Ask a Researcher – Contributors

Laura Schifter a research consultant working with states and advocacy organizations to analyze data on the identification, placement, and performance of students with disabilities. She completed her doctoral studies in the Education Policy, Leadership, and Instructional Practice Program at Harvard Graduate School of Education where she studied issues in special education. See full bio.

Mark Russo is the district supervisor of mathematics and computer science for the Pascack Valley Regional High School District in Montvale, NJ, and an adjunct professor at Montclair State University. He is interested in promoting equity in schools, supporting effective mathematics teaching and learning, and helping students experience the beauty and power of mathematics and statistics. He is currently exploring the development of algebraic reasoning in computer science and the utilization of quantitative reasoning through interdisciplinary connections between statistics and social studies (SASS).

Dr. Mary Wegner is the Superintendent in the Sitka School District in Sitka, Alaska, and her work focuses on transforming the learning landscape to be relevant for today’s students. Additionally, she is a strong advocate for digital-rich learning environments, as well as policies and funding that promote the value of public education to society. Mary is active in arts education organizations in Alaska, and works to end homelessness in her home community. She knows that the goal of graduating students who are thoughtful critical thinkers capable of positively contributing to our global society can only be achieved if all partners have a valid voice in the educational process. Learn more about Mary at https://marywegner.com.

Michael Nagler is the Superintendent of the Mineola School District, a suburb of NYC. Mike began his career as a social studies teacher in NYC.  While teaching he earned his doctorate from Columbia University and accepted an administrative position with Mineola in 1999. He believes strongly in the district’s mission to inspire students to become lifelong learners that exhibit strength of character and contribute positively to a global society. During his eighteen years with the district, he has been a big proponent of using technology to engage students in rigorous content.  Mike has also been instrumental in creating a platform to assess student learning using electronic portfolios and digital badges.  He even coded his own digital portfolio. All five schools in Mineola have been recognized as Apple distinguished schools.  Mineola is also a member of the League of Innovative Schools.

Noah Heller is a Lecturer on Education and the master teacher in residence in mathematics for the Harvard Teacher Fellows Program. His research focuses on how and why some students identify as “math persons.” He spent nine years as a high school math teacher before transitioning to training and mentoring math and science teachers. See full bio

Dr. Pamela R. Moran has served as the Superintendent of Albemarle County Public Schools since January 2006. Pam has provided 40 years of public education service in Virginia, beginning as a middle school science teacher in Orange County in 1975. From 2009 until 2011 she served on various committees and as an Officer in the Virginia Association of School Superintendents before being elected as the President of VASS in 2012. Pam holds a B.S. in Biology from Furman University and Master’s and Doctoral degrees from the University of Virginia.

Pamela A. Mason is the director of the Jeanne Chall Reading Lab and a senior lecturer at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. She studies how background knowledge and text complexity affect reading comprehension. She also researches the effectiveness of school-wide literacy programs. Mason is furthermore interested in the education of incarcerated youth. She is a former elementary school principal and language arts curriculum coordinator. Read full bio

Paola Uccelli is a professor at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. She studies literacy development and differences in skill levels among readers, with an emphasis on multilingual students. She has also researched ways to increase reading comprehension by focusing on how the words in a text connect. She has developed a tool to assess elementary and middle school students’ language skills, which teachers can use to provide more targeted interventions. Read full bio

Rebekah Kim is the Director of Instructional Supports in Highline Public Schools. In this role, she supports P-12 schools in several areas of work which include differentiation, highly capable, personalized learning and social emotional learning. Her passion for equity is the driving force and lens in which she approaches these areas of work in her support of students in Highline. Before Rebekah moved to central office, she spent 12 years as a building principal. During her principalship, she moved one of her schools to a K-6 comprehensive blended classroom model. Her instructional leadership involved the work around building culture shifts to a more innovative mindset to differentiate the varying learning needs of her 700+ students. She is passionate about family engagement, varying instructional planning for the academic and social emotional needs for all learners. For more information see Highline’s district website. You can also find Rebekah on Twitter @EdLeaderKim

Rhonda Bondie is a lecturer at the Harvard Graduate School of Education (HGSE) and faculty chair of the online professional education course,Differentiated Instruction Made Practical. After spending over 20 years teaching in public schools as both a general and special educator, she now researches inclusive teaching practices in schools all over the world. See full bio.

David Dockterman is a lecturer at the Harvard Graduate School of Education and an expert at putting education research into practice. His work currently focuses on how technology can support personalized learning for individuals and groups. He has designed dozens of award-winning educational computer programs. See full bio