Courtney Wilburn has 25 years of experience as a teacher, instructional coach, principal, and deputy superintendent. Ms. Wilburn was on the founding board of the Alabama Association of Middle Level Educators (ALAMLE) and has served as a CLAS mentor for new administrators. She is in the Jacksonville State University Alumni Hall of Fame and was the 2018 Alabama Middle School Principal of the Year. She is currently the Alabama State Department of Education Administrator for the Governor's Turnaround Initiative. In this position she plans, coordinates, and oversees the turnaround process for schools across the state.  

Tim Solley has more than 37 years of experience in public school education. He currently serves as a leadership coach for the Alabama Department of Education’s Office of School Improvement. He has previously served as a classroom teacher, assistant principal, principal, director of middle schools, director of teaching and learning, assistant superintendent of instruction and academic accountability, and leadership coach.

Dr. Colleen Edwards is an Education Specialist with the Office of School Improvement and proudly serves schools in the Governor's Turnaround Initiative and other CSI schools in Region 10.  She is proud to be an educator with over 30 years of experience in Alabama schools. 

Monique Gordon has over 16 years of experience in education and currently serves as an Education Specialist. She has taught in both urban and rural elementary and middle schools across Alabama. Throughout her career, she has served as an assistant principal, reading coach, instructional coach, reading interventionist, and district-based instructional leader. Monique has also been a part of two school systems under state takeover, giving her a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities that come with school improvement and transformation. She holds an Instructional Leader certification with an emphasis of the PACT (Project Alabama Consortium for Turnaround) turnaround principal-leadership development model—a program designed to build high-impact leadership in schools needing urgent support. These diverse roles and experiences have provided her with invaluable insight into academic achievement, systems change, and successful student outcomes. 

Dr. Sherron Jinadu possesses over 42 years of experience in the field of education. She began her career as a special education teacher and matriculated into administration. She has worked with elementary through high school students as a teacher and administrator. She is a retired high school principal who currently serves as a principal coach for the Office of School Improvement at the Alabama State Department of Education. Dr. Jinadu collaborates with five of the fifteen Turnaround Schools participating in Governor Ivey’s Turnaround Initiative within Alabama. Prior to her current role, she served as a School Turnaround Specialist with the Rensselaerville Institute (Albany, NY), where she worked with schools in Mississippi, Florida, and Alabama. Notably, Dr. Jinadu is the CEO of We Care Educational Services and she assisted a school in Alabama in improving their reading scores from 13% to 54% in 2024. 

Charissa Lambert has served in public education for twenty years as a Secondary English Teacher, Instructional Partner, and as a Literacy Specialist in the Office of School Improvement for ALSDE.  Supporting schools in Regions 1-7 has proven to be highly rewarding as Charissa prides herself as a teacher advocate and champion for students.  This passion for all things literacy in her professional life is also evident in her personal life as she is an avid reader and writer.   

Dr. Susan Patterson is a retired Alabama educator with 31 years of experience, having served in roles ranging from teacher and principal to superintendent. Her accomplished leadership is evidenced by advanced training and certificates from Harvard University in Instructional Rounds and AASA’s National Superintendent Academy. Since retiring in 2021, she has worked with the Office of School Improvement and the Governor’s Turnaround Schools. 

Bianca Shepherd is an experienced educator with 21 years in the field. Her career spans roles as a classroom teacher, reading and math coach, interventionist, district math supervisor, and currently, an Education Specialist focused on school improvement. Bianca is passionate about driving student success through data-informed strategies and instructional support. 

Ardrinnia Strum is a dedicated educator with over two decades of experience in Alabama’s public school system, excelling in both teaching and leadership roles. As an Education and Literacy Specialist Teacher with the Office of School Improvement, she designs dynamic, standards-aligned lessons that equip students for college and career success.

With expertise in English instruction and teacher leadership, Ms. Strum is recognized for her proficiency in evidence-based teaching strategies, digital learning tools, and inclusive approaches that drive student engagement and achievement. A passionate advocate for educator development, she mentors new teachers, leads impactful professional learning sessions, and utilizes data-driven insights to enhance literacy and academic outcomes. Through her comprehensive approach, Ardrinnia continues to inspire students and colleagues alike.

Tracey Wray is an Education Specialist with the Office of School Improvement, currently in her second year supporting the Governor’s Turnaround Schools across Montgomery, Barbour County, and Dothan. With over 25 years of experience in education spanning every grade level, she began her career as a classroom teacher and has served in a variety of leadership roles including instructional technology specialist, high school assistant principal, elementary school principal, and district supervisor of instruction for middle and high schools. In addition to her current role, she serves as an advisor for the NAESP PreK–3 Leadership Academy, where she facilitates learning on developmentally appropriate early childhood practices. Tracey enjoys partnering with principals and teachers to bring each school’s vision to life.