Michael F. DiPaola, Ed.D. is Chancellor Professor in the School of Education at William & Mary whose career in public schools spanned three decades, serving as a classroom teacher, assistant principal, high school principal, and district superintendent. Since joining the university faculty in 1998 his teaching and research, in the Educational Policy, Planning & Leadership Program, has focused on the interactions of professionals in school organizations, formative and summative assessment of professionals, school improvement, and the preparation of school leaders.

Tracey L. Schneider, J.D., Ph.D. began her career in education as an education law attorney and worked for more than a decade with school administrators and boards to understand and comply with laws impacting schools. She is currently Assistant Professor at Stockton University and travels throughout the country providing training and professional development to school administrators, school boards, and attorneys on a variety of education law and policy issues.

Steven R. Staples, Ed.D. is an Executive Professor in the School of Education at William & Mary whose career in public schools spanned four decades, serving as a classroom teacher, assistant principal, assistant superintendent and school superintendent for last 17 of those years. In 2008 joined faculty of the School of Education at William & Mary until 2012, when became the executive director of the state superintendent's association. In 2014 Steve was selected and served as State Superintendent of Public Instruction for the Commonwealth of Virginia from 2014 until 2018, when he returned to William & Mary.