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About Us

Our team is passionate about supporting states in building a diverse, talented educator workforce for every student. 

Student-Demographic-Data

From 2012-2019, the Center on Great Teachers and Leaders was a national content center under the federally funded Comprehensive Center Network. Following the grant's conclusion, AIR continues to operate the GTL Center and offer services across a range of core evidence-based talent management strategies.

Passionate, Practitioner-Focused Researchers and Consultants

The GTL Center team has a deep bench of national experts ready to deliver a comprehensive set of services to meet your unique needs. Our team includes former teachers, principals, and teacher leaders, including National Board Certified Teachers. As former practitioners who have worked in classrooms, schools, districts, and state agencies, we know first-hand what it looks like when a school system works, and when it does not. We're passionate about using effective strategies to help states and their districts build diverse, talented teams of educators as the foundation for student success.

Meet the GTL Center Team

Senior Leadership

Lisa Lachlan
Director of Strategic Partnerships
Principal Research Scientist at AIR
Lynn Holdheide
Senior Advisor
Professional Learning and Development for Teachers and Leaders Practice Hub Lead at AIR
Verna Lalbeharie
Senior Advisor, Equity in Education
Senior Technical Assistance Consultant at AIR
Cheryl Krohn
Senior Advisor, Educator Workforce
Senior Technical Assistance Consultant at AIR
Tammie Knights
Senior Advisor, District and School Leadership
Principal Technical Assistance Consultant at AIR
Alicia Espinoza
Senior Advisor
Senior Technical Assistance Consultant at AIR

Subject Matter Experts

Jessica Giffin, MA
Jessica Giffin, MA
Educator Shortages and GIS Lead
Senior Technical Assistance Consultant at AIR
Etai Mizrav
Equitable Access & Diversifying the Educator Workforce Lead
External Consultant
Cheryl Harris
Adult Learning and Engagement Lead
Senior Technical Assistance Consultant at AIR
Anne Diffenderffer
Teaching Conditions Lead
Senior Researcher at AIR
Catherine Jacques, MA
Teacher Leadership Lead
Researcher at AIR
Rachel Garrett
Research Lead
Prinicpal Researcher at AIR
Cassandra Meyer
Equitable Access Lead
Technical Assistance Consultant at AIR
Mara Schanfield
Nicholas Yoder, Ph.D.
Social and Emotional Learning Lead
Principal Technical Assistance Consultant at AIR
Garry Davis, MA
District adn School Leadership Specialist
Senior Technical Assistance Consultant at AIR
Lois Kimmel
Lois Kimmel
Special Education Lead and Educator Shortages Specialist
Technical Assistance Consultant at AIR
Amy Colpo
Amy Colpo, MPP
Mentoring & Induction Lead and Special Education Specialist
Technical Assistance Consultant at AIR
Melissa Yisak
Evaluation Lead
Senior Researcher at AIR
Jenni Fipaza
Equitable Access Evaluation Lead
Senior Researcher at AIR
Rachel Garrett
Talent Development Expert
Senior Techincal Assistance Consultant at AIR
Eric Larsen
District and School Leadership Evaluation Lead 
Principal Economic Researcher at AIR
Dawn Dolby
District and School Leadership Content Expert
Principal Technical Assistance Consultant at AIR
Ursula Hill
School Turnaround Expert
Senior Turnaround Consultant at AIR
Dr. Lyke
District and School Leadership Content Expert
Principal Technical Assistance Consultant at AIR
Marshal Conley
Networked Improvement Communities Expert
Senior Technical Assistance Consultant at AIR
Robyn Harris
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Expert
Senior Technical Assistance Consultant at AIR
Donna Warthan
District and School Leadership Expert
Senior Technical Assistance Consultant at AIR
Felice
Social Media Coordinator
Senior Communications Specialist at AIR
D'mari Creque
D'mari Creque
Project Support
Technical Assistance Support Associate at AIR
ELizabeth Chagnon
Elizabeth Chagnon
Communications Coordinator
Technical Assistance Consultant at AIR
Jenni Fipaza
Communications Advisor
Senior Communications Specialist at AIR
Keane Alavi
Keane Alavi
Communications Lead and Project Manager
Technical Assistance Associate at AIR
Cristina Alvarez
Cristina Alvarez
Project Support
Research Assitant at AIR

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