Deirdre Spollen-LaRaia is a Middle School Principal in Paramus, NJ., with over 25 years of experience in public education in New York City and several communities in New Jersey. She has taught at the elementary and middle school level and served as a Literacy Coach, Assistant Principal, Supervisor of Special Education, Literacy & ESL Supervisor, and Principal at the elementary and middle school level. Simultaneously she serves as an adjunct professor for Saint Elizabeth University in the Masters and Doctoral Programs for Educational Leadership, where she obtained an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership. She has presented topics on literacy coaching, nonfiction reading, inclusion, and teacher evaluation at NCTE, IRA, NJSBA, NJASCD, TheEdCollab, and was a part of the Professional Development Faculty at Kean University in Union, New Jersey. Deirdre has written articles on teacher evaluation, PARCC assessment, and school culture for Think Teachers and NJASCD publications. She is passionate about her work in Instructional Coaching, supporting teachers’ growth and leadership, and the transformative work in School Culture & Climate, including elevating student voice and ownership.