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.

Tom Browning, Ph.D.
Regional Coordinator
Tom Browning (Regional Coordinator) is passionate about helping teachers create inspiring learning communities and seeks to promote core reflection, equity literacy, and inquiry learning. He has almost 20 years of teaching experience across a variety of contexts, including seven years as a high school science teacher in a nontraditional learning community for at-promise youth.
Regional Coordinator
Tom Browning (Regional Coordinator) is passionate about helping teachers create inspiring learning communities and seeks to promote core reflection, equity literacy, and inquiry learning. He has almost 20 years of teaching experience across a variety of contexts, including seven years as a high school science teacher in a nontraditional learning community for at-promise youth.

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.

Natalie Trouten
Regional Coordinator
Natalie Trouten (Regional Coordinator) has 18 years of experience teaching before joining NNRPDP. She holds a Masters of Science in Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment as well as a Social Studies endorsement. She is passionate about building critical thinking skills and promotes the power of authentic educational experiences, as well as empowering teachers to build upon their strengths.
Regional Coordinator
Natalie Trouten (Regional Coordinator) has 18 years of experience teaching before joining NNRPDP. She holds a Masters of Science in Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment as well as a Social Studies endorsement. She is passionate about building critical thinking skills and promotes the power of authentic educational experiences, as well as empowering teachers to build upon their strengths.