Swati Guin provides project management, research, evaluation and technical assistance support to federal clients and local stakeholders through projects aimed at improving outcomes for all students, including students with disabilities. She helps manage all MTSS Center projects, resources and…

Kyle Allen, M.A., provides technical assistance and coaching to states, districts, and schools focused on data-based decision making and teaming. Kyle has an extensive background implementing MTSS in rural, suburban, and inner-city school districts and most recently served as the Director of…

Diandra Best discovered her passion for equity in education early in her career as an elementary Special Education teacher. With a goal of increasing access for the students she served, Diandra demonstrated dedication to serving diverse learners and educating families on the many facets of…

Shirley Carlson, PMP, is a Senior Technical Assistant at the American Institutes for Research (AIR). Her primary responsibilities include providing strategic leadership coaching to build district and school capacity to reduce achievement gaps and to ensure the use of effective continuous…

Sacha Cartagena, Ph.D., is a Researcher in the Learning Supports program at the American Institutes for Research (AIR). In this role, Dr. Cartagena supports state and district projects related to Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS), Universal Design for Learning (UDL), and High-Leverage…

Erin Clancy, M.Ed., provides TA to states to support their MTSS implementation. Her current projects include the Utah MTSS (UMTSS) Project and the Delaware Early Literacy Initiative (DELI). Her interests include enhancing Tier 1/universal supports and services, instructional coaching for…

Timara Davis, PhD is a Researcher at the American Institutes for Research (AIR). Dr. Davis supports research, evaluation and technical assistance projects that focus on special education, high-leverage practices (HLPs), evidence-based practices, multi-tiered system of supports (MTSS) in reading…

Sara Evans provides technical assistance and coaching in the areas of special education and MTSS. She has extensive experience in special education services, IDEA and 504 laws, transition services, future planning, MTSS implementation, data-based decision making and systems coaching. Prior to…

Thomas M. Flanigan is a Technical Assistance Consultant for the District and School Improvement Center at American Institutes for Research (AIR). His current work involves supporting district MTSS implementation, Integrated MTSS Fidelity Rubric calibration, MTSS and early literacy, providing…

Abigail M. Foley is a senior researcher in the Learning Supports program at American Institutes for Research (AIR). Her primary responsibilities include directing and managing projects that offer professional learning on evidence-based practices and programs to education stakeholders nationwide…

Sarah Frazelle is a senior researcher at AIR, focusing on projects related to college and career readiness and success. Before joining AIR in 2023, she was the director of multitiered systems of support and early warning indicators at the Puget Sound Educational Service District, a regional…

Patti Furlano has provided support to districts and schools for comprehensive school improvement planning, implementation and monitoring including development of a strong and effective Multi-tiered System of Support for over 25 years. She has served as project lead for a Network Learning…

Melinda Griffin, Ph.D., works on research, evaluation, and TA projects with a primary focus on K-16 mathematics instruction and teacher development. She draws upon her prior experience as a teacher, instructional coach, and Statewide Mathematics Content Specialist for the Massachusetts…

Ursula Hill, EdD, is a senior technical assistance consultant at the MTSS Center at AIR. She has more than 22 years of experience in public education as a special educator and school administrator, with substantial knowledge and experience working with Title I schools and transformation…

Dia Jackson, Ed.D., provides leadership on technical assistance, research and professional development projects to states and school districts in the areas of MTSS, special education best practices, and equity. Currently, Dr. Jackson directs the Arkansas RTI State Professional Development Grant…

Sheila Lovato, M.Ed, has developed trainings and provided technical assistance support for MTSS at the school, district, regional and state level. With over 24 years in education, she has taught multiple grade levels, and worked in a variety of roles in higher education and at state agencies.…

Betheny Lyke, Ed. D., a lifelong educator with 20 years of experience, has been a teacher, assistant principal, principal, assistant superintendent and superintendent. Currently, Dr.

Caitlyn E. Majeika, Ph.D., researcher at AIR, supports a portfolio of research on special education and multi-tiered systems of support (MTSS). Dr. Majeika is a research analyst on the Integrated MTSS Fidelity Rubric project where she provides content expertise to support the development,…

Robert V. Mayo, Ph.D., NCC provides training, technical assistance and coaching to states and districts around the country. His primary areas of focus include developing and implementing strategic partnerships comprised of institutions of higher education, regional intermediary support…

Cheryl Patterson-Menckowski, M.Ed. leads four school/district improvement projects in Illinois. These projects are a varied combination of leadership coaching, instructional coaching, leadership team development, MTSS team development and coaching, EWIMS implementation, data collection, progress…

Cat Merkle is a research assistant in the Learning Supports program area at American Institutes for Research and supports projects at the MTSS Center through providing technical and research assistance. She has experience conducting MTSS implementation research in both the SEA and academic…

Amy Peterson, M.Ed., has more than thirteen years of experience conducting public policy and education research, communications, and professional development to support schools, districts and states in defining and refining their MTSS frameworks, implementing evidence-based practices, using data…

Jon Potter provides consultation and technical assistance to state departments and school districts on the implementation of MTSS. He also supports the development of training and coaching materials related to MTSS and effective instruction. Dr. Potter has extensive experience in data-based…

Jenna Richard is a former math interventionist and currently provides TA to Rhode Island schools/districts to help build their capacity to implement evidence-based practices within MTSS. She has extensive knowledge of mathematics and MTSS implementation at the elementary and secondary level, and…

Cory Stai, M.Ed., leverages 25 years of teaching and leadership experience to provide subject matter expertise and technical assistance to state agencies and school districts focused on evidence-based instruction and policies for literacy, standards-based education, MTSS/RTI, assessment, and…

Brittany Sterrett, Ph.D., is a research analyst at AIR who provides technical assistance, professional development, and research supports to various states and school districts in the areas of MTSS and special education best practices. Dr. Sterrett’s professional and research interests include…

Maggie Trout provides TA and professional development to school districts focused on implementing evidence-based literacy instructional routines and practices in alignment with the Science of Reading. She is passionate about supporting building leadership in establishing systems to support an…

Sarah Willey, Ed.D., has extensive experience in school and district leadership as well as supporting implementation of MTSS within the continuous improvement process. Dr. Willey has implemented schoolwide programs in the teaching of pro-social skills and positive intervention programs,…

Zach Weingarten, Ed.D., provides TA to states, districts, and schools in the areas of MTSS and intensive intervention for students with disabilities and other students with severe and persistent learning and behavior needs. Currently, he serves as Project Director for the Delaware Early Literacy…