About Us

Dr. Woodson is a former principal of a high English learner (EL) enrollment Title 1 elementary school. A veteran in public education with over 35 years of service as a teacher, specialist, supervisor, district EL Program Director, and adjunct professor, Dr. Woodson specializes in empowering teachers to lead strategic improvement efforts through the development and delivery of deep and sustained professional learning in equity-focused leadership. An expert in second language acquisition and district-level program administration, Dr. Woodson’s current efforts focus on creating equitable conditions for ELs in schools, EL-centered school improvement strategies, and leadership coaching for teacher leaders and administrators.

Nina Khouri, a former Assistant Principal, has supervised the EL/World Languages and English departments and served a diverse community. As an educator for over thirty seven years, Nina had a variety of roles as a college adjunct English professor, EL teacher at the secondary level, district wide EL Coordinator, and school administrator. Having degrees in Teaching English as a Second Language, Nina is highly skilled in writing/implementing curriculum and assessments for ELs, assisting diverse students and their families in adapting to a new system of education, and training EL and content teachers in improving EL academic performance and social/emotional learning. Nina’s core beliefs center around equity and excellence in education, collaborative learning, and continuous growth.

Nina Khouri, a former Assistant Principal, has supervised the EL/World Languages and English departments and served a diverse community. As an educator for over thirty seven years, Nina had a variety of roles as a college adjunct English professor, EL teacher at the secondary level, district wide EL Coordinator, and school administrator. Having degrees in Teaching English as a Second Language, Nina is highly skilled in writing/implementing curriculum and assessments for ELs, assisting diverse students and their families in adapting to a new system of education, and training EL and content teachers in improving EL academic performance and social/emotional learning. Nina’s core beliefs center around equity and excellence in education, collaborative learning, and continuous growth.

Norka Padilla is currently a Coordinator with International Admissions & Enrollment in the office of School Support and Well-being in Montgomery County Public Schools, Maryland, where she collaborates ensuring equitable access to standards aligned instruction and programming K-12. Previously, she served as a Learning and Achievement Specialist supporting 24 leadership teams with school improvement K-12. Norka has over 30 years of experience as an instructional specialist and teacher designing and facilitating professional development nationally. She also enjoys consulting for state, national, public, and private organizations on standards-setting and policy. Norka is a Nationally Board Certified specialist in English as a New Language K-12 with two master’s degrees and administrative certification from Trinity College, McDaniel College, and the University of Maryland. She is also certified in Educational Administration and Supervision I & II in Maryland.

Norka collaborates with several educational non-profit organizations: as an Equity Commissioner for The New Teacher Center, is GLEAM badged for coaching school leadership teams for UnboundEd, and standard setting with Dr. Webb’s team at WebbAlign.

Norka was born and raised trilingual as a Guatemalan-Norwegian-American in Washington, DC, and is the proud mother of three young men. She and her husband live in Friendship Heights where they enjoy traveling, urban walks, and hiking in nature.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/norka-padilla-edequity/

Ms. Sonja Bloetner is a twenty-eight year veteran in public education. In her role as a district level administrator, she supervises curriculum development, assessment development, professional development and school support to increase engagement and achievement for over 30,000 English Learners who are enrolled in Grades K-12. She works with her team to design, deliver and collaborate on districtwide professional learning projects for hundreds of teachers and administrators. Additionally, Ms. Sonja Bloetner is a co-founder of CREATE Solutions, LLC and has been providing consulting services for school systems and non-profit organizations. She and her team are passionate about shifting learning outcomes for diverse learners in the United States and in the global community. She recently completed an Urban Superintendent Academy program, sponsored by Howard University and the Association of Administrators and Superintendents (AASA) and is currently enrolled in a Education Policy Fellowship Program with the Institute of Educational Leadership in Washington D.C. She recently published two books: Formative Assessment Strategies for English Language Learners with Teacher Created Materials, Inc and Leading Success for Diverse Learners: Transforming the Matrix of Your School System.

Ms. Sonja Bloetner is a twenty-eight year veteran in public education. In her role as a district level administrator, she supervises curriculum development, assessment development, professional development and school support to increase engagement and achievement for over 30,000 English Learners who are enrolled in Grades K-12. She works with her team to design, deliver and collaborate on districtwide professional learning projects for hundreds of teachers and administrators. Additionally, Ms. Sonja Bloetner is a co-founder of CREATE Solutions, LLC and has been providing consulting services for school systems and non-profit organizations. She and her team are passionate about shifting learning outcomes for diverse learners in the United States and in the global community. She recently completed an Urban Superintendent Academy program, sponsored by Howard University and the Association of Administrators and Superintendents (AASA) and is currently enrolled in a Education Policy Fellowship Program with the Institute of Educational Leadership in Washington D.C. She recently published two books: Formative Assessment Strategies for English Language Learners with Teacher Created Materials, Inc and Leading Success for Diverse Learners: Transforming the Matrix of Your School System.

Susan Gordon is currently a Learning & Achievement Specialist for a major Mid-Atlantic metropolitan school district, where she collaborates with school and district leaders coaching for equitable access to standards aligned instruction and programming K-12. Susan regularly serves as consultant and facilitator for a variety of organizations on leading for multilingual learner success and standards aligned instruction for all learners. She also enjoys her role as adjunct professor for John Hopkins University and American University for the Urban Teacher Program in Washington, D.C. Susan has over 20 years of experience as a teacher of English learners, Curriculum Specialist, Learning & Achievement Specialist, Staff Developer, Teacher Leader Coach and Professional Learning Designer & Facilitator. She is certified as a specialist in English as a New Language, holds a Masters Degree in Educational Leadership, and possesses Educational Administrative I & II certification in Maryland. Susan grew up living all over Latin America and is fluent in Spanish, which sparked her passion for working with newcomer students, teaching English as a new language, and ensuring access and equity for all students.