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.

Jennifer Alvarado has served over 25 years in education as a teacher, school leader, district-level program director, and district-level curriculum, instruction, and professional development coordinator. She is passionate about empowering teachers to excel in their craft so that they, in turn, can inspire all students to reach their potential.

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.

Toby Boss, EdD, has over 40 years of experience in education. He spent 22 years as a classroom teacher before assuming the role of district administrator and then taking a professional development consultant position at a regional service agency. As a High Reliability Schools associate, Dr. Boss works directly with schools to help design systems of continuous improvement through coaching and support.

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.

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.

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.

David Franklin, EdD, is an author, professor of education, and consultant and has worked with school leaders and teachers around the country in the areas of school vision, instruction, technology, and collaboration.