Emerge and Elevate Expert Educators

Emerge Pathway
Elevate Pathway
Michelle Fitzgerald

Michelle Fitzgerald, Ed.D.

Executive Director, School Advancement

Emerge and Elevate Pathways

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– Michelle Fitzgerald, Ed.D.

“We have a 100% success rate across the country because we go into each school and look at the SYSTEMS that can be improved. We coach the leadership team to identify these systems and how to fix them. We also have metrics that allow us to continuously monitor the systems. When those scores go up, student achievement goes up too.”

Dr. Michelle Fitzgerald is an Instructional Empowerment expert educator and the Executive Director of School Advancement for the Emerge and Elevate Pathways. Michelle and her colleague, Dr. Lindsay Elliott, work with schools across the country, supervising our field faculty and ensuring each project’s success.

Michelle has been an educator for more than 30 years. During that time, she has served as area superintendent – principal supervisor, assistant superintendent, director of curriculum, building administrator, and middle school teacher. Michelle has worked in three states and has experience in different types and sizes of districts – from suburban Chicago school districts; to the nation’s 7th largest district in Tampa, Florida; and a district that is 100% urban. She has experience with standards-based curriculum development, best practices in instructional delivery, and assessment with a focus on data-driven instruction. Michelle built instructional leadership in principals and assistant principals capitalizing on her extensive experience in curriculum, instruction, and assessment.

During her time in Florida, Michelle worked with some of the most struggling schools, collaborating with the instructional leadership teams. Due to the systems and structures put into place, and an intentional focus on instruction, many of her schools saw great gains and continued to see improvements in student achievement.

Michelle holds a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Illinois State University, a Master of Arts in Educational Leadership from Aurora University, and a Doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction from Northern Illinois University. Her dissertation, titled Student Involvement in the Formative Assessment Process, draws upon her belief that students can and should be active participants in their own learning and that all education should be data-driven.

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Lindsay Elliott, Ed.D.

Lindsay Elliott, Ed.D.

Field Director, School Advancementt

Emerge and Elevate Pathways

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– Lindsay Elliott, Ed.D.

“We are boots on the ground with our partner schools. We provide rich, on-going professional learning experiences focused on systems such as Conditions, Core Instruction, Collaboration, and Leadership. We support school growth by providing feedback, asking questions, and building systems of accountability with school leaders and teachers as they implement new learning. We thrive on becoming members of our schools’ communities because we love our work and continue to be energized by our partners.”

As Field Director of School Advancement for the Emerge and Elevate Pathways, Dr. Lindsay Elliott collaborates with Dr. Michelle Fitzgerald, and our field faculty, to ensure each of our partners across the country meet their improvement goals while strengthening their instructional capacity.

Dedicated to education for the past 20 years, Lindsay has supported several Title I schools as a school leadership coach, principal, assistant principal, math specialist and teacher. She led improvement efforts in a Virginia elementary school with 86% of students living in poverty and 58% English Learners, resulting in increased standardized test scores by 13% in Reading and Mathematics and 43% in Science.

Lindsay is deeply committed to fostering a positive, inclusive school culture with the collective belief that ALL students have strengths and can succeed. At her core, she believes in empowering and supporting others as they strive to reach their fullest potential within a framework of high expectations, collaboration, student-centered instruction, and FUN.

Lindsay holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from Penn State University and her Master’s Degree and Doctorate from Virginia Tech in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies.

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Enhance Expert Educators

Enhance Pathway
Penny Sell, M.Ed.

Penny Sell, M.Ed.

Executive Director, School Advancement

Enhance Pathways

Schedule a Meeting with Penny

– Penny Sell, M.Ed.

“Our focus is on supporting schools who are performing at a proficiency level that might be acceptable for some students but engages schools in hitting that next step of advancement to meet the needs of EVERY single student in the building. Our partnerships help schools develop an instructional vision that shifts classroom instruction from being highly teacher-centered to empowering students through team-centered instruction. We see how hard teachers are working and we know we really can’t ask any more of our teachers. That’s where the magic happens – teachers learn to plan tasks that allow students to experience learning in teams and students develop critical thinking skills that will ensure their success in all areas of their lives.”

Penny Sell, M.Ed., is the Executive Director of School Advancement for the Enhance Pathway at Instructional Empowerment, where she and her Field Director, Kimberly Harris, lead a team of school instructional leadership experts in supporting districts. Districts partner with Penny’s team for a variety of instructional leadership needs including executing a districtwide vision for effective instruction; empowering students through team-centered, high-quality instruction; evaluating and strengthening leadership teams; and building an instructional leadership pipeline.

A three-time Teacher of the Year, Penny has a career in education that spans four decades, excelling in the roles of teacher, school and district-level administrator, trainer, leadership coach, and consultant. She has dedicated the past 20 years to coaching and training school leaders, providing vital expertise in leadership development and high-quality instruction.

Penny worked in a large urban district in a variety of administrative, coaching, and teaching capacities, where she developed vast experiences as a leader and obtained a solid understanding of what good curriculum and instruction entail. As the Executive Director for Instructional Leadership Solutions, she enhances educational systems for children across the country. Ultimately, Penny holds herself responsible for the success of the students, teachers, leaders, and districts that partner with Instructional Empowerment.

Penny earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Exceptional Education from Central Michigan University and her Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from the University of Central Florida.

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Kimberly Harris, M.Ed.

Kimberly Harris, M.Ed.

Field Director, School Advancement

Enhance Pathways

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– Kimberly Harris, M.Ed.

“I’m an educator at heart—whether with children, adults, or leaders. My focus is to eliminate gaps and minimize the effects of some people not being able to experience the opportunities they should. As a leader and as a builder, I want to ensure that I’m affording ALL people the opportunity to experience what they dream and to live the life that they desire. I’m able to do that through the field work at Instructional Empowerment, and to spread that to the districts that we serve.”

As Field Director of School Advancement for the Enhance Pathway with Instructional Empowerment, Kim Harris, M.Ed., collaborates with Penny Sell, and our field faculty, to ensure each of our partners across the country meet their improvement goals while strengthening their instructional capacity. Scrum Master, builder of people, leadership strategist, and a Leader of Leaders, Kim has spent the last 20+ years using her voice in authentic ways to develop leaders in the essential components of leadership and strengthen their approach to the educators and the students they serve.

Prior to joining IE, Kim served as a classroom teacher, Curriculum Administrator, and High School Principal during her 14 years with Cleveland City Schools. As an educator, she dedicated her focus to the mission of exposing students to enriched learning experiences that were not otherwise afforded.

With Instructional Empowerment, Kim has been a Staff Developer, Conference Speaker, Leadership Coach, and District Lead. Her expertise in helping teachers and school leaders identify the components of rigorous instruction has been the conduit for schools to develop instructional strategies that meet the unique needs of today’s learners while enhancing student achievement, school climate, and overall morale. Kim’s leadership of a school with persistently low achievement scores, resulted in increased achievement for the first time in six years, allowing the school to exit state oversight. Kim’s work is tethered in her social mission to impact the people who impact the world – she is passionate about supporting leaders to shift their individual leadership styles and strategies to evoke change.

Kim attended Cleveland State University where she earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology and a Master’s Degree in Education with an emphasis on Adult Learning and Development. She is a Certified Scrum Master and uses her skills to strengthen internal systems, keeping leadership teams agile and responsive to changing demands while executing strategic initiatives.

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Model of Instruction Experts

Deana Senn, M.S.S.E.

Deana Senn, M.S.S.E.

Executive Director, Model of Instruction

Model of Instruction

Schedule a Meeting with Deana

– Deana Senn, M.S.S.E.

“I have a real passion for active learning in the classroom. I have worked with teachers and leaders extensively on how to increase student ownership by helping them understand their role in student learning.”

Deana Senn, M.S.S.E., serves as the Executive Director of Model of Instruction and is a school instructional model expert educator. She leads the creation and development of IE’s model of instruction content and coaching tools. She coaches and supports internal faculty to ensure the successful implementation of our model in all of our partnership schools. She frequently collaborates with other Executive Directors to design customized implementation supports that are culturally and linguistically relevant to students to activate the integrated development and practice of student agency.

Deana calls upon her 20+ years of experience in education to support leaders and teachers in increasing engagement, ensuring equity, and closing achievement gaps through student conversations and rigorous learning. She is an award-winning author, international speaker, and conducts research and development for Instructional Empowerment. Having experience that spans the United States and Canada in rural and urban districts, she is passionate about creating innovative solutions for all students, teachers, and leaders.

Deana holds a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry from Texas A&M University, and a Master of Science in Science Education from Montana State University.

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Jody Honaker, B.S.E.

Jody Honaker, B.S.E.

Field Director, Model of Instruction

Model of Instruction

Schedule a Meeting with Jody

– Jody Honaker, B.S.E.

“When students are given the opportunity to process, connect, and expand their thinking through conversations with their peers, learning has the potential of reaching heights we can only imagine.”

As Field Director of Model of Instruction with Instructional Empowerment, Jody Honaker, B.S.E., provides coaching and support to internal faculty with a heavy emphasis on the successful implementation of IE’s model of instruction in all schools served. Jody develops supportive content designed to empower teachers and strengthen core instruction for all students. She has presented at international and national conferences, as well as hosted webinars to support educators with building their craft and love for teaching and leading.

Jody has extensive experience supporting and empowering teachers and leaders by facilitating rigorous and engaging learning through PLCs, professional development, and classroom support. She has successfully devoted the last two decades to educational transformation, advocating her core belief that all children deserve a solid path for a successful future.

While serving as a Faculty Coach with IE, Jody was an instrumental player in the successful advancement of several of our partner schools in the state of Florida. Most specifically Lakewood Elementary, where core instruction was elevated to new heights during the 3-year partnership. The implementation of the model of instruction resulted in a successful transformation for all students, teachers, and leaders, as well as increased achievement.

Jody attended Florida Atlantic University where she earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Education.

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Other Expert Educators

Marguerite “Meg” Bowen, M.Ed.

Marguerite “Meg” Bowen, M.Ed.

Executive Director, Customer Experience
and Growth

Schedule a Meeting with Meg

– Meg Bowen, M.Ed.

“My focus is ensuring that the districts and schools we partner with find so much value in our partnership that they continue to work with us even after they have achieved their initial goals. Our ultimate goal is to help our partner schools achieve model school status where all students are engaged in rigorous learning activities and really achieving their full potential.”

Meg Bowen, M. Ed., serves as the Executive Director of Customer Experience and Growth where she works diligently to ensure districts value partnering with IE so much that they continue to collaborate with us even after they achieve their initial goals. She encourages partner schools to reach and achieve model school status, where all students are engaged in rigorous learning activities and achieve their full potential.

Meg also leads IE’s annual Building Expertise Conference, which provides partner districts and schools with opportunities to network with other educators from across the country while diving deeper into IE’s Model of Instruction and learning new strategies and tools to bring back to their own districts. As the Executive Director overseeing the conference, she provides unique opportunities for educators to connect around our shared social mission to end generational poverty and eliminate racial achievement gaps, which drives the heart of our work.

Meg has spent more than 30 years in the field of education serving students, teachers, and administrators in North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, and Florida, and believes education is the great equalizer. Meg has developed curriculum and supported its implementation in both elementary and secondary settings. After serving for several years as Assistant Principal and Principal, she became the Director of Elementary Curriculum for one of the nation’s largest school districts. Meg served on the Board of Directors for the Early Learning Coalition and on the Board of Advisors for the Children’s Movement, reflecting her dedication to early childhood and social justice. She feels her work with IE aligns perfectly with her passion for ensuring all students have access to a rigorous and engaging curriculum.

Meg attended UNC Charlotte where she earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education, and James Madison University where she earned a Master’s Degree in Reading. Meg also completed doctoral coursework in curriculum at the University of Maryland. She uses her skills to strengthen partnership experiences while actively supporting school districts across the nation in attaining their goals.

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