About the Presenters

Susanna Loeb is a Professor and Faculty Director of the Education Policy Initiative at the Graduate School of Education at Stanford University. She is also the Founder and Executive Director of the National Student Support Accelerator, which aims to expand access to high-impact tutoring to address inequities in educational opportunities. Prior to returning to Stanford in 2023, Susanna led the Annenberg Institute at Brown University, where she was also a Professor of Education and International and Public Affairs.

Susanna’s research focuses broadly on education policy and its role in improving educational opportunities for students. Her work has addressed issues of educator career choices and professional development, school finance and governance, and early childhood systems. Before moving to Brown, Susanna was the Barnett Family Professor of Education at Stanford. She was the Founding Director of the Center for Education Policy at Stanford and Co-director of Policy Analysis for California Education. Susanna led the research for both Getting Down to Facts projects for California schools. She is an affiliate of NBER and JPAL and a member of the National Academy of Education and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.

Angelin Thompson is a dedicated educator with a passion for academic excellence. She holds a Bachelor of Science in education and a Master of Education in curriculum and instruction. With 23 years in education, Angelin is the Director of Extended Academic Learning for Denver Public Schools. She has been a tireless advocate for quality education, committed to innovation and understanding effective teaching methodologies. She has influenced the academic trajectory of many students.

Her expertise in curriculum development and instructional strategies has been vital in creating engaging learning environments. Her leadership ensures every student has access to high-quality education beyond the conventional classroom. Additionally, Angelin mentors educators, contributing to their professional development. Her experience and forward-thinking approach make her a trailblazer in education. Angelin’s commitment to educational excellence and leadership acumen make her a key figure in shaping the future of education in Denver and beyond.

Sarah Wilson serves as the Tutoring and Policy Administrator for the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce. She is responsible for all of the state and federally funded tutoring programs supporting local implementation efforts for high-dosage tutoring. Prior to her role supporting high-dosage tutoring in Ohio, Sarah supported Ohio’s college and career readiness initiatives for the Department and held roles in development, grant writing, and fundraising for nonprofit organizations and higher education institutions.

About the Moderator

Since her start with Cignition in March 2021, Toni Rader has led K-12 online tutoring programs. As the Vice President of Learning Quality and Operations, Toni oversees the full staff cycle, from recruitment to training, and supervises a team of Program & Client Success Managers to ensure top-notch services for tutors, staff, and students. As the Product Manager, she spearheads user research to help prioritize new features and informs design and development decisions for the company’s tutoring platform and data dashboard.

Before Cignition, Toni held multiple positions during her 30-year career at the Washoe County School District, spanning from District Staff Development Administrator to Data Interpretation Trainer and teacher. Equipped with a master’s degree in education administration and project management certification along with specialized training in several educational domains, she leverages her vast experience to excel at Cignition and significantly contribute to its growth and mission.