A network led by educators

The Lead for Learners steering committee represents a diverse array of learning communities from 10 states. These dedicated members work collaboratively to set priorities, identify key challenges and design practical solutions for the network. Their leadership ensures that the network is driven by those who are directly shaping the future of education and remains responsive to the needs of educators and students alike.

Meet our leadership team  

Our steering committee members play an essential role in guiding the direction of our network, and we are grateful for their leadership, vision and dedication. Current priorities include:

• Designing programs and resources that support current and emerging leaders
• Growing a national professional learning community focused on leading in personalized, competency-based systems
• Collectively advocating for more equitable, student-centered education systems

Meet the 2024-25 steering committee:

• Carmen Coleman
  Chief of Transformational Learning and Leading
  Ohio Valley Education Cooperative
  Louisville, Kentucky
• Brenda Diaz
  Dual Executive Principal
  Nashville Big Picture High School and Metro Nashville Virtual School
  Nashville, Tennessee
• Hector Estrada
  Teaching & Learning Coordinator (Secondary)
  Mesa Public Schools
  Mesa, Arizona
• Jeni Gotto
  Superintendent
  Westminster Public Schools
  Westminster, Colorado
• Christina Guevara
  Teacher Apprenticeship Educational Specialist
  Utah State Board of Education
  Salt Lake City, Utah
• Robert Knisely
  Principal
  Perry Middle School
  Perry, Ohio
• Casey Lefler
  Instructional Integration Specialist
  Rock Hill School District
  Rock Hill, South Carolina
• Ian McDougall
  History Teacher and EdTech Coach
  Yuma Union High School District
  Yuma, Arizona
• Briana Morales
  2023 Illinois State Teacher of the Year
  English Teacher
  Gorden Bush Alternative Center
  East St. Louis District 189
  East St. Louis, Illinois
• Laura Jeanne Penrod
  2024 Nevada State Teacher of the Year
  English Teacher
  Southwest Career and Technical Academy
  Clark County School District
  Las Vegas, Nevada
• Kristen Watkins
  Director of Personalized Learning
  Akiba Yavneh Academy
  Dallas, Texas
• Erin Yates
  CTE Coach
  Olmsted Academy South
  Jefferson County School District
  Louisville, Kentucky

The power of collaboration

To ensure a sustainable approach to educator involvement in key aspects of the work, the steering committee called for the development of two working groups – one that would focus on leadership development and one that would focus on advocacy initiatives.

Working groups

Bringing together more than 50 educators from 18 states, the Lead for Learners working group members collaborate closely with the steering committee on a range of projects, including the development of professional learning opportunities and resources and co-designing advocacy initiatives aimed at scaling personalized, competency-based learning systems.