Daniel Perry believes that all students deserve access and support to reach their greatest potential through dedicated, knowledgeable, and equity-focused educators.

Daniel has been an educator for over twenty years, with a majority within Chicago Public Schools as a teacher, assistant principal, principal, Deputy Chief of Schools, and Chief of Schools. As Chief of Schools, he led 32 elementary schools (PreK-8th grade) in leadership development, professional learning, and curriculum implementation. In this role, selected schools partnered with Leading Educators to increase staff capacity in mindset and pedagogy of math instruction, as well as implementation with the district-created curriculum in English Language Arts.

Daniel earned his MS in Elementary Education from Northwestern University as well as an MBA in Education Leadership from Keller Graduate School of Management. Daniel was recognized as a CPS Principal Fellow in which he worked on educational policy as a Capstone project, while receiving Executive Leadership training from Northwestern University.

Stacy Stewart is an accomplished education leader with a legacy spanning over three decades, currently serving as Senior Director of Networks at Leading Educators, overseeing transformative professional learning and student success initiatives in Harlem's Community School District.

Before her role at Leading Educators, Stacy Stewart's education journey encompassed 31 years at Chicago Public Schools, where she held the position of Deputy Chief of Schools for Network 13, overseeing 32 elementary schools and receiving acclaim as a Golden Apple Award-winning principal at Belmont-Cragin Elementary on Chicago’s Northwest side. She further contributes to education as a member of the Cahn Fellows program, where she serves as an alumni advisor, and she is also a member of the board of the Chicago Cahn Fellows and the Illinois ASCD.

Amanda Drenth designs curriculum-based professional learning and supports direct curriculum implementation as a Director of Content and Coaching.

Amanda is a former platelet research scientist who became an educator in 2008. Throughout her teaching career, Amanda has taught every grade level from K-8. Most recently, she was a 4th grade teacher. She was a teacher in her most recent district for 8 years where she served as the President of the South Berwyn Education Association (SBEA) for four years. During her time teaching in Berwyn, she worked in collaboration with the Illinois Safe School Alliance to adopt policies to protect transgender students’ rights at the elementary and middle school levels; making her district the first school district in Illinois to have such protections.

Amanda grew up in her hometown of Maywood, Illinois, the daughter of an Irish mother and an immigrant Mexican father. Involved in political activism since her childhood, she was the Co-chair of the original Women’s March for Illinois, bussing over 3,000 people to Washington, D.C. in 2017. She was the co-chair of the 2021 inaugural Juneteenth Celebration in her current hometown of Berwyn, Illinois.

As a lady living with ADD, Amanda is the proud mother of 3 neurodiverse children, and has been married for the past 22 years to her husband Chris, who is an art teacher.
In her spare time, Amanda enjoys being the frontwoman and vocalist for her 90s cover band, and is also a singer and original songwriter with 1 album done, and one in progress.

Sydney is an equity-driven educator who hopes to assist teachers in creating affirming, rigorous, and exciting learning experiences for students. She is an Instructional Leadership Coach based in New York and will thereby ensure that Leading Educators programming makes a meaningful impact on how instructional leaders influence teacher practice.

Before joining Leading Educators, Sydney worked with the Philips Brooks House Association, a university student- led nonprofit organization that provides academic support and recreational experiencers to underserved communities in Boston. After moving to New York, Sydney spent her professional time teaching ELA, developing curriculum, mentoring teachers, and fostering community throughout schools in Brooklyn.

Sydney holds a BA in Psychology from Harvard University and a Masters in Education from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. During her free time, Sydney enjoys spending time with her baby nephew, cooking, and discovering new music.

Michael is an Instructional Leadership Coach-ELA based in New York City, where he is responsible for coaching teachers and school leaders in the implementation of HMH's Into Reading curriculum.

Before joining Leading Educators, Michael began his career in education in Charlotte, North Carolina as a Teach for America corps member committed to providing an impactful, just, and joyful academic experience as a middle school history teacher. After years of service in Charlotte, North Carolina, Michael relocated to New York City, where he continued to make a difference in the lives of students in the Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brownsville, and Bushwick communities of Brooklyn, New York, as an ELA teacher and school leader- igniting his student’s personal passion and love of literacy. Michael has made a mark as a servant leader in the public school and public charter school sector, having served in various roles such as an Instructional Coach and mentor, Dean of Students, Academic Dean of Instruction, and Principal Fellow.

Michael holds a BA degree in Sociology from his beloved Alma Maters, Hampton University, and an M. Ed in Educational Leadership and Administration from The George Washington University. In his personal time, Michael enjoys traveling, music, working on voiceover projects, brunch, and spending time with family and friends.

Kemi is a devoted and enthusiastic advocate dedicated to making a difference in education. She is the Associate Director of Networks and is excited to work in expanding and improving system-level conditions for professional development, teaching, and learning.

Before joining Leading Educators, Kemi served as an administrative professional in postsecondary institutions for over 8 years, managing programs, advising students, and collaborating with cross-functional departments to examine metrics and develop plans for accomplishing institutional initiatives. She is enthusiastic about leveraging her experience and skills to create a meaningful impact in primary and secondary education.

Kemi holds an MA in Higher Education Administration from Southern New Hampshire University. In her free time she cohosts a podcast entitled “Your Advisors Will See You Now” which serves as a resource to aid families and students in career and college readiness.