Dr. Jim Heal is a leading advocate for bridging the worlds of research and practice in education and co-founder of Learning Science Partners, which creates transformative professional learning experiences rooted in the principles of learning science.  His work seeks to develop expertise in evidence-informed instruction and leadership in K-12 schools, school districts, and higher education institutions.

Dr. Heal was a teacher and principal for ten years in the UK before moving to the US, where he became Director of Practice at Harvard’s Research Schools International initiative. At Deans for Impact, a US-based non-profit, he increased teacher effectiveness by infusing the science of learning into educator preparation.

He serves as Professor of Evidence-Informed Education Leadership at Academica University of Applied Sciences in Amsterdam and taught at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, where he earned his doctorate in educational leadership. He is the author of three books on education: How Teaching Happens, Mental Models, and Instructional Illusions.

Margaret (Meg) Lee is known for helping education systems translate learning science into coherent professional learning and instructional practice. She is co-founder of Learning Science Partners, where she works with Dr. Jim Heal in long-term partnership with schools, districts, and organizations seeking to apply research on how learning happens in practical and sustainable ways. 

Meg spent 30 years in public education, serving in roles that included classroom teacher, professional learning specialist, school-based administrator, and central office executive leader. Most recently, she led induction and professional learning in a large, innovative public school district recognized for its sustained work in evidence-informed practice. 

She is the author of Mindsets for Parents: Strategies to Encourage Growth Mindsets in Kids (2nd ed.) and has taught graduate-level courses in education and psychology. Her work in the science of learning has led to collaborative projects with ASCD, ISTE, Learning Forward, Edutopia, Teaching Channel, and the Education Writers Association.

Arielle Jennings is a leader in systems improvement and organizational growth with 20 years of experience helping mission-driven organizations scale and achieve sustainable impact. She has partnered with school districts, state agencies, nonprofit organizations, and community leaders to advance policy, build organizational capacity, and lead systems-level change. She has supported both emerging and established organizations through periods of expansion, innovation, and transformation.

Arielle previously served as Chief Partnerships Officer and Regional Executive Director at Generation Citizen, a national education nonprofit, where she helped scale organizational impact, design district-wide implementation models, and advance state-level education policy.

Arielle holds a Master of Education from the Harvard Graduate School of Education and a bachelor's degree in psychology and human services from George Washington University.

Dr. Rebekah Berlin is an educator, author, and organizational leader who helps educators translate research on learning into practical decisions about teaching and professional practice. She is the co-author, with Dr. Jim Heal, of Mental Models: How Understanding the Mind Can Transform the Way You Work and Learn and facilitates workshops that make cognitive science accessible, relevant, and immediately useful to educators and leaders.

Rebekah began her career as a classroom teacher in Memphis and has since led national initiatives focused on teacher development, instructional improvement, and evidence-informed practice. She is currently Co-Founder and CEO of TeachSim, an education nonprofit developing AI-enabled simulations and observation tools to help teachers build expertise. Previously, she served as Vice President of Programs at Deans for Impact and as a product leader at Teachstone. Her Ph.D. is from the University of Virginia.

Kent Wetzel is an educator and professional learning leader focused on translating research on teaching and learning into practical, evidence-informed approaches for educators and school leaders. He currently serves as a Teacher Specialist for Leadership & Organizational Development with Frederick County Public Schools in Maryland, where he designs and facilitates professional learning for leaders across the school system.

Kent began his career as a middle school history teacher, an experience that continues to shape his commitment to connecting research with the realities of classrooms, schools, and educational systems. His work focuses on the science of learning, evidence-informed practice, leadership development, and the design of professional learning that helps educators translate research into meaningful changes in practice.

Kent previously served as an adjunct faculty member in education at Hood College, where he also earned his Master of Education. He regularly shares his work with educators beyond his district and has presented at Learning Forward, researchED, the U.S. Festival of Education, and the Center for Transformative Teaching & Learning’s Academy for the Science of Learning. His writing has also appeared in Learning Forward’s The Learning Professional, where he explored practical approaches for integrating the science of learning into educational practice.