Presenter biographies from the 2015 Emerging Leaders program.

1. Brian Boggs
Dr. Brian Boggs serves as outreach specialist in the Office of K–12 Outreach in the College of Education at
Michigan State University. His area of expertise is policy development and analysis in the areas of school
reform and holds a dual major Ph.D. in Educational Policy and Administration from MSU. In addition, Dr.
Boggs holds a special certification in urban education from MSU and is a graduate of the Michigan Educational
Policy Fellowship Program. He has served as a high school English teacher and central office administrator.
With a bachelor’s degree in English and history and his master’s degree in English language and literature,
Dr. Boggs has taught college rhetoric, critical writing, and educational policy and research courses at the
University of Michigan – Flint. He has written extensively on the subject of organizational and instructional
complexity. His research interests include organizational theory, policymaking, sociology of education,
experimental design, school improvement, and the history and politics of U.S. education. Dr. Boggs has
studied urban school education and leadership in the United Kingdom. He also serves as an elected official in
a local unit of government.
Yvonne Caamal Canul
Raised in Latin America, Yvonne brings a rich “world-view” to her work of 40 years in the field of education
as a teacher, school principal, director of curriculum and assessment, consultant for priority schools, a state
department of education official, and as a corporate senior executive in the private sector leading an
innovation division. Yvonne directed the Michigan site for a Kellogg Foundation Early Childhood collaborative
between MSU and the University of North Carolina. Currently, she is serving as the Superintendent for the
Lansing School District and has spearheaded a bold restructuring plan that focuses on research-based grade
span cohorts and collaborative inquiry models to improve instruction. Yvonne has received numerous
awards, among them are the National Educator Award presented by the Milken Family Foundation, the
Human Rights Award given by the Michigan Education Association, Greater Lansing Woman of the Year
Finalist, and the 2015 Michigan Superintendent of the Year.
David Chapin
David Chapin is former MI Excel Program Director for Focus Schools. In this role, Dr. Chapin (MSU, 1988)
worked with 28 specialists in partnership with local school districts to address and resolve issues associated
with gaps in achievement within student subgroups and subject areas. Dr. Chapin is a 39-year public school
veteran in the State of Michigan, having served as teacher, coach, principal, assistant superintendent and
superintendent in three distinct and different Michigan school districts. He has been a frequent speaker at
colleges and universities, a presenter at state conferences, provided testimony to the state House and Senate
education committees, and was a member of the adjunct faculty at Saginaw Valley State University from
1996 to 2001. He was the state representative for the Vanderbilt University Peabody Fellowship (2010) and
chair of the Ingham ISD Superintendent’s Roundtable (2008-2010). He retired from his position as
Superintendent of the East Lansing, MI Public Schools in 2013. Dr. Chapin and his wife, Laurie, are the parents
of two children, both of whom are Michigan public school teachers.
Susan Cheadle-Holt
Mrs. Cheadle-Holt is a Principal at Everett High School, the largest of four high school programs serving
students in the Lansing School District. She received her Bachelor of Science in Biology and Secondary
Education in 1990 and earned a Masters of Arts in K-12 Education Administration in 2008, both from MSU.
After her 20-year career as a Science teacher in Lansing Schools, including nine years teaching alternative
education students, she changed the focus of her career path toward administration. Mrs. Cheadle-Holt has

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three years of experience as an assistant principal and recently completed her first year as the Head Principal
of Everett High School, where she is a 1982 alum. Everett serves the largest population of specialized
programs for Hearing Impaired, Autistic Impaired, and Cognitively Impaired in the Lansing Schools, as well as
being in an INS resettlement zone with over 300 English Learner students. She opened a “school within a
school” program titled “Everett New Tech,” a project-based learning model with integrated curriculum for
7th and 8th grade that will expand to the 9th and 10th grade in the 15-16 school year. Mrs. Cheadle-Holt is
passionate about serving the underserved and helping students find success through multiple modes of
learning.
Jim Dell
Jim dell just finished his 27th year in education, 18th year as an administrator and fourth year as Principal of
Woodworth Elementary School in Leslie Public Schools. He spent four years as an Elementary Principal in
Durand Area Schools at Robert Kerr Elementary School. Prior to that Jim was at Laingsburg Elementary School
for 16 years, the last ten as an administrator with the following duties: Assistant Elementary Principal,
Preschool/Childcare Director, Community Education Director, District School Improvement and Professional
Development Coordinator, and Principal of the Early Childhood Education Center. Jim has experience with
grant writing, state reporting, piloting evaluation tools for educator effectiveness, as a state conference
presenter, and all other facets of the Principalship.
William DeFrance
Dr. William DeFrance is a native of Youngstown, Ohio. Dr. DeFrance holds two master’s degrees, one in
economics, and a doctorate in education with concentrations in sports administration and educational
leadership. He has had a multitude of successful experiences during his over 30-year career, both in the
business and educational arena. He describes each one as “exciting and satisfying.” Throughout his career,
Dr. DeFrance has taught graduate and undergraduate courses at eight universities and colleges; he currently
teaches at University of Michigan-Flint. For 23 years, he served in executive leadership positions for
Ameritech and its subsidiaries in the areas of customer service and marketing. He served as Chief Operating
Officer (COO) for the Flint Community Schools, Michigan from 2002-2004. In 2004, he became
Superintendent of Eaton Rapids Public Schools where he currently works and resides. Dr. DeFrance is married
with two daughters. His wife is an associate professor at Grand Valley State University in the education
department of leadership and literacy. One daughter is an attorney and the other is a teacher in Eaton Rapids.
Christina Feneley
Christina Feneley is the current High School Principal and Director of Instruction for Union City Community
Schools. Originally from Indianapolis, Ms. Feneley holds a BA in Elementary Education from Saint Mary of the
Woods College and an MA in Educational and Professional Development from WMU. Prior to her position in
UCCS, she worked as a middle school building administrator in Pennfield Schools. This spring she completed
the Marine Educator Boot Camp. An aspiring Superintendent, Ms. Feneley has also completed the SUPES
Academy (MLI) and the Courageous Journey Program (MASA). With the combined roles of building principal
and central office administrator, Christina has created intentional practices around managing time and work
effectively.
Jennifer Hammond
Dr. Jennifer Hammond is the principal of Grand Blanc High School. She previously served as a teacher and
administrator at schools in Troy, Hamtramck, and also in Houston, Texas. Hammond earned a bachelor's
degree and certificate in secondary teaching from Michigan State University, a master's degree in
mathematics education from Wayne State University, an educational specialist degree in school
administration from Oakland University, and a doctorate in philosophy of educational leadership from
Oakland University. She served on the Michigan Council for Educator Effectiveness and has served as the
president of the Michigan Association of Secondary School Principals.

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Tammy Jackson
In the fall, Tammy will begin her 17th year as Principal at East Jordan High School. Prior to that, she was an
Assistant Principal and Athletic Director for 11 years. Tammy just completed her term as President of
Michigan Association for Secondary School Principals (MASSP). As an AP/AD, she served on the Board of
Directors for Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA).
Deborah Jenkins,
Deborah Jenkins, a native Detroiter, is very passionate about Detroit’s students receiving a quality education.
Currently principal of Martin Luther King, Jr. Senior High School in Detroit, she has served as an educator for
more than 30 years. Principal Jenkins leveraged her leadership experience and knowledge of organizational
structures to transform four schools. Dr. Jenkins is a born educator and an agent of change. Prior to being a
principal, her unique mathematics teaching style and creativity helped shape the lives of many students. As
an adjunct professor, she nurtured and supported countless adult students, many who are now colleagues,
to reach numerous victories and accomplishments. Dr. Jenkins, a married mother of 5—one current college
student and four professionals with Master Degrees—models her commitment to learning personally and
professionally.
Justin Jennings
Mr. Jennings earned his Bachelors of Arts (B.A.) Degree from Purdue University in West Lafayette Indiana and
three Masters (M.A.) Degrees in Educational Leadership, Special Education Administration, and Special
Education with an emphasis in Emotional Impairments from Grand Valley State University; in addition he
received an Educational Specialist Degree in Leadership from Grand Valley State University in December
2013. He is currently pursuing his Doctorate of Education (Ed.D) in Educational Leadership at University of
Michigan. He has served as an administrator in Grand Rapids Public Schools— five years as an Assistant
Principal at Grand Rapids Creston High School and Union High, and two years as Head Principal at Union High
School. He served as Head Principal of Holland High School and New Tech High at Holland High School in
Holland, Michigan a grade 8-12 building of 1650 students. From 2013-15 he served as the Executive Principal
of Ypsilanti Community Schools (Willow Run Community Schools and Ypsilanti Public School Consolidation).
Mr. Jennings also currently serves as President-Elect of MASSP. He also served on the Michigan Principal
Fellowship & Coaches Institute Principals Advisory Council.
Scott Kapla
Scott Kapla is currently Assistant Principal at Lakeview High School in St. Clair Shores. He has served in his
current position for the past 8 years. He is responsible for discipline, attendance, and teacher evaluation.
Scott created “The New Teacher Induction Program” to assist new teachers with district policy and current
trends in education. Scott is also Chair of the Technology Committee, serves on the District (Collective
Bargaining) Negotiating Team, and is responsible for the analysis of EPAS (Explore, Plan, ACT) data. Scott also
sits on the MASSP Board of Directors – AP Representative East Region.
Tim Lyman
Tim has been the principal at Elmwood Elementary School within Waverly Community Schools for the past
four years. Elmwood serves approximately 320 students in grades 1-4. Tim has served as a second-grade,
fourth-grade and fifth-grade teacher as well as a principal for the past 15 years. Tim has been involved with
the Michigan Elementary and Middle School Principals Association (MEMSPA) as part of the Annual
Conference Planning Committee as well as serving as the President of Region 8. When not fulfilling these
responsibilities Tim loves to spend time with his wife and three children.
Barbara Markle
Dr. Markle is Assistant Dean of the Office of K-12 Outreach in the College of Education at Michigan State
University. In this role she draws upon her extensive experience in school reform to develop and deliver
evidence-based support for school and district leaders. She directs MSU outreach specialists who provide
research-based services to schools and districts across the state to create collective capacity to improve
student achievement. Over the past three years, she has served as the Executive Director for central

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components of Michigan’s Statewide System of Support for Priority and Focus Title I schools based at MSU.
Dr. Markle’s public school experience includes service as a high school teacher, counselor, secondary school
principal, and central office administrator. She also served as Deputy Superintendent of Public Instruction in
the Michigan Department of Education, where she was responsible for Michigan’s education reform
initiatives. In addition, MSU K-12 Outreach provides programs and international study tours for educational
leaders and policymakers designed to highlight successful school reform efforts and challenges to living and
working in an increasingly global economy and community. She works closely with the United Kingdom’s
SSAT and several Michigan foundations.
Mark Pogliano
Dr. Pogliano is entering his tenth year as an administrator, where he currently serves as the principal for the
Jackson Area Career Center. His first career was in construction and architecture, where he used these skills
to help him enter into the teaching profession as a computer-aided drafting and design instructor. He taught
for five years at Plymouth-Canton, and then moved to an assistant principal’s role. In addition, Mark worked
for two years as the Associate Dean for Occupational Programs at Schoolcraft College. Throughout the
changes in positions, Mark has attained three separate teacher certifications, a Master’s degree in Business
Education, and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership. Mark continues to pursue his passion for education
where he is focused on providing high-quality career and technical education (CTE) programs. Currently, he
is working within his staff members to build a comprehensive CTE curriculum that will provide students with
measurable technical, academic, and employability skills. Outside of the educational workplace, Mark spends
time with his family and tinkers around with different projects around the house.
Dave Powers
Dave Powers—former Michigan Middle Level Principal of the Year—is the recently retired principal of
Hudsonville Baldwin Street Middle School where he served in that capacity for the past 15 years. Together
with his staff they were consistently recognized as a Michigan Top 5% Reward School and a twice designated
a National School to Watch. Additionally, Dave served on the board of directors for the MASSP, most recently
as president of the association. Dave comes from a music education teaching background and is currently
living in the Battle Creek area pursuing post-retirement opportunities in the fields of K-12 and Higher
Education.
Cindy Ruble
Cindy Ruble serves as outreach specialist in the Office of K–12 Outreach in the College of Education at
Michigan State University. In this role, Ms. Ruble provides conceptual development and support to Michigan
schools and districts. Prior to coming to MSU, Ms. Ruble spent over 35 years in Michigan as a teacher,
principal, assistant superintendent, and superintendent. Ms. Ruble designed and implemented several grant-
funded programs including one of fourteen Race to the Top grants in the State of Michigan. As a result of Ms.
Ruble’s many leadership roles, she is recognized throughout the state for her technical expertise in the area
of educational reform. Ms. Ruble retired as Superintendent of Lakeview Public Schools in July of 2010 and
subsequently served as Executive Director for the Educators’ Task Force (ETF)—an organization that
represents all Battle Creek area public and private school leaders. In that role, Ms. Ruble developed a program
to bring a systemic early childhood plan to support all Battle Creek area families from birth through age eight.
Rajah E. Smart
Rajah Smart was born, and raised in Flint, Michigan. Mr. Smart was an educator (teacher/administrator) for
10 years before becoming a consultant with the Michigan Department of Education, Office of Professional
Preparation Services. His current role is an education consultant within the Professional Preparation and
Learning Unit where he reviews educator preparation programs. Mr. Smart is also a writer, and has been
developing his writing since 2002. Titles include: All in Love is Fair (fiction, 2006), Sinners have a Soul Too
(fiction, 2008), Clarity of Absence (fiction, 2009), You Were There (fiction, 2010), and Black Rain (fiction, 2012).
He is currently completing his doctorate in Educational Leadership with Eastern Michigan University.

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Johnny M. Scott
Dr. Scott began his career in Ft. Myers, Florida where he served over a decade in multiple capacities as Dean
of Students, Assistant Principal and Principal of Riverdale High School, which had a student population of
2,200, and principal at Caloosa Middle School in the same district before coming to Michigan. In Michigan he
spent 12 years as principal of Holt Junior High School in mid-Michigan. He became Superintendent of Holt
Schools in 2007, where he served until the end of the 2014-15 school year. As superintendent, he guided the
implementation of a Reinventing Holt Schools plan that prioritized both academic attainment and cost
efficiency. The plan included adding an additional balanced calendar school; repurposing an elementary
school as an early childhood center; restructuring the 9-12 experience to enable students to take college
courses and explore career options. Dr. Scott believes passionately in caring for and listening to students and
having high expectations for students and adults. He also feels that guiding people to their learning edge to
develop new thinking and practices, while daring, is necessary in the current educational climate.
Shanna Spickard
Shanna Spickard has served as the middle school principal at Manchester Community Schools for nine years
and has been an active member of MEMSPA for the last nine years. This year, she serves as President for
MEMSPA. Her education includes two Bachelors of Science in both Secondary Education and Communication
from Ohio University, a Master of Arts in Communication from Michigan State University, and both a
Specialist and Doctorate in Education Leadership from Eastern Michigan University. As an administrator and
life-long learner, she is interested in adult professional learning and influence on teacher practice to make
shifts to a more student-centered, constructionist approach. She is interested in professional development,
student-centered instructional practices, collaborative learning communities, and 21st century skills.
Sara Sutherland
Sara Sutherland has been recently selected as the Lead Principal at Grand Ledge High School. Sara has served
as an assistant principal within Grand Ledge for the past 4 years. Prior to her work in administration, Sara
worked in both the educational and medical fields as a Speech Therapist. She has also taught within special
education classrooms for 18 years at all grade levels. Sara has recently worked on projects for her district and
county focusing on attendance, technology within the classroom, and testing practices for schools and
students. Sara has lead her building to focus on student data to guide building outcomes and teacher
trainings. Sara lives in Grand Ledge with her family where they continue to work the family farm.
John D. Thompson
John Thompson was inspired by his parents who were both teachers and administrators in public education
to enter the teaching profession. He has served as a grade level principal and the director of athletics in
Brighton Area Schools since 2004. Prior to that he held a variety of successful positions both within and
outside of the K-12 setting. Throughout his career, he has come to appreciate and respect the difference a
strong, capable leader can make in the lives of young people. Originally from Florida, he received his B.S.
from Lambuth University in Tennessee and his Master of Education Administration from Eastern Michigan
University. He is married and he and his wife Michelle have two daughters, Hannah Grace and Ella Ayn.
Kathryn VanCuren
Kathryn VanCuren has been an educator for 23 years, the past nine as an assistant principal in Rockford Public
Schools. She is in charge of a variety of responsibilities, including discipline, evaluations, hiring, overseeing
standardized testing for the building as well as common assessments for each subject. She is passionate about
serving students in need. She is very proud of the programs she has begun at RHS, including the STRIVE
mentorship program, a partnership with the local Rotary club, and a Renaissance Program, which focuses on
recognizing and rewarding all students in the building and connecting them positively with adults around
them. She has been married for 23 years and has two children.

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Joanne Winkelman
Joanne Winkelman has a Ph.D. in special education from Wayne State University. She currently she works in
the Michigan Department of Education, Office of Special Education as the policy coordinator in the
administrative unit. Before coming to the department, Joanne spent a post-doctoral year at the Kennedy
Krieger Institute in Baltimore, Maryland. Joanne has taught in Wisconsin, New York, and Michigan as a special
education and general education teacher.
Wendy Zdeb-Roper
Wendy began her career in education as a teacher at Warren Fitzgerald High School where she taught English
and coached three varsity sports. She then went on to become the Assistant Principal and Athletic Director
at St. Clair High School in the East China School District. After three years as an Assistant Principal, Wendy
was ready to seek a new challenge and she found it as the Principal at Rochester High School where she
worked for seven years. Wendy joined MASSP in August 2011 and officially became the Association’s
Executive Director on January 1, 2012. Wendy holds a bachelor’s degree in English and History from Western
Michigan University. Her Masters in Educational Leadership and Education Specialist degree are both from
Saginaw Valley State University. Wendy’s husband Scott Roper is an Assistant Superintendent for Holly Area
Schools – they enjoy golf, going up North and spending time with family.