Makiri Pugh
Managing Director of Teaching, Learning, and Innovation, Maya Angelou Public Charter Schools (DC)
Makiri Pugh is a seasoned instructional leader, systems strategist, and AI integration expert with over a decade of experience transforming outcomes in alternative and charter school environments. He currently serves as the Managing Director of Teaching, Learning, and Innovation at Maya Angelou Schools and See Forever Foundation, where he leads networkwide academic strategy, instructional coherence, and professional development across five campuses.
Mandy Couturier
Director of MTSS, Harwood Unified Union School District (VT)
Mandy Couturier is the Director of MTSS for the Harwood Unified Union School District in Vermont, where she leads districtwide efforts to build equitable, effective systems of support for all learners. With over 20 years in education—including a decade as a special educator and seven years as Principal of Moretown Elementary—Mandy brings deep expertise in inclusive instruction, behavioral supports, and systems-level leadership.
Susan Long
Educational Consultant, Branching Minds
As a consultant with Branching Minds, she supports school leaders and educators in building MTSS handbooks, implementing best practices, and using data to guide instruction and intervention. Her coaching empowers districts to build sustainable systems that close achievement gaps and support all learners. Susan’s personal mission is to ensure every child’s civil right to learn to read is fulfilled.