The Competitive Advantage: Prepare Students for Life and Work

About the Presenters

Dr. Keith Parker is a passionate educator and innovative leader dedicated to ensuring that every student is equipped to lead a choice-driven life. A native of Four Oaks, North Carolina, he earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in history education from East Carolina University and a doctorate in educational leadership. He also completed the distinguished Northeast Leadership Academy (NELA) program at NC State University, designed to prepare school leaders to serve rural communities in Northeastern North Carolina. Dr. Parker began his career as a social studies teacher at SouthWest Edgecombe High School before becoming Principal of Martin Millennium Academy, a K–8 magnet school known for its Spanish Dual Language Immersion program and commitment to student achievement.

He has served in multiple district-level roles—including communications director, secondary school director, and assistant superintendent—and now serves as Superintendent of Elizabeth City–Pasquotank Public Schools. Throughout his career, Dr. Parker has championed collaboration and innovation in education. His leadership philosophy centers on transforming public schools to meet the evolving needs of 21st-century learners—ensuring that high educational outcomes are not the exception, but the expectation for every student.

Francesca Ver Ploegh is the Assistant Superintendent of Magnet Schools for Albuquerque Public Schools (APS) and formerly served as the Executive Director of Innovation. For the past seven years, she has also led the district’s Magnet Schools Assistance Program (MSAP), guiding a dedicated team in delivering and fostering innovative practices across APS Magnet Schools.

Francesca believes that effective collaboration is essential to building strong partnerships and cultivating a thriving TEAM culture. With 24 years of experience in a large urban district, she has focused her leadership on advancing programs in STEM, dual language, college and career readiness, International Baccalaureate, fine arts, and project-based learning. Her work reflects a deep commitment to educational innovation, excellence, and equitable opportunities for all students.

Jon Wren is the Director of Magnet Schools for Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools (MNPS), where he leads districtwide efforts in school innovation, strategic planning, partner engagement, and leadership development. Under his direction, MNPS secured nearly $45 million in federal funding through successful Magnet Schools Assistance Program (MSAP) grant awards in 2020, 2023, and 2024—one of the largest cumulative MSAP award totals in the nation.

Jon is known for cultivating impactful partnerships with organizations such as National Public Radio, Magnet Schools of America, AVID, the Nashville Public Education Foundation, Participate Learning, MEG Languages, and the foreign ministries of Japan and Ireland. Through these collaborations, he works to reframe the public education narrative by highlighting stories of innovation, opportunity, and meaningful connection.

He also played a central role in the development of The Promise, a limited-run, Peabody Award-winning podcast series that explores school desegregation amid rapid neighborhood change in Nashville. Jon has been a featured presenter and guest lecturer with Vanderbilt University’s Peabody College of Education, Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence, and other national education platforms. Outside of work, Jon is a below-average skier, has been stranded in airports over Christmas two years in a row, and once received a ticket for driving too slowly. He lives in Middle Tennessee with his family.

With over 20 years of professional experience, Freebird McKinney’s journey has taken him from teaching high school social studies, to advocating for educational policies at the NC State Board of Education, and now fostering international partnerships at Participate Learning. At the core, professional learning, educational thought leadership, and curriculum development are the global skills and competencies that his experience brings to the table. Their team’s mission is dedicated to enhancing global learning opportunities, and his mission aligns with the company’s vision to empower educators and students globally. Through collaboration and strategic outreach, they’re crafting innovative solutions to promote global competitiveness, cultural understanding, and academic excellence.