Dr. Woodson is an educational leader and consultant with over 35 years in K–12 education, specializing in multilingual learners, bilingual special education, and school improvement. Over the course of her career, she has served as a teacher, specialist, supervisor, adjunct professor, expert reviewer, district Director of ESOL/Bilingual Programs, and elementary school principal, leading system-wide initiatives that strengthen instruction, leadership capacity, and equitable outcomes for diverse learners. Dr. Woodson partners with districts, school leaders, and instructional teams nationwide to design and implement evidence-based frameworks that improve teaching, learning, and organizational effectiveness.

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.

Dr. Mason is a former Chief for Special Education and Student Services, having provided leadership in the two largest school districts in the state of Maryland. Dr. Mason served a practitioner for 40 years. Dr. Mason continues to specialize in providing leadership, guidance and support to school districts and private schools that serve students with disabilities, while serving nationally as an advisory board member on the National Committee for Learning Disabilities. She has spoken on Capitol Hill twice advocating for the full funding of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.

Dr. Greene has been in education for over forty years, with thirty years in a variety of leadership positions, including Chief Academic Officer, Area Associate Superintendent, School Support and Leadership Instructional Director, Director of School Support and Improvement, and elementary principal. Through her supervision of Instructional Directors, who provide direct support and management to school principals, she oversaw the operations of sixty-seven schools, including twenty-five Title 1 schools, five public Charters, two schools for the performing arts, four Early Childhood Centers, and two Talented and Gifted schools. Her work in the school systems ensured the implementation and monitoring of the Baldrige-guided and Harvard School of Education Data Wise school improvement processes. Dr. Greene believes in the importance and value of principals as instructional leaders. She is passionate about the school system’s efforts to enhance principals’ capacity to improve teaching and learning conditions. Initiatives aimed at developing their ability to monitor the implementation of the instructional program guide these efforts.

Dr. Terri Savage served 30 years in public education. As a first-generation college graduate, Dr. Savage earned three degrees in special education. Her passion for educating children with diverse needs is rooted in her own experiences overcoming childhood adversity. This passion has guided a distinguished career across four Maryland school districts. Dr. Savage has worked in range of roles including teacher, staff development specialist, curriculum supervisor, instructional facilitator, executive director, and Chief Academic Officer.

Currently, Dr. Savage supervises student teaching interns in the School of Education at the University of Maryland. She is also an Adjunct Professor for Special Education at Johns Hopkins University, where she was honored as the inaugural Alumni Visionary Leader in Special Education for her outstanding contributions to the field. Dr. Savage is a certified professional coach and a member of the International Literacy Association, the Council of Exceptional Children, and the Council of Administrators in Special Education.

Diana K. Wyles, Esq., is a veteran special educator and attorney with deep experience in special education law and leadership. She has served as legal counsel for Baltimore City Public Schools and Prince George’s County Public Schools and previously led special education services in Montgomery County Public Schools as Associate Superintendent. Diana is currently practicing education law at PGCPS while pursuing a doctorate in special education leadership at the University of Maryland.