Our Associates

Kim Frees has worked in education for over 25 years and currently serves as an elementary school principal. She has worked with Marzano Academies for the past three years with a focus on competency-based learning.

Mark Gardner currently teaches high school English in Washington state, where he has been an instructional mentor, union leader, and professional developer for over 20 years. In addition to his work in the classroom, he supports teacher and principal learning around effective teaching and instructional support.

Shelley Gies, EdD, is a full-time Marzano associate. She is the former director of curriculum and instruction and a former building-level principal at Clark-Pleasant Community School Corporation in central Indiana. Shelley also spent 23 years as a classroom teacher, serving most grades K–6.

Kathy Tuchman Glass is an accomplished author, consultant, and former classroom teacher with more than twenty-five years of experience in education.

Maria Gonzales has more than 15 years of experience as a classroom teacher, campus instructional coach, district project-based learning coach, bilingual program facilitator, and now as a preK–5 English learner support coordinator for the McKinney Independent School District in Texas.

Zabdi Gonzalez is the senior director of English learner support for McKinney Independent School District. With over 20 years experience in education, she previously worked as a bilingual teacher, assistant principal, principal, and adjunct college professor.

Crystal Green-Braswell is an experienced educational leader in Arkansas and owner of The Crystal Dragonfly Education Consulting. She currently serves as coordinator of staff wellness and culture for Little Rock School District.

Michael Grenda has spent 23 years of his educational career as a teacher, dean, and principal to the students and families of North Chicago School District #187. In 2021, he became a member of the high reliability schools’ network and is currently leading his middle school campus in HRS work while also leading his team in the adoption of The New Art and Science of Teaching.

Laura Hack, EdD, is the director of elementary education at the Bartholomew Consolidated School Corporation in Indiana. She has worked as a teacher, assistant principal, principal, and Title I director.

Marisa Hafley, coordinator of talent development at Region 9 Education Service Center in Wichita Falls, Texas, specializes in supporting campuses and districts with professional development opportunities, school improvement efforts, and the Marzano High Reliability Schools framework.