Experienced and trained in the latest research and best practices of teaching and learning, with a unique understanding of independent schools.
ELIZABETH DENEVI
Elizabeth directs East Ed, a non-profit dedicated to supporting equity and diversity in schools and community organizations. She is also the co-founder of Teaching While White. She was a classroom teacher for 10 years and served as an administrator for 15 years at several independent PreK-12 schools. As a coach, her role is to help clients gain clarity in the steps they want to pursue to make their practice more equitable. She believes that with time for reflection and critical inquiry, all teachers and leaders can identify what they need to grow and develop their practice. Her role is to listen and to reflect back what she observes and to ask questions from a place of curiosity. She coaches teachers at all grade levels as well as school leaders.
MEREDITH HERRERA
Meredith (she/ella) is a highly organized systems thinker and operational strategist with nearly 20 years of diverse experience working with young people and adults. She has a Masters of Education in Human Development focused in School Counseling and is completing her Executive Coaching certification. She is skilled in strategic planning, personnel coaching, communication management, and has served as a senior administrator in several schools. As a consultant, Meredith works with schools and leaders to co-create transformative environments that promote equity, belonging, and community. As a coach, Meredith empowers and supports educators - to achieve goals, operate strategically, enhance managerial skill, navigate thorny issues, and manage overwhelm. She is particularly passionate about helping BIPOC identifying educators thrive in primarily white institutions (PWIs) and believes that access to professional coaching for BIPOC educators by BIPOC educators is critical. Coaching engagements are influenced by data driven practices and equity design and clients can expect meetings to be lively, relevant, and pragmatic.
SHELLEY LAWRENCE M.Ed
Shelley is the founder of Schoolhouse Collaborative and an educational consultant in Los Angeles who works with both schools and families. With over 30 years of experience in teaching and school leadership, Shelley assists administrators in creating long range strategic plans, planning and implementing teacher evaluation systems, and structuring and implementing curricular change. Her deep and broad understanding of all areas of the curriculum, best practice pedagogy and social emotional learning assist her in evaluating educational programs and working with school administrators to identify areas of curricular and instructional weakness and plan and implement change. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in History, California Multiple Subject Teaching Credential and M.Ed from UCLA. She is currently completing certification in coaching with the Co-Active Training Institute. When she is not thinking about education and coaching, Shelley enjoys baking sourdough bread, cheering on the Dodgers and UCLA and exercising.
DR. REGINA MCDUFFIE
Regina is an accomplished independent school educator with a distinguished career spanning over two decades. As a visionary leader in the field of education, she has made significant contributions to various educational institutions through her expertise in curriculum design, instructional improvement, and personalized learning. Most recently as Head of School at The Rhoades School and previously as Academic Dean at St. Margaret’s Episcopal School. Regina was instrumental in supporting faculty in designing innovative curricula, creating engaging performance tasks, and developing project-based learning units. Her dedication to improving instruction practice through observation and constructive feedback has contributed significantly to the professional growth of her teachers and staff. Dr. McDuffie holds a Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction, is recognized as an Apple Teacher as well as the leader of an Apple Distinguished School for utilizing technology to enhance teaching and learning in innovative ways. She is a certified Habits of Mind trainer and has also been recognized for her expertise in collection, analysis, utilization and reporting of data to inform school improvement and student learning. Regina is a coach and mentor to new and aspiring Heads of School. Her nurturing and supportive approach have empowered educational leaders to excel in their roles and make positive impacts within their schools. She looks forward to continuing to make a positive impact on private school education as a coach and consultant with CATDC.
ERIN NORDLUND
Erin is currently a K-12 Director of Teaching and Learning at Chadwick School. Prior to her current position she was Chadwick's Curriculum Specialist and, before that, the English Department Chair and Interim Dean of Students. Erin has developed, led, and presented on a wide range of school-wide, divisional, and departmental curriculum, instruction, grading and assessment, leadership, and wellness initiatives and programming and has 20 years of teaching experience. Erin holds a Bachelor of Arts in English and a Master of Arts in Teaching from the University of Southern California.
DR. ROCHELLE REODICA
Rochelle is a DEIB consultant and leadership coach who brings over 20 years of experience as an educational leader in both the public and private sectors including the NYC Board of Education, Sylvan Learning Centers in Manhattan, and various independent schools in New York and California. She has served as a Division Head, Director of Learning Services, Middle School Diversity Coordinator, Grade Dean, Human Development instructor, and learning specialist in K-12 schools. Rochelle uses a strengths-based approach and applies deep listening to amplify clients’ strengths while acknowledging their blindspots and growth edges. Her intersectional identities as a woman of color, mother, scholar, and leader influence the equity lens she brings to her coaching practice. Through self-reflection and inquiry, she aims to develop leaders who are culturally responsive and anti-racist. Rochelle is available to coach instructional teams and aspiring, new, and experienced leaders.
REBECCA RUSSELL
Rebecca brings 15 years of classroom teaching, integrated curricular design, team facilitation, and a background in vocal performance to her work as an instructional coach. She currently serves as the Director of Teaching and Learning at Saint Mark’s School in Altadena and was previously the Director of Curriculum (K-8) at Westside Neighborhood School. She has worked in both public and independent schools, and she started her career as an advertising account executive specializing in Broadway musicals. This diversity of experience grounds her coaching practice in empathy, perspective, and partnership, and centers her pedagogy in equity, belonging, authentic application, and joy. Rebecca holds a B.A. in drama from Tufts University and a Master of Arts in education from Pepperdine University. Rebecca is also available to coach aspiring, new, and experienced mid-level leaders