How Engaging Classrooms Reduce Chronic Absenteeism and Boost Enrollment

About the Presenters

Jessica Huizenga is a visionary educational leader with over two decades of experience in organizational transformation and operational excellence across diverse academic settings. Her expertise spans K-12 districts, nonprofits, and higher education partnerships, with a proven track record of implementing innovative solutions and achieving measurable results.

As the Founder and CEO of Instructional Associates, Jessica provides strategic educational services to school districts and alternative schools nationwide. Her focus on leadership development and instructional excellence has successfully redesigned frameworks for multiple urban districts and established high-quality teaching and learning systems.

As the Superintendent of Schools for Milford School District, Jessica led the district through the COVID-19 pandemic while maintaining educational quality. Her new 5-year District Strategic Plan resulted in a 10 percentage point increase in student achievement, demonstrating her exceptional leadership and strategic planning skills.

As state-appointed Receiver for Southbridge Public Schools, Jessica executed a comprehensive turnaround plan that met 90% of benchmarks and secured a $1.9M school redesign grant. Earlier, at Freetown Lakeville Regional, she successfully facilitated $2.4M in overrides, including $903K for technology infrastructure. At Cambridge Public Schools, she spearheaded the district’s first Comprehensive Curriculum Review, helping move the district out of Level 3 status to become one of only three Level 2 urban districts in the state.

Jessica holds a Doctor of Education in Leadership in Schooling from the University of Massachusetts. She has earned certificates in Social Impact Management and Leadership from Tufts University and Advanced Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion from Cornell University. She was selected as a Floretta McKenzie Fellow for the AASA/Howard University National Urban Superintendent’s Academy.

Craig Vaughn is the Superintendent and Principal of Springfield Township School District in Jobstown, New Jersey, bringing 27 years of educational experience to his role as Chief School Administrator—a position he has held for a decade. He began his career as a fourth-grade teacher before transitioning into administration with roles in curriculum and special services at the Southampton Township School District, where he also supported the Tabernacle Township School District.

Mr. Vaughn later served as Director of Human Resources for Marlboro Township School District, overseeing operations across eight schools and supporting 5,000 students and 900 employees. These diverse experiences have equipped him to effectively address the unique needs of Springfield Township. In 2024, he was named “Unruliest Principal” in the Unruly Educator Awards, recognizing his leadership in integrating computer science into classrooms and promoting creative thinking among students and staff.

James Sanders is the Product Marketing Manager at Unruly Studios, where he champions the transformative potential of Unruly Math and Unruly Code for K-12 education. With over 15 years of experience in the field, James has helped introduce tools like Chromebooks, YouTube for Education, and Breakout EDU to schools. His efforts focus on empowering educators with innovative strategies to enhance learning and engagement in the classroom. His background in integrating technology into education is complemented by his background as the founder and CEO of Breakout EDU, a Presidential Innovation Fellow at the White House, and an Innovation Manager for KIPP Schools. James holds a master’s in elementary education from Loyola Marymount University and a bachelor’s in social studies from Western Washington University. Outside of his professional endeavors, he is passionate about photography and adventures with his young family.