Leading Literacy Through Change: How District Leaders Sustain Momentum and Accelerate Outcomes

About the Presenters

Dr. Terra Greenwell is a nationally recognized K-12 education leader and Strategic Academic Advisor specializing in systems leadership, change management, and initiative-driven transformation. As a speaker, advisor, and strategic partner, she guides public school districts, non-profit organizations, and for-profit education entities on scaling high-impact academic systems, advancing educational equity, and navigating complex organizational change. Dr. Greenwell’s strategic advising is backed by a distinguished career in executive district leadership, most recently serving as the Chief Academic Officer for Jefferson County Public Schools (Louisville, KY), where she oversaw academic programming for 97,000 students. A proven innovator, she pioneered the district’s middle school Explore Pathways to provide future-focused career exploration starting in the sixth grade.

As CAO, she engineered a historic, districtwide adoption of high-quality instructional resources, revised the district’s early literacy program, and established critical adolescent literacy shifts through an evidence-based, research-backed framework. Crucially, Dr. Greenwell developed Journey to Success, an innovative accountability model built to provide structural validity and operationalize the Portrait of a Graduate framework into measurable, real-world student outcomes. Holding a doctorate in educational leadership and organizational development, Dr. Greenwell focuses her advisory work heavily on rethinking legacy assessment and accountability models to center student readiness on durable, future-focused skills. Her national standing and insights are continuously shaped by her active leadership within the country’s most innovative educational networks. She collaborates regularly with superintendents, researchers, and corporate boards through the Education Research and Development Institute (ERDI), the National Council of Innovative Instructional Leaders (NCIIL), and the AASA Women’s Leadership Consortium to influence the national dialogue and drive systemic progress across the K-12 landscape.

Dr. Glenda Sheffield is the Superintendent of Hampton County School District, bringing more than three decades of distinguished experience in education leadership. She has served in positions that spanned the full spectrum of educational leadership, including teacher, assistant principal, principal, instructional superintendent, and chief academic officer. A passionate advocate for academic excellence and equity, Dr. Sheffield has led transformative initiatives throughout her career. She successfully closed achievement gaps across the elementary, middle, and high school levels, mentored and coached school leaders to strengthen instructional practices and foster leadership development, and collaborated with district stakeholders to align curriculum resources and ensure rigorous standards-based instruction for all students.

Dr. Sheffield’s academic credentials reflect her commitment to lifelong learning. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Voorhees University, a Master of Education in Business Education from Bowling Green State University, and both an Educational Specialist and a doctorate in educational leadership from Nova Southeastern University. She has also completed prestigious leadership programs at Harvard University’s Principal Leadership Academy and the Atlantic Research Partners National Superintendent Academy. Beyond her professional accomplishments, Dr. Sheffield is deeply rooted in family and community. She is the proud mother of two adult children, Kayla and Martest III, and has shared over 30 years of marriage with her husband, Martest Jr. Her unwavering dedication to student success and leadership development continues to inspire educators and communities nationwide.

Dr. Deann Collins currently serves as the Chief of Staff for Prince George’s County Public Schools (PGCPS). In this role, she acts as the “connective tissue,” keeping cross-functional efforts moving toward a single vision, while supporting the implementation of the superintendent’s vision and administration. She ensures coherence and accountability across the executive team, facilitates strategic initiatives, and promotes an equitable educational experience for all students. Dr. Collins brings nearly 30 years of state- and district-level expertise to PGCPS.

She previously served as the Deputy State Superintendent for Teaching and Learning at the Maryland State Department of Education, where she led nationally recognized initiatives in literacy, special education reform, and the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future. Notably, she spearheaded the development of Maryland’s first Pre-K to 3 Comprehensive Literacy Policy. Her journey in education began in the classroom as a teacher for Montgomery County Public Schools. Over her three-decade career, she has served at every level of the system—from principal and school improvement specialist to central office director. As a proud Prince George’s County resident and parent, her deep commitment to educational equity and excellence is deeply personal.

About the Moderator

Dr. Donna Wright has served in many roles in her 40-plus-year career as an educator. She has positively influenced the educational field as a classroom teacher, assistant principal, principal, assistant superintendent, deputy director, and school superintendent. Dr. Wright earned her doctorate in leadership studies from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville. She has been published in numerous educational journals, invited to present at national and state conferences, and has served as an adjunct professor at various institutions of higher learning. Although Dr. Wright recently retired from K-12 public education, she continues to support and consult with colleagues and school districts around the country. Currently, she serves as the AASA Lead Superintendent, directing the National Women’s Leadership Consortium, and collaborates with public school districts around the country.