DOUG LEMOV's highly influential best-selling book, Teach Like a Champion, was based on his study of top teachers in high-poverty public schools. He uses what he learned watching great teachers work their magic to train educators as part of his work at Uncommon Schools, the nonprofit school management organization he helped found. Lemov is also the author of Practice Perfect: 42 Rules for Getting Better at Getting Better, an engaging book on the importance of practice. He holds a Bachelor of Arts from Hamilton College, a Master of Arts from Indiana University, and an MBA from the Harvard Business School.

COLLEEN DRIGGS is a Professional Development Specialist. She previously taught fifth grade reading and served as the Reading Department Chair at True North Rochester Prep, a member of the Uncommon Schools. Colleen joined Rochester Prep in 2007 and worked alongside the Head of School as part of the school's Leadership Team to ensure that all students were on the path to success in college. She began her career in education through Teach for America in 2002, serving as a fifth grade science teacher at M.S. 390 in the South Bronx. Driggs then taught fifth and sixth grade science at East Harlem Village Academy, and then spent two years teaching reading and science at Elm City College Prep in New Haven, CT. She holds a B.A. in Psychology from Hamilton College and an M.A. in Elementary Education from Pace University.

ERICA WOOLWAY is the Chief Academic Officer of Uncommon Schools. In this capacity, she is responsible for leading external workshops, creating training materials for both internal and external use, and for the continuing work on Middle School Reading. Prior to her current role, Woolway was the Director of Staff Development for two Uncommon Networks. She joined Uncommon in 2006 as the Founding Dean of Students at Leadership Prep Bedford Stuyvesant Charter School. Woolway began her career through Teach For America in Lynwood, CA, where she co-chaired the Kindergarten grade level at Agnes Elementary School and was a Regional Finalist for the Sue Lehmann Award for Excellence in Teaching. She then worked as a school counselor at Orange High School in New Jersey and Hunter College High School in New York City, and also worked with families as a caseworker in Camden, New Jersey. Woolway holds a B.A. in Psychology from Duke University, an Ed.M. in School Counseling from Teachers College, and an M.A. in School Leadership from National Louis University.