit organization focused on developing leadership skills in school leaders who are working to transform schools to meet the needs of all students.

Mitch Craft spent over two decades working in K–12 schools, serving as a teacher, instructional coach, assistant principal, principal, and assistant superintendent. His expertise and passions center on supporting principals and leaders to improve outcomes and experiences for educators and their students.

Dirk R. DeBoer is a middle school principal leading a Marzano High Reliability Schools Level 4 building. Prior to becoming a school administrator, he acquired valuable experience as a school psychologist and instructional coach.

Michael Evans, EdD, brings over 28 years of experience as a classroom teacher, school counselor, building-level leader, and district-level leader.As a practitioner, he has led the transition to standards-based learning in multiple districts and continues to support schools and districts across the United States as an associate with Marzano Resources.

Greg Figenser brings over 25 years of diverse experience in education, having served in the roles of district professional development leader, curriculum director, principal, and classroom teacher. Over the past decade, Greg has shared his expertise by presenting nationwide to school administrators, as well as novice and experienced educators, providing the tools and strategies necessary for success in today's evolving educational environment.