Dr. Chism is the Director for the Office of State Support in the Office of Elementary and Secondary Education.  Dr. Chism has held a series of positions in the field of education as a teacher, researcher, state administrator, and Assistant Superintendent of Illinois State.  In these positions she gained a deep knowledge of what is required to close achievement gaps and cultivate culturally proficient schools.

Libby brings to the Office of Early Learning a lifetime of early learning experience from her work in schools, Head Start and child care, serving both children with and without disabilities.  Doggett holds a doctorate from the University of Texas in early childhood special education.

Kay Rigling is the Deputy Assistant General Counsel for the Division of Elementary, Secondary, Adult and Vocational Education. She has worked in that division since 1979.

Mr. Rooney has helped lead the work of the Reform Support Network, providing technical assistance to States implementing comprehensive Race to the Top reforms and leads efforts to support states as they develop and implement educator equity plans.

Ruth Ryder is the Acting Director of the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP), U.S. Department of Education.  OSEP has responsibility for the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act program, providing financial support to States through formula grant programs and national leadership in supporting States through technical assistance, personnel preparation, parent training, technology and State personnel development. Prior to joining OSEP, Ms. Ryder was a program administrator for a school district in Washington State with responsibility for an OSERS funded special education demonstration project examining integrated service delivery models for including children with disabilities in general education.  She also administered the ESEA Title 1 and Title II programs, State-remediation, gifted education, outcome-based education, and State-and district-wide testing programs.  Additionally, she was a special education consulting teacher and a general education classroom teacher.

Marianna is the Deputy Director of the Office of English Language Acquisition and lead the development of the EL Tool Kit.