Dr. Sonja Hollins-Alexander is the Director of Professional Learning for Corwin Publishing. She has been in the field of education for 24 years with 18 of those being in educational leadership at the school, district and higher education levels. During this time, she has served as a school social worker, teacher, assistant principal, principal, coordinator, assistant director and director of professional learning, and chief of staff in two Metro Atlanta, GA school districts. She has served on numerous United Way non-profit boards in the community and most recently served as the affiliate board president for Learning Forward, GA. She currently serves on the National Affiliate Leadership Council for Learning Forward.

Through her professional journey she has had experiences in Strategic Planning, Organizational Improvement, Policy Development, Stakeholder Communication and Engagement, Grant Writing, Instructional Design, Curriculum Development and Implementation, Facilitation of Adult Learning, Leadership Coaching, Conference Facilitation and Design, and served as a Quality Assurance Team Member for AdvancED. She is fully engaged in the development and use of Online Collaborative/Instructional Software. She is the author of Online Professional Development through Virtual Learning Communities, Corwin Press (2013).”

As the Director of Professional Learning for Corwin, Sonja is committed to partner engagement and the design and implementation of professional learning services that positively impact teaching and learning.

Dr. Nicole Law is a dynamic and passionate educator who provides relevant professional development to schools and districts across the country. Nicole focuses her experience to present instruction on Professional Teacher Teams, Leadership Improvement Practices and Structures, Data Analysis Models, School Improvement Practices and Structures, Standards-based Instruction and Design, Metacognitive Teaching and Learning Practices, Strategies for Success in Cognitively Rigorous Instruction and Levels of Depth of Knowledge (DOK), Effective Teaching Strategies for English Learners and Special Education Students, as well as Culturally Responsive and Equitable Teaching Practices.

Before joining the Leadership and Learning Center, Dr. Law served as a Curriculum Coordinator for English Language Learners, Cultural Responsivity, AVID (Advancement via Individual Determination), District Equity, and Mathematics and Science Instruction in the Metropolitan School District of Wayne Township in Indianapolis, Indiana. In this position, Dr. Law created multi-layered and faceted professional development for teachers and administrators covering all aspects of directed programs and curricular areas. She has written curriculum in the areas of science, mathematics, and English Language Development. Nicole trained and supported administrators, teacher leaders, site coordinators, and school improvement teams in Decision Making for Results, The Data Teams Process, Sub-group Data Dives, and Gap Reduction Practices.

Nicole is accused of not living in a world of limitations, but rather living in a world of conquering, leading, learning, and achieving in all areas of her life. She thrives on gaining new knowledge and pouring an abundance of her energy and passion in her work of coaching, empowering, and developing others. As an elementary principal, she guided her teachers through the implementation of rigorous instructional and assessment practices to create a culture of learning and achievement for all. Nicole’s leadership allowed her to lead her school through a transformation in both school culture and academic instruction.

Dr. Law completed her doctorate in Educational Leadership and Policy. Her dissertation concentrated on the principal’s role in increasing teacher implementation of effective instructional practices. She also had the pleasure of co-authoring “The Reflective Leader: Implementing a Multidimensional Leadership Performance System.” Leadership is Dr. Law’s passion; she has worked with numerous principals and district leaders on the implementation of best-practices in education.

Nicole has received various recognitions throughout her career. One of many, was the 2008 National Milken Award from the state of Indiana.