Debbie Zacarian is known for her expertise in strengths-based leadership, instructional practices, and partnerships with culturally and linguistically diverse student and family populations. As founder of Zacarian & Associates and with more than three decades of combined experience as a district administrator, University of Massachusetts-Amherst faculty member, and educational service leader, she provides sustained policy and practice supports for educators that help them work more successfully with diverse student and family populations to strengthen achievement and outcomes. Her work credo is "achievement through access, equity, and engagement."

Zacarian was the founder and director of the Center for English Language Education and Advancing Student Achievement at the Collaborative for Educational Services. As founding director of Amherst Public Schools bilingual and English learner program, she and the district received many local, state, and national honors for its work with English learners. Zacarian has authored multiple books and more than 100 journal articles and educational policies for urban, suburban, and rural districts and state agencies.

Michael Silverstone is a veteran primary grades teacher and education writer. After 15 years as a 2nd grade teacher, his interest in intrinsic motivation, mindfulness, and creative expression led him to become a Montessori educator. In 2017, he was selected as an American Montessori Society Emerging Leaders Fellow. Currently, Silverstone is a staff member of the Montessori Elementary Education Teacher Training Collaborative as well as a lower elementary (ages 6–9) teacher in the Boston area.