Professional Learning

Jen McCarty Plucker, Director of Professional Learning and Consultant received her doctoral degree in Educational Leadership with research focused on adolescent engagement/motivation and accelerated literacy growth. Her research has been recognized in ASCD’s Educational Leadership, by the International Literacy Association, and the Southern Regional Education Board’s High Schools That Work. Jen has over 20 years of education experience as a teaching and learning coordinator, ESL coordinator, K-12 intervention specialist, Lead grant writer, Magnet & STEM collaborator, English/speech teacher, reading specialist, speech coach, past president of the Minnesota Reading Association, adjunct instructor for Hamline University in St. Paul, MN, and literacy consultant.

Kia Heise, Ph.D., Professional Learning Specialist, earned her B.A., M.A., and Ph.D. in Sociology from the University of Minnesota. From 2008-2020, she taught Sociology courses at the University of Minnesota, Normandale Community College, California State University-Los Angeles, Augsburg University, Metropolitan State University, and Inver Hills Community College. Her teaching focused on helping students understand and alleviate social inequalities. She and her husband Chris wrote and illustrated the picture book, Little Sock. Kia brings an equity and sociological perspective to our work.

Lindsay Simmons, M.A., Professional Learning Specialist, has several years of experience working as an upper elementary school teacher and has most recently served as the STEM Education Programming Manager for a science center in Pennsylvania. She has her master’s degree in Art History with a Museum Studies Certificate and has a passion for learning about most effective engagement strategies, in both design and learning. She enjoys utilizing STEM and Maker Education processes and tools to enhance her students’ learning.