Maia Appleby - Consultant
Maia Appleby has more than 15 years of experience in managing, developing and designing WordPress websites, primarily in the education space. She’s skilled at technical, creative, and editorial work, so she can deliver solid design along with copywriting, proofreading, and messaging refinement as needed. In short, she’ll give you an impactful, user-friendly, attractive web presence that’s accessible, mobile-friendly, and search-engine optimized. Maia believes that good marketing is grounded in empathy; the way to connect with an audience is to see through their eyes and build content that resonates. She’s equipped to take this approach with your web design, as her experience in the education/edtech industry has given her a broad understanding of the personas within the audience, as well as their priorities and challenges. Since 2018, Maia has been leading the digital strategy for the American Consortium for Equity in Education at ace-ed.org. She created the website and built it out to include interactive features like an awards program, a digital journal and functionality to submit press releases, articles and other materials. She also works with companies, and organizations as a marketing and brand consultant, providing a wide array of services to support and advance their marketing and communications activities.
Dr. Eliz Colbert - Consultant
Dr. Eliz Colbert is the Executive Director Emeritus for NC Virtual Public School where she served for nine years. NC Virtual is the nation's second-largest virtual school with over 55,000 student enrollments annually. The school opened in 2007 so the program was well established and able to support educators across NC during the pandemic of 2020.
In addition, Dr. Colbert has over thirty years in service to NC public schools including twelve years as a school administrator and six years leading professional learning initiatives at the state and local levels. She is skilled in engaging participants in the traditional setting as well as online. Meeting facilitation, strategic planning, executive coaching, and collaborative team building are all strength areas.
She graduated from the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill and received a doctorate from Teachers College, Columbia University. She is the proud mother of two children who attend NC public schools. You can learn more about Eliz on LinkedIn and connect via Twitter @E_Colbert.
Dr. Méroudjie Denis - Consultant
Dr. Méroudjie Denis, is a Licensed Psychologist, Licensed Master Social Worker and educational consultant, with over 16 years of experience working in the fields of mental health and education. She currently works for Momentous Institute, a non-profit organization dedicated to building and repairing social emotional health through education, therapeutic services, research and training. Méroudjie divides her time between clinical practice, consulting, and training. Through her role as a child and adolescent psychologist, she provides trauma informed care to children and families, from a culturally sensitive framework. As an educational consultant, Méroudjie closely collaborates with school administrators who wish to incorporate social emotional health practices into their systems. She regularly provides supervision to doctoral trainees, hoping to inspire and support the next generation of psychologists. In addition, Méroudjie is a trainer and public speaker on the neurobiological impact of trauma on children, including her Tedx talk, “Breaking the Myth of the Bad Student.” Formerly, Méroudjie worked as an educator, serving pre-school aged children with special needs. Her passion for mental health and education has led her to become a strong advocate for education reform. She hopes to change the course of mental health in schools through a lens of equity and social justice. Her education includes a Ph.D in psychology, with a specialization in school neuro-psychology, a Master of Science in social work, and a Bachelor of Arts in psychology. Méroudjie loves exploring the world, learning new languages and hopes to one day make it to every continent.
Dr. Wendy Drexler - Consultant
Dr. Wendy Drexler has been a champion for empowered online learning for over 20 years. As assistant professor at Johns Hopkins University, she redesigned and managed the Digital Age Learning and Educational Technology MS Program. Prior to that, Wendy served as Chief Innovation Officer for the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) and continues to serve as ISTE faculty. Most recently she worked on the development of the ISTE Certified Educator program. As Director of Online Development at Brown University, she led the design and production of Brown’s first online master degree programs. As a post doc at the University of Florida, she managed the research portion of the Enhancing Education Through Technology (EETT) federal Title II grant across 23 school districts in Florida. Before earning a Ph.D and Ed.S in educational technology, Wendy managed eLearning design teams at IBM and AT&T. She has taught in elementary, middle, and high school in both public and Independent school settings. As a high school teacher, she developed the first blended learning courses for Shorecrest Preparatory School in St. Petersburg. Her research interests include student construction of personal learning environments, balancing teacher control with student agency, and advancing the processes that support empowered online learning.
Vickie Echols - Consultant
Vickie Echols, M.Ed., is a dedicated consultant with Wellness for Educators and Consult4Ed Group, based in Dallas, Texas. Passionate about nurturing educational communities, she is an author, coach, and facilitator of workshops for teachers and school leaders, aiming to foster a culture of support and development. Currently, Vickie is exploring how generative AI—technology that can create content and assist in decision-making—supports sustainable productivity and intentional well-being for educators. This innovative approach aligns with her commitment to integrating modern solutions into educational practices. With over forty years of experience spanning the PK-20 continuum, Vickie has worn many hats, including Elementary and Middle School Teacher, Campus Principal, District Director of Curriculum, and Director of Communication. Her comprehensive background underscores her dedication to continuous learning and growth within the field of education.
EDU Café Contributions
Podcast Episodes
Blog Posts
Chase Eskelsen - Consultant
Chase Eskelsen M.Ed. spent over a decade in various education positions. He started his education career as an administrator focused on strong operational metrics and scaling full-time, online schools (both charter and district). Upon leaving the school management position he supported K12 Inc. with one foot in the academic policy world and the other in government affairs supporting digital educational options. He then served as the Chief Operating Officer of Verano Learning Partners where he oversaw launching new hybrid schools and supporting the acquisition of educational opportunities until starting Fersken Education LLC in late 2021.
Dr. Aileen Fullchange - Consultant
Dr. Aileen Fullchange (she/her/hers) is Licensed Psychologist and a Nationally Certified School Psychologist. She is Taiwanese-American and speaks Spanish and English. Dr. Fullchange has a background as a public school teacher and department chair in Oakland, CA, and an educational consultant for Title I schools nationwide. She received her Ph.D. in Counseling, Clinical, and School Psychology from the University of California, Santa Barbara and now resides in Dallas, TX where she works at the crossroads of psychological well-being, education, and equity as a clinician, assessor, supervisor, and workshop facilitator. She is the founder of Fullchange Therapy (www.drfullchange.com), which serves predominantly BIPOC families and community members. She specializes in healing from complex intergenerational trauma, is trained in somatic experiencing and trauma-sensitive yoga, and is passionate about building individual and collective resilience.
Milo Grammer - Consultant
Milo is a graphic designer, artist, and roller derby coach living in Portland, Maine. After working as a reprographics manager of a print shop for three years, they went back to school to focus on their design skills. In May 2011, they graduated from the New England School of Art & Design with a Master of Arts in Graphic Design. A few months later, they started their graphic design firm. They have worked on print and web design projects for several companies including Gift & Housewares Marketing, HTI Buying Group, Triumph Books, Touchstone Associates, Maine Roller Derby, Turn Two Skate Shop, Student Universe, Light Impressions, and the Northern New England Poison Center. They also worked for over two years as the lead designer at Artist & Craftsman Supply in Portland. They love graphic design because it allows them to engage both sides of their brain—the creative and the analytical. They have dabbled in drawing, painting, bookmaking, sculpture, jewelry making, 3D modeling, and photography. They are a creative problem-solver that loves learning new creative techniques.
Dr. Tyler Guenette - Consultant
Dr. Tyler Guenette has over a decade of experience working with educational organizations non-profits, and launching entrepreneurial ventures, Tyler has honed his skills and garnered a deep understanding of diverse industries. Throughout his career, he has achieved success by embracing innovation, adaptability, and collaboration. He possesses a unique ability to envision the bigger picture and effectively chart a path toward realizing ambitious goals.
Dr. Guenette earned his doctorate from Johns Hopkins University, specializing in entrepreneurial leadership. His dissertation focused on transfer commuter student sense of belonging and perceived support networks. He holds a master's degree in Student Affairs Administration from Michigan State University and a bachelor's degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Tyler also earned an Executive Education Chief of Staff certification from the University of Oxford.
Dr. Rebecca Itow - Consultant
Dr. Rebecca C. Itow is Principal of IU High School Online. She earned her PhD in Learning Sciences from Indiana University, and was a public high school teacher. Driven to facilitate safe spaces for learners to navigate their academic journeys in valuable and valued ways, Rebecca researches, designs, and implements Responsive Online Pedagogical practices in online learning environments. Her work guides current University & community partnerships that innovate online teaching, learning, and design.
EDU Café Contributions
Podcast Episodes
Blog Posts
Shomari Jones - Consultant
Shomari Jones is the Director of Equity and Strategic Engagement at Bellevue School District. He leads staff in thoughtful exploration of institutionalized racism and its impact on student learning and mentors students to raise their social awareness and help them feel more connected and engaged in the district and their communities, which has resulted in a community-wide conversation, bringing to light racial and socio-economic inequities. He serves as a powerful advocate for and witness to the experiences of students of color to help district leaders identify, confront, disrupt, and dismantle structures that limit the potential of those students. He developed several student empowerment initiatives like Students Organized Against Racism (SOAR), Breaking Out Of the Margins (BOOM), and Sistahs Having Outstanding Uniqueness Together (SHOUT), as well as parent advocacy groups like the Parent Alliance for Black Scholars (PABS). In 2019, Shomari was recognized as a “Leader to Learn From” by Education Week. He has served as the Chief Operating Officer at the Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle, a not-for-profit organization with 82 years of activism and community experience in the heart of Seattle’s most diverse neighborhood, the Central District. Shomari also volunteers at the Seattle University Center for Social Transformation and Leadership and the Bellevue Police Chief Diversity Committee. He holds a Bachelors in Science in Mathematics from Tuskegee University and has a daughter in college.
EDU Café Contributions
Podcast Episodes
Blog Posts
Dr. Kathryn Kennedy - Founder & Principal
Dr. Kathryn Kennedy is founder and principal consultant of Consult4ED Group. In the past, Kathryn served as the Director of the Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute, the research arm of Michigan Virtual, Director of Research for the International Association for K-12 Online Learning (iNACOL) (now the Aurora Institute), adjunct professor and advisor for the Ed.D. program at the Johns Hopkins University School of Education, and assistant professor of instructional technology at Georgia Southern University. She served on the Leadership Team for the National Standards for Quality Online Learning. She is one of the founding editors-in-chief of both the Journal of Online Learning Research and the Handbook of Research on K-12 Online and Blended Learning. In addition to her love for education and research is her love for wellness. She combined her work in education and wellness to serve as founder and executive director of Wellness for Educators, formerly a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and now a program of Consult4Ed Group, that is invested in and passionate about supporting educators worldwide with research-based, trauma- and equity-informed trainings, coaching, and strategies for social, emotional, mental, and physical health and wellbeing through a variety of somatic (or mind-body) practices. She is author of the book The Mind-Body Connection for Educators (Jossey-Bass, spring 2023). Kathryn is also a certified somatics coach and is accepting individual and group coaching clients through Embodied Change Coaching.
EDU Café Contributions
Blog Posts
Liz Kennedy - Project Associate
Liz’s work at Consult4ED Group focuses on project management, finances, website design, instructional design, proofreading, and editing. She also serves as the Chief Operations Officer of Wellness for Educators. Liz holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Natural Science with certification in Early Childhood Education from Lesley University and has worked as an administrator and project manager for health-related and education-based organizations for over 25 years. Liz is a yoga practitioner and earned a 500-hr Yoga Teacher Training certificate (YTT).
Kim Loomis - Consultant
Kim Loomis has over 20 years in growing K-12 digital learning, from online teaching, virtual school admin, course design, supporting pedagogical shift, and designing deployment models. She retired in 2019 as the Director of Digital Learning in Nevada’s Clark County (the 5th largest) and continues to support digital learning nationwide. Her passion is to help others create actively engaging learning environments so that students are empowered to take ownership of their own learning.
Kate Loughrey - Consultant
Kate Loughrey is the former statewide coordinator for the Texas Education Agency's (TEA's) online learning initiative, the Texas Virtual School Network.
She also developed and managed a series of the state's first online and blended learning pilots and spearheaded its supplemental and full-time virtual school programs. An early pioneer in the field, she brings more than 30 years of leadership experience to the ongoing evolution of digital learning.
Kate took on leadership roles in a number of other programs and initiatives for the state of Texas as well, such as the
K-12 and higher education collaboration, the Educational Technology Coordinating Council; and
the statewide connectivity research project and resulting report to the Texas Legislature.
Kate was the Texas state affiliate member to the Digital Learning Collaborative and served for many years as the state representative to the
Southern Regional Education Board’s (SREB’s) Educational Technology Co-Op, where she helped develop the very first national standards for quality online courses and online teaching;
iNACOL (now Aurora Institute); and
Evergreen Education Group.
After beginning her career in the media and communications industry in the northeast, Kate relocated to Texas where she served as the public relations director for several for-profit and non-profit organizations.
Consulting for a private research company, Kate moderated live focus groups, analyzed the resulting information, and summarized key findings and insights.
Prior to her tenure at TEA, Kate worked for the Austin, Texas PBS station as a television producer, writer, and on-air host for programs addressing a wide variety of topics, including public education, arts, civic affairs, and social issues—including an award-winning series on caregiving.
Abigail Manahan - Consultant
Abigail “Abby” Manahan grew up in rural Maine, 50 miles northwest of Bangor and attended both public and town academy schools. The fields, farms, and forests of Alna remind her of her childhood in Atkinson, as does the independent and industrious mindset of her neighbors. She has a deep understanding of the importance of the significance that education represents for small communities. Abby has been a resident of Alna since 2004. As a certified science teacher, she brings 22 years of educator experience to the table. She has taught in Rockland and Auburn public schools, developed science and project-based curriculum, evaluated program effectiveness, and been a strong advocate for at-risk students. A common theme throughout her career has been supporting teachers in professional growth. After four years of service to the Maine Department of Education, she returned to directly support teachers and students with instructional technology in the Boothbay Region Schools. She holds a bachelor’s degree in marine science and a master’s degree in science education, both from the University of Maine, Orono.
Abigail “Abby” Manahan grew up in rural Maine, 50 miles northwest of Bangor and attended both public and town academy schools. The fields, farms, and forests of Alna remind her of her childhood in Atkinson, as does the independent and industrious mindset of her neighbors. She has a deep understanding of the importance of the significance that education represents for small communities. Abby has been a resident of Alna since 2004. As a certified science teacher, she brings 22 years of educator experience to the table. She has taught in Rockland and Auburn public schools, developed science and project-based curriculum, evaluated program effectiveness, and been a strong advocate for at-risk students. A common theme throughout her career has been supporting teachers in professional growth. After four years of service to the Maine Department of Education, she returned to directly support teachers and students with instructional technology in the Boothbay Region Schools. She holds a bachelor’s degree in marine science and a master’s degree in science education, both from the University of Maine, Orono.
Brenda Maurao - Consultant
Brenda Maurao has been a dedicated educator for over twenty years, eleven of which have been in school and district administration, primarily at the elementary level. Five years ago she left school administration to become the Assistant Director of Elementary Education in Framingham. She has supported all areas of curriculum, instruction, and assessment across 9 elementary schools and in collaboration with the secondary team. After her first year in Framingham, Brenda was placed on special assignment at Stapleton Elementary School in Framingham as principal to improve systems and supports during some administration challenges. She worked with school and district teams to rebuild this school by prioritizing culture, inclusivity, and health and safety. After returning briefly to district work in Framingham this past fall, Brenda was hired by the Belmont Public Schools to serve as the principal of the Mary Lee Burbank Elementary School (K-4) which began in January 2022. Brenda also serves as a program supervisor for student teachers at Framingham State University, MASCD board member, Soul of Leadership Fellow through MASCD, and mentor to school leaders. She lives in Holliston, MA with her husband Michael, daughter Lucy and son Max.
Brenda Maurao has been a dedicated educator for over twenty years, eleven of which have been in school and district administration, primarily at the elementary level. Five years ago she left school administration to become the Assistant Director of Elementary Education in Framingham. She has supported all areas of curriculum, instruction, and assessment across 9 elementary schools and in collaboration with the secondary team. After her first year in Framingham, Brenda was placed on special assignment at Stapleton Elementary School in Framingham as principal to improve systems and supports during some administration challenges. She worked with school and district teams to rebuild this school by prioritizing culture, inclusivity, and health and safety. After returning briefly to district work in Framingham this past fall, Brenda was hired by the Belmont Public Schools to serve as the principal of the Mary Lee Burbank Elementary School (K-4) which began in January 2022. Brenda also serves as a program supervisor for student teachers at Framingham State University, MASCD board member, Soul of Leadership Fellow through MASCD, and mentor to school leaders. She lives in Holliston, MA with her husband Michael, daughter Lucy and son Max.
Kate Mayfield - Consultant
With experience in the business, education, and nonprofit sectors, Kate Mayfield brings a deep knowledge of best practices in education, as well as strategies to effectively implement and manage projects and programs. Innovative and results-driven instructional designer with a robust background in project management, curriculum development, and educational technology. Skilled in designing engaging learning experiences and leading cross-functional teams to achieve their goals.
Kate approaches projects with a user-centered, solution oriented approach. She taught middle school English for seven years before moving into the nonprofit sector. She holds a BA in English from Louisiana State University, as well as a Master of Arts in Teaching from Eastern Kentucky University and a Master of Education in School Administration from Murray State University.
Kate worked with a nonprofit for four years to bring innovative practices to teaching and curriculum in Kentucky’s schools. Additionally, Kate led the Kentucky Online Learning Experience Collaborative convening district online programs together to determine collective best practices, provide support and professional learning, as well as continuous improvement efforts.
With experience in the business, education, and nonprofit sectors, Kate Mayfield brings a deep knowledge of best practices in education, as well as strategies to effectively implement and manage projects and programs. Innovative and results-driven instructional designer with a robust background in project management, curriculum development, and educational technology. Skilled in designing engaging learning experiences and leading cross-functional teams to achieve their goals.
Kate approaches projects with a user-centered, solution oriented approach. She taught middle school English for seven years before moving into the nonprofit sector. She holds a BA in English from Louisiana State University, as well as a Master of Arts in Teaching from Eastern Kentucky University and a Master of Education in School Administration from Murray State University.
Kate worked with a nonprofit for four years to bring innovative practices to teaching and curriculum in Kentucky’s schools. Additionally, Kate led the Kentucky Online Learning Experience Collaborative convening district online programs together to determine collective best practices, provide support and professional learning, as well as continuous improvement efforts.
Emma Lucille McCabe - Consultant
Emma Lucille McCabe is an illustrator with experience in design, bookbinding, hand lettering, pattern design, murals, and animation. She graduated from the Maine College of Art with honors in 2015 and has exhibited her work across the U.S. and India. In 2017 Emma completed a two-month artist residency at Elsewhere Studios in Paonia, Colorado. From there she ventured on a six-month road trip through America's National Parks to create work dedicated to protecting public lands. Emma started 2019 with a residency hosted by the Goethe Institut in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Emma currently lives in Roxbury, Massachusetts, with her husband.
Stephanie McGary - Consultant
Stephanie McGary is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Registered Play Therapist. She is a mental health clinician at a local preschool for children and families experiencing homelessness and is the owner of Tots-N-Teachers Counseling and Consultation Services, LLC, a private practice limited exclusively to children and educators. During her 10+ years in non-profit work, Stephanie has worked closely with children impacted by individual and collective trauma. She has also walked alongside educators in assisting them in the integration of SEL practices and academics while also helping to increase the awareness around specific mental health needs of children and adults. Stephanie received a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Dillard University in New Orleans, LA and a master's in counseling from Southern Methodist University in her hometown of Dallas, TX.