ELP 2023-2024 Cohort

Jason Bluestein

Jason Bluestein is a proud UConn graduate. He has been an educator for 30 years, first as a teacher and for the past 18 years as an administrator. He has worked at both the elementary and middle school levels and has taught at the university level as an adjunct for the past 20 years. Bluestein is the proud father of two sons and a big fan of sports and exercise.

Cyndi Callahan

Leah Champ Burdick

After formal schooling in Boston, Leah Champ Burdick returned to her home state to teach. She was a classroom teacher and instructional coach for 15 years (in Hartford, West Hartford, New Britain, and New London) and have been an administrator for the past six years. Champ Burdick enjoys spending time with her three children and husband, as well as training for triathlons.

Mike Dunn

Mike Dunn is blessed to be entering his eighth year as principal of Granby Memorial High School, after serving in town as Kelly Lane Intermediate principal and K-12 ELA Supervisor, and for the 17 previous years as an English teacher at Farmington High School, where he also served as department leader. With a B.A. from Notre Dame and M.Ed from Teachers College, Dunn is excited to join his wife and sons as UConn Huskies, and eager to collaborate with professors and cohort colleagues as they grow together to continue to expand opportunities for each and every learner. Having coached his own kids in Wethersfield and collaborated with terrific teams in Farmington and Granby, Dunn looks forward to the coaching and teamwork ahead in addressing the varied challenges educators face while keeping student and staff learning and well-being at the forefront.

Garan Mullin

Heather Nickerson

Flora Padro

Nelson Rivera

Lisa Romano

As a devoted educational leader, Lisa Romano currently serves as an elementary school principal in Naugatuck Public Schools. With a background encompassing various roles in education, including middle and elementary school administrator, district-level supervisor, and elementary teacher in Waterbury Public Schools, she embodies the philosophy of a lifelong learner, continuously seeking growth and development. Romano takes immense pride in being presented with the First Year Outstanding Principal Award by the Connecticut Association of Schools, which reaffirms her dedication to educational leadership and making a positive impact on the learning environment. Outside of her professional endeavors, Romano is a proud mom to two wonderful sons who inspire her daily. These experiences as both a leader and a parent strengthen her belief in the transformative power of education and the importance of fostering a nurturing and stimulating learning environment for all students.

Tim Viens

Iris White

Iris White started her career as a special education teacher for grades four through six, in Albany, NY. She moved to Connecticut in 2001 to take a job as AFT Connecticut's first professional development coordinator. While there, White developed training programs for teachers, paraeducators, health care professionals, and state employees. She left AFT Connecticut in 2008, to accept a position as an education consultant at the Connecticut State Department of Education. She currently works in the Turnaround Office, which supports designated Alliance Districts, Commissioner's Network schools, and School Improvement Grant schools. The office’s mission is centered on the belief that if you provide support and technical assistance aligned to the CSDE Turnaround Framework and centered on talent, academics, culture, climate, and operations, then districts and schools will create systems to improve student outcomes.

Lily Zhao

Lily Zhao currently serves as the principal at Brass City Charter School in Waterbury, CT. She began her teaching career at BCCS and went on to become an academic dean and now principal. She has a passion for serving in culturally and economically diverse organizations, working to ensure all students are given the opportunities to experience high expectations and a chance to excel. She earned her bachelor's in elementary education and biology and master's in special education at Boston College and a master's in education in school leadership from the University of Pennsylvania.