Our Associates

Shannon Rivard has served in education for more than 25 years as a classroom teacher, interventionist, instructional coach, professor, and consultant in Minnesota. She has been certified through the High Reliability Teacher program Levels 1, 2, and 3 and also helped her school district achieve High Reliability Schools certification through Level 3. Shannon is passionate about coaching effective teaching practices.

Doug Rigby, EdM, is the assistant superintendent of Uinta County School District #1. With 28 years’ experience, he was previously a teacher, coach, and principal. He is passionate about creating an environment where all students learn at high levels.

Heather Potter currently serves as principal of Knox Middle School in the San Diego USD. Within the previous four years, Heather led Knox out of its state designation as a program improvement school by implementing interventions from Marzano Resources.

Shane Porter is an education specialist with Region 9 in Wichita Falls, Texas. She specializes in assisting campuses and districts with school improvement and Marzano’s High Reliability Schools (HRS) Framework.

Don Porter is a practicing learner-leader who currently serves as a middle school administrator. He has served students and worked to foster a culture of learning and success in schools for over 13 years. Don has experience implementing the School Wellness Wheel and gets excited about working with people to achieve at high levels.

Kristin Poage is a contributing author and presenter for Marzano Resources. She is a middle school principal, professional development presenter, and district leader. Her career in education has led her to work in areas of student engagement, grading, instruction, and leadership.

Denise Phillips-Luster, EdD, is the principal of Hancock Creek Elementary in North Fort Myers, Florida. Throughout her career, she has provided professional development for adult learners, facilitated interest-based problem-solving processes, and demonstrated strong organizational leadership and managerial skills.

Barbara-Jane Paris, PhD, has proudly served students, educators, policymakers, and governmental agencies in a career spanning three decades and more than 40 states and countries around the globe.

Whitney Owens, MEd, has served as an elementary classroom teacher, middle school principal, head of schools, university professor, and professional development facilitator over a 17-year career.

Lisa Nieder was a high school math teacher for 25 years and then secondary mathematics curriculum coordinator for Columbia Public Schools for four years. She currently serves as director of board development for the Missouri School Boards Association. During her time with CPS, she wrote and edited proficiency scales, transitioned to Standards Referenced Grading in her classroom, and then trained math teachers district-wide to do the same.