Effective Communication for School Leaders: A Forum

Nick Gaehde brings deep experience in the software and educational publishing worlds. He holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology with a focus on early childhood development from Pitzer College and a master’s degree from Boston University’s School of Management. Before joining Lexia in 2005, he served as president of Educators Publishing Service, Inc. (EPS), a publisher of literacy solutions for the K–8 market and has held various product management and marketing positions.

Denisa R. Superville was an assistant editor at Education Week who focused on principals and school leadership.

LaDonna Braswell is on a mission to redesign education for students and school staff. She leads North Parkway Middle School in Jackson, TN, as Senior Principal. Principal Braswell received her Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Tennessee at Martin. She earned her Master’s Degree from Union University and her Education Specialist Degree from Walden University. She has worked in various capacities, from an elementary teacher, instructional facilitator, New Leaders’ resident principal, and district coach in Shelby County. LaDonna Braswell joined Jackson Madison County Schools in 2015 as the assistant principal of Pope Elementary, five years of principalship at Lincoln Elementary, and two years as principal of the scholars at North Parkway. Her positive attitude and love of colleagues, parents, scholars, and the community are reflected in the outstanding quality of the programs she has maintained as a teacher, instructional coach, and administrator. Principal Braswell has been the presenter at leadership conferences and the keynote speaker for many nationwide events. She has received many awards while serving as principal. Ms. Braswell is a very visible instructional leader and states that the best part of her job is working with the future and creating programs that positively influence their lives.

Cindy Cromwell was born, raised, and started her educational career in Toppenish, Washington located on the Yakama Indian Reservation. For the last 22 years she has been an administrator with the Kelso School District in Kelso, Washington. Cindy has taught at the high school level, served as an Assistant Principal at Coweeman Middle School (grades 6-8) for seven years, served as Principal of Butler Acres Elementary (k-5) for 13 years, and is currently the principal of Loowit High School and Kelso Virtual Academy (k-12). She has been recognized as a National Association of Secondary School Principals 2021 National Digital Principal of the Year.

Takeru “TK” Nagayoshi is the 2020 Massachusetts Teacher of the Year, Professional Learning Director for Community Events at Panorama Education, and a former high school AP English and research teacher in New Bedford, Mass.

Marina Whiteleather is the director of social media and audience engagement for Education Week.

Stephanie McConnell got her start as an award-winning elementary school principal. Pulling from her background, she started the blog Principal Principles to give school leaders advice on how to make lasting positive changes in their schools. She also offers leadership consulting and has co-authored two books. Instagram is her favorite platform to use in her work, and she has over 10,000 followers who engage with her account for inspiration and laughs.

Dr. Salome Thomas-EL is currently a K-8 principal in Wilmington, DE, and has received national acclaim as a teacher and chess coach at Vaux Middle School in Philadelphia.. Principal EL was a regular contributor on “The Dr. Oz Show” and is the author of the best-selling books, I Choose to Stay (Movie rights optioned by Disney Films), and The Immortality of Influence (Foreword by Will Smith), which stresses the importance of leadership, mentoring, parenting and service to others. He is also the co-author of 3 new books, Passionate Leadership, Building a Winning Team, and Retention for a Change. Dr. EL speaks to groups around the country and frequently appears on C-SPAN, CNN, and NPR Radio. He has received the Marcus A. Foster Award as the outstanding School District Administrator in Philadelphia and the University of Pennsylvania’s distinguished Martin Luther King Award. Reader’s Digest Magazine recognized Principal EL as an “Inspiring American Icon.” Dr. EL recently appeared on Good Morning America and was featured on the Oprah Radio Network.

Stacey Decker was the deputy managing editor for digital at Education Week.