Beyond the Plan: Measuring, Adjusting, and Realigning Strategies for Success

About the Presenters

Dr. Jillian Whatley, Director of Professional Learning at the Center for Model Schools, attended Miles College in Birmingham, Alabama where she received her B.S. in education. She continued her education at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville where she received her M.S. in education. She attended Gallaudet University in Washington, DC to obtain an M.A. in developmental psychology and a specialist degree in school psychology, both with an emphasis in deafness. Dr. Whatley also uses American Sign Language. Dr. Whatley successfully completed her doctoral doctorate at Mercer University in May 2018. Dr. Whatley’s dissertation was entitled Implicit Bias as a Contributing Factor to Disproportionality of African Americans in Special Education: The Promise of a Bias Literacy Intervention. Dr. Whatley is the founder of Jillian Whatley and Associates, LLC. Jillian Whatley and Associates, LLC provides consulting services to education, private, and non-profit organizations in diversity and inclusion, implicit bias, and organization trauma and resilience.

Dr. Marc J. Cohen is an Instructional Leadership Coach at the Center for Model Schools. With an expertise in education and transformational leadership, he is an evidence-based, data-driven practitioner who promotes equitable and culturally responsive experiences, empowers staff, cultivates leadership skills in others, and creates conditions that build personal agency. Dr. Cohen earned his bachelor’s degree in English, secondary education from Towson State University, his master’s degree in education leadership from Western Maryland College, and his education doctorate degree in education leadership from the University of Nebraska, Lincoln. Dr. Cohen’s dissertation was centered on identifying the common leadership traits of principals in high-performing, high-poverty schools.

Dr. Joshua P. Starr believes all students should have the ability to learn at high levels in safe, supportive, and equitable schools. As Managing Partner of The Center for Model Schools, he wants it to continue to be a source of strength and learning for teachers and school and system leaders as they advance equity and excellence agendas in their schools and districts. Before joining the Center, Dr. Starr served as CEO of PDK International, one of the oldest professional membership organizations for educators, helping members deepen their expertise, advance their careers, and experience better results in education research, classrooms, and schools. During his time there, he led the expansion and implementation of Educators Rising, a national program that inspires high school students to become educators. Prior to joining PDK, Dr. Starr was Superintendent of Montgomery County Public Schools in Maryland for four years, and previously Superintendent of Stamford, Connecticut schools for six years. As a superintendent, Dr. Starr led systemwide transformation efforts grounded in equity, excellence, and engagement.