expertise
Our staff is the pillar upon which we build custom professional development for you! Meet us here:
Sarah Negrete, Ph.D.
Program Director
Sarah Negrete, Ph.D. (Director) loves change, which is why she has taught elementary students, coached high school students, helped teachers improve reading instruction as a literacy specialist, and instructed pre-service teachers in higher education. She is passionate about the pursuit of excellence in education.
Program Director
Sarah Negrete, Ph.D. (Director) loves change, which is why she has taught elementary students, coached high school students, helped teachers improve reading instruction as a literacy specialist, and instructed pre-service teachers in higher education. She is passionate about the pursuit of excellence in education.
Jennifer Puentes
Administrative Assistant
Jennifer Puentes has had 21 years experience in customer service. She strives to provide exceptional administrative support working alongside the Program Director and Regional Coordinators of the PDP.
Administrative Assistant
Jennifer Puentes has had 21 years experience in customer service. She strives to provide exceptional administrative support working alongside the Program Director and Regional Coordinators of the PDP.
Valerie Byrnes
Regional Coordinator
Valerie Byrnes (Leadership Coordinator) taught both 1st and 6th grade before joining NNRPDP as a coordinator. She holds a Masters degree in Curriculum, Teaching and Learning along with a mathematics endorsement from the University of Nevada-Reno. She enjoys collaborating and learning with teachers and is excited about opportunities for improving education in the 21st century.
Regional Coordinator
Valerie Byrnes (Leadership Coordinator) taught both 1st and 6th grade before joining NNRPDP as a coordinator. She holds a Masters degree in Curriculum, Teaching and Learning along with a mathematics endorsement from the University of Nevada-Reno. She enjoys collaborating and learning with teachers and is excited about opportunities for improving education in the 21st century.
Ketra Gardner, Ph.D.
Regional Coordinator
Parent Engagement Coordinator
Ketra Gardner (NELIP Coordinator) is a lifelong learner with a passion for literacy and fostering literacy through family involvement. Before joining the NNRPDP team, Ketra taught elementary students at many grade levels and encouraged fellow teachers to improve their individual instruction as a literacy coach. She is dedicated to supporting teachers and families embrace a growth mindset toward literacy instruction and family partnerships.
Regional Coordinator
Parent Engagement Coordinator
Ketra Gardner (NELIP Coordinator) is a lifelong learner with a passion for literacy and fostering literacy through family involvement. Before joining the NNRPDP team, Ketra taught elementary students at many grade levels and encouraged fellow teachers to improve their individual instruction as a literacy coach. She is dedicated to supporting teachers and families embrace a growth mindset toward literacy instruction and family partnerships.
Annie Hicks
Regional Coordinator
Annie Hicks (Regional Coordinator) has a Master of Science in Equity and Diversity in Education, along with experience in both K-12 and higher education contexts. She is passionate about supporting educators and administrators in their pursuit of equity and inclusion through effective school-family partnerships and culturally responsive teaching. She strives to provide collaborative, strengths-based professional learning and coaching that empowers educators and administrators to become educational agents of change within their unique context.
Regional Coordinator
Annie Hicks (Regional Coordinator) has a Master of Science in Equity and Diversity in Education, along with experience in both K-12 and higher education contexts. She is passionate about supporting educators and administrators in their pursuit of equity and inclusion through effective school-family partnerships and culturally responsive teaching. She strives to provide collaborative, strengths-based professional learning and coaching that empowers educators and administrators to become educational agents of change within their unique context.
Darl Kiernan, Ph.D.
Regional Coordinator
Darl Kiernan (Regional Coordinator) is passionate about literacy. She has served as a special education and elementary
grades teacher, literacy specialist, university instructor, coach, high school coordinator for the
Striving Readers Grant Initiative and provided oversight statewide for K-12 English Language
Arts. Darl is a lifelong learner who strives to support educators by providing dynamic
professional learning and coaching opportunities.
Regional Coordinator
Darl Kiernan (Regional Coordinator) is passionate about literacy. She has served as a special education and elementary
grades teacher, literacy specialist, university instructor, coach, high school coordinator for the
Striving Readers Grant Initiative and provided oversight statewide for K-12 English Language
Arts. Darl is a lifelong learner who strives to support educators by providing dynamic
professional learning and coaching opportunities.
Holly Marich, Ph.D.
Regional Coordinator
Holly Marich (NBCT, Technology, ELA) is passionate about empowering teachers through motivational professional development experiences. She is an advocate for effective technology integration to maximize student learning and a proponent for teaching with a process approach that gives learners voice and choice through authentic experiences.
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Regional Coordinator
Holly Marich (NBCT, Technology, ELA) is passionate about empowering teachers through motivational professional development experiences. She is an advocate for effective technology integration to maximize student learning and a proponent for teaching with a process approach that gives learners voice and choice through authentic experiences.
Treena Parker
Regional Coordinator
Treena Whaley (Regional Coordinator) has experience working with students Pre-K through post high school. She loves to learn and is passionate about...whatever she is learning about. She has a deep regard for educators and hopes to make a positive difference by providing pivotal practice-changing professional learning experiences for teachers.
Regional Coordinator
Treena Whaley (Regional Coordinator) has experience working with students Pre-K through post high school. She loves to learn and is passionate about...whatever she is learning about. She has a deep regard for educators and hopes to make a positive difference by providing pivotal practice-changing professional learning experiences for teachers.
Connie Thomson
Regional Coordinator
Connie Thomson (Regional Coordinator) is dedicated to promoting an appreciation for the significance of the superstructure of mathematics. She is passionate about the power of discourse and the habits of mathematical minds.
Regional Coordinator
Connie Thomson (Regional Coordinator) is dedicated to promoting an appreciation for the significance of the superstructure of mathematics. She is passionate about the power of discourse and the habits of mathematical minds.