Pearson Assessment for Learning Suite (PALS) Professional Learning
The Pearson Assessment for Learning Suite is a category of K–12 assessments that support educators, caregivers, and students in improving their educational outcomes. Within the suite, our products make it easy to assess your students’ academic, behavioral, and overall wellbeing, while making data-informed decisions to support them.
Our professional development and training mission is to simplify complex information and make industry-leading assessments accessible and applicable to everyday users.
We bridge the gap between scientific rigor and practical application, ensuring that our assessments provide not just scores but insights that can be translated into real-world solutions.
If you have attended a course and have follow up questions, please contact us at pdscheduling@pearson.com
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Sonia Stevenson
Professional Development Manager
Chris Belmont
Learning Facilitator
Scott Crooks
Learning Facilitator
Cherie Davis
Learning Facilitator
Amy Donato
Learning Facilitator
Renee Foster
Learning Facilitator
Meagan Gillcrist
Learning Facilitator
Andrea Gordon
Learning Facilitator
Allison Kline
Learning Facilitator
Stephanie Leal
Learning Facilitator
Amanda March
Learning Facilitator
Scott Piotrowski
Learning Facilitator
Denise Ricks
Learning Facilitator
Melissa Sadlowski
Learning Facilitator
Christina Sakelarakis
Learning Facilitator
Lauren Short
Learning Facilitator
Jason Skube
Learning Facilitator
Nicalee Stephens
Learning Facilitator
Denise Ricks
Learning Facilitator
Denise has been a Pearson Learning Facilitator with the School Assessment team since 2010, providing onsite and web-based training and consulting on customized professional development for Pearson assessments. With over 15 years at Pearson and experience as a teacher, interventionist, and literacy coach, Denise leverages her expertise to maximize learning outcomes. She holds an MEd in Reading Education from the University of Georgia and a BA in Education from UNC, Chapel Hill. Denise is an expert on aimswebPlus, DRA3, TELL, WriteToLearn and NNAT3.
Sonia Stevenson
Professional Development Manager
Sonia is an educational leader with 15+ years in school psychology, special education, and administration. She’s passionate about equity, student success, and inclusive learning. She’s supported districts with strategic planning, data-driven decisions, and professional development. Sonia holds advanced degrees in school psychology and administration
Scott Piotrowski
Learning Facilitator
Scott is a Learning Facilitator with the School Assessment team, providing onsite and web-based training. With over two decades in education, he has worked as a school psychologist and MTSS/Title 1 Coordinator. As a nationally certified aimsweb trainer since 2010, Scott specializes in CBM, data-based decision making, and MTSS structures. He holds degrees from SUNY Fredonia and Northern Illinois University. In his free time, Scott enjoys sports, traveling, and family time.
Allison Kline
Learning Facilitator
Allison is a dedicated educator with over a decade of experience in general and special education, focusing on ELA and math. She plays a pivotal role in MTSS, teacher mentorship, and community engagement. As an Educational Consultant at Pearson since 2021, Allison brings valuable insights into aimswebPlus, DRA, and TELL. She holds dual certification in general and special education and a Master's degree in Educational Leadership.
Amy Donato
Learning Facilitator
Amy Donato is excited to join Pearson as a Learning Facilitator, bringing over a decade of experience in education. She earned her BA in Middle Childhood Education from Muskingum University and has since embraced diverse teaching environments, from traditional classrooms to virtual learning spaces. Most recently, she contributed to an EdTech startup, where she specialized in instructional coaching and professional development for educators. Above all, Amy is passionate about fostering meaningful relationships and making a lasting, positive impact.
Cherie Davis
Learning Facilitator
With over 20 years of experience, Cherie Davis is a dedicated school psychologist and educational consultant. She advocates for MTSS, helping schools implement and optimize this model. A Nationally Certified School Psychologist, she fosters a collaborative environment and continuous improvement. Cherie holds a Specialist degree in School Psychology from Eastern Illinois University and incorporates wellness into her daily life. Cherie supports PD for aimswebPlus, TELL, NNAT3, DRA3 and EDL2+.
Chris Belmont
Learning Facilitator
Chris has been a practicing school psychologist in Minnesota since 2002, serving K-12 students. He holds Master's and Specialist degrees in School Psychology from MSUM and is a Nationally Certified School Psychologist. Chris introduced benchmark testing and progress monitoring using curriculum-based measures to several districts. He leads MTSS and professional development for educators. Outside of work, Chris enjoys family time, traveling, and raising corals in his saltwater aquarium. Chris is one of our aimswebPlus experts and has provided meaningful PD since 2005.
Christina Sakelarakis
Learning Facilitator
Christina has been a Learning Facilitator for Clinical and CAP Assessments since 2022, developing professional development content and providing training. She holds national and state certifications as a school psychologist in Massachusetts, California, and Texas. Christina has extensive experience in psychoeducational assessment, intervention planning, and educational consulting. She holds degrees from the University of Connecticut and Northeastern University. Christina specializes in aimswebPlus, TELL, and Review360.
Renee Foster
Learning Facilitator
Renee Foster is a Learning Facilitator who works with the School Assessment team to provide onsite and web-based training to customers. She has over two decades of experience in education. She began her education journey as a fourth and fifth grade teacher for the Clark County School District in Las Vegas, Nevada. After her time there, she moved to her current home to teach third grade in Cleveland, Ohio. Over the years, she has been in the role of Instructional Coach, Principal, various network wide and district wide level roles K-12 providing instructional support to teachers and school leaders in Ohio and across the country. She holds a bachelor's degree in economics and management from Albion College and a master's degree in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Science of reading content, instructional coaching, and data-based decision making are her areas of expertise. When Renee is not working with educators, she enjoys traveling with her husband, trying new restaurants, cooking, and cheering on her favorite teams at sporting events.
Andrea Gordon
Learning Facilitator
Andrea Gordon is a Part-Time Learning Facilitator with a strong background in special education instruction, case management, and school leadership. She brings a practitioner-focused perspective to professional learning, grounded in her experience supporting educators and students across diverse instructional settings.
Throughout her career, Andrea has worked closely with teachers, specialists, and school leadership teams to improve instructional practices and student outcomes. Her experience as an Assistant Principal and special education case manager has equipped her to support data-informed decision-making, collaborative problem-solving, and effective implementation of instructional and compliance-driven practices.
Andrea holds a Bachelor of Science in Special Education and a Master of Science in Educational Leadership. Her areas of expertise include special education instruction, case management, and building systems that support effective teaching and learning. She is committed to empowering educators through meaningful, practical professional development that positively impacts student success.
Nicalee Stephens
Learning Facilitator
Nicalee Stephens is a dynamic educator passionate about cultivating growth, inspiring excellence, and building meaningful connections. She creates collaborative environments where educators and students feel empowered to thrive, grounded in her belief that strong relationships drive lasting impact.
A lifelong learner, Nicalee continuously seeks innovative ways to support educators, ensuring they have the tools, confidence, and insight to succeed. She measures success by the sustained growth of those she serves. When educators and students flourish, so does her work.
With 27 years in education as a teacher, instructional facilitator, and principal, Nicalee brings deep expertise in coaching, curriculum development, data-driven instruction, and leadership development. She credits her greatest growth to learning alongside students as they reach their full potential.
As a Learning Facilitator with Pearson, she partners with educators to strengthen instructional practices and drive meaningful student growth.
Lauren Short
Learning Facilitator
Lauren Short is an educational leader and consultant with over 20 years of experience in education, instructional leadership, instructional coaching, turn around schoolwork, and district-level systems design. She is passionate about advancing educational equity, strengthening instructional practice, and empowering educators to create rigorous, student-centered learning environments. Throughout her career, she has partnered with ed tech companies, universities, state departments of education, school districts, leadership teams, and teachers to lead strategic planning, data-driven improvement cycles, and high-impact professional learning.
With deep expertise in high quality instruction and curriculum implementation, Lauren has guided schools through the adoption of high-quality instructional materials, the design of sustainable coaching systems, and the development of strong instructional leadership practices. As a former district director of teacher coaching, content specialist, and school leader, she designed successful academic programs, comprehensive coaching frameworks, facilitated leader development, and supported transformative shifts in classroom practice. Her consulting work now extends nationally and internationally, helping schools accelerate student achievement while building cultures of joy, collaboration, and accountability.
She holds a degree in Early Childhood Education from the University of Maryland, College Park, and a Master’s in Educational Leadership from Teachers College, Columbia University. She has also completed advanced training in Transformative Coaching, Science-of-Reading–aligned literacy practices, and social-emotional learning frameworks, including Yale’s RULER approach. Known for her dynamic facilitation style, strategic thinking, and ability to translate complex challenges into clear action, Lauren remains committed to helping schools build systems where both students and educators thrive.
Jason Skube
Learning Facilitator
Jason Skube, an education and learning leader residing in the Chicago suburbs, has dedicated over two decades to advancing teaching, leadership, and student growth in K–12 education. His educational journey includes a Bachelor of Music in Music Education from Millikin University, a Master of Music in Music Education from Michigan State University, and a Master of Arts in Educational Administration from Governors State University, grounding his work in both instructional leadership and the arts. Throughout his career, Jason has held various roles, including classroom teacher, Gifted Program Coordinator, Dean of Students, and Assistant Principal, giving him a practitioner’s perspective on how systems, culture, and instruction intersect. Jason’s professional passions center on personalized learning pathways, data-driven decision making, social-emotional learning, and the value of fine arts education in nurturing the holistic development of students; he firmly believes that social-emotional wellness serves as a cornerstone for academic success and healthy school communities. Jason is an advocate for transformative and sustainable technology, including ethical and responsible uses of AI in education to support instructional design, student learning, and school operations. He is especially energized by professional development that empowers educators to teach, lead, and learn with clarity, confidence, and purpose. Across all his roles, Jason’s work is driven by a belief that meaningful innovation must be human-centered, evidence-informed, and built to endure.
Meagan Gillcrist
Learning Facilitator
Meagan has been a Learning Facilitator since 2024. Meagan holds a BA from Old Dominion University and an MAEd from the College of William and Mary, specializing in Special Education. With over 14 years of experience, she has served as an Instructional Coach, Special Education Program Director, and educational consultant. Meagan supports the development of sustainable MTSS practices, focusing on implementation and improvement science. Her approach enhances high-impact, low-burden practices for both students and teachers. Meagan is an expert on Review360 and WriteToLearn.
Melissa Sadlowski
Learning Facilitator
Melissa has been a Learning Facilitator with Pearson since 2023. She provides onsite and web-based training with the School Assessment team. She shares her knowledge of aimswebPlus to help educators improve student performance. Melissa consults with customers for customized professional learning. She holds a Bachelor’s in Elementary Education from Washington State University and a Master’s in Educational Leadership from Eastern Washington University. With over 25 years of experience, she enjoys family time and exploring Alaska. Melissa specializes in all things aimswebPlus!
Sandra Spruell
Learning Facilitator
Sandra is an experienced educator and educational consultant with a strong background in curriculum development, instructional leadership, and intervention strategies. With over three decades in public education, she has taught multiple grade levels and contributed to district-wide initiatives in curriculum design, teacher mentorship, and professional development. Sandra holds a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership and multiple certifications. She is dedicated to improving student outcomes and supporting educators. Sandra has been a Learning Facilitator with Pearson since 2024.
Scott Crooks
Learning Facilitator
Scott is a Learning Facilitator with the Pearson School Assessment team, providing onsite and web-based training. He helps educators gather, understand, and act on information. In his free time, Scott enjoys spending time with his wife and three kids, teaching at universities, and indulging in reading and video games.
Stephanie Leal
Learning Facilitator
Stephanie, Learning Facilitator and Educational Consultant with Pearson, has over 30 years of experience in education as a school psychologist, special education director, and in student information technology support. She provides onsite and web-based training with the School Assessment team. A nationally certified aimswebPlus trainer, Stephanie holds degrees from Texas A&M University and the University of Houston – Clear Lake. Outside of work, she teaches Zumba, enjoys hiking, and spends time with her adult children.
Amanda L. March
Learning Facilitator
Amanda is a dynamic, motivated, and engaging professional learning and evaluation consultant with over 20 years of experience positively impacting educators and students by bringing research to meaningful practice. Facilitating individuals and educational systems in using data to demonstrate growth, Amanda is a results-driven leader with expertise in designing, delivering, and evaluating high-quality professional learning for all educators. She is a Nationally Certified School Psychologist (NCSP) and program evaluator with a proven history of developing innovative approaches to support and sustain equitable Multi-tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) so all students succeed and thrive. She has extensive research, evaluation, training, technical assistance, and coaching experience with a passion for inclusive educational systems change to improve educator, student, and community outcomes.
Amanda is the Founder and Chief Learning Officer (CFO) of Rise and Align Consulting, LLC, specializing in guiding educational institutions and nonprofits through the intricate process of systemic improvement. She ensures a transformative change that resonates at every level by aligning organizations’ core values with practical, actionable strategies. Amanda has served in a variety of professional leadership roles, such as Consultant and Facilitator for Harvard University’s Proving Ground, Professional Learning and Evaluation Leader for Corwin Press, the Professional Learning, Research, and Evaluation Coordinator with the Florida Problem Solving/Response to Intervention Project at the University of South Florida, Coaching Coordinator for the Florida PBIS Project, and Independent Consultant for several organizations. She is the Executive Director and Past President of Learning Forward Florida. Amanda has worked as program evaluator for various institutions and nonprofits, building-based school psychologist, PLC facilitator, RtI coach, curriculum developer, district MTSS project coordinator, grant writer, adjunct professor, state consultant, and professional development trainer within public schools.
Originally from Springfield, Illinois, Dr. March attended Eastern Illinois University (EIU) for undergrad and Illinois State University (ISU) for her Specialist in School Psychology (SSP). She began her career at the Greater Lafayette Area Special Services (GLASS) Special Education Cooperative in Lafayette, Indiana. She then received her Ph.D. in School Psychology at the University of South Florida (USF), specializing in organizational consultation, systems change, and program evaluation. She lives in St. Petersburg, Florida.
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