Our Team
Diane Sweeney
Founder & Lead Consultant
DIANE SWEENEY has been an author and educational consultant for over twenty years. The author of The Essential Guide for Student-Centered Coaching (Corwin, 2020), Leading Student-Centered Coaching (Corwin, 2018), Student-Centered Coaching: The Moves (Corwin, 2016), and Moves for Launching a New Year of Student-Centered Coaching (Corwin, 2023), Diane holds a longstanding interest in how adult learning translates to learning in the classroom. Diane holds a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Denver and a Master’s in Bilingual and Multicultural Education from the University of Colorado, Boulder. After teaching and coaching in the Denver Public Schools, Diane served as a program officer at the Public Education & Business Coalition (PEBC) in Denver. Since then she has become a respected voice in the field of coaching and professional development.
Leanna Harris
Senior Consultant
LEANNA HARRIS is the co-author of The Essential Guide for Student-Centered Coaching (Corwin, 2020), Student-Centered Coaching: The Moves (Corwin, 2016), and Moves for Launching a New Year of Student-Centered Coaching (Corwin, 2023). She has worked as an educational consultant since 1999, partnering with teachers and schools from around the country to improve instruction and student achievement. Before joining Diane Sweeney Consulting, Leanna was a staff developer with the Public Education & Business Coalition (PEBC), and then a school-based instructional coach across grades K-12.
Leanna has a MA in Education from the University of Colorado at Denver and an undergraduate degree in Theology from Georgetown University. She also has a Certificate in Sustainability Leadership and Implementation from the Daniels College of Business at the University of Denver – environmental sustainability being her passion when not thinking and learning about kids, teachers, and schools.
Julie Steele
Senior Consultant
JULIE STEELE is the co-author of Moves for Launching a New Year of Student-Centered Coaching (Corwin, 2023). She joined Diane Sweeney Consulting in 2019 where her work focuses on partnering with district and school leaders and instructional coaches to provide professional learning and support related to the implementation of Student-Centered Coaching. In addition, Julie has a passion for continuous learning for educators focusing on best practices, responsive instruction, and equity. She enjoys presenting at educational conferences where her own learning expands as she connects with others’ knowledge, ideas, and experiences.
Julie earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Secondary Education from Missouri State University (7-12), Elementary Certification (1-6) from Avila University, and a Master’s Degree in Teaching and Learning from Baker University. She has been in public education since 1998 serving as a teacher, instruction specialist, and consultant.
Amber Birch-Trujillo
Senior Consultant
AMBER BIRCH-TRUJILLO began her educational journey as a dual-language teacher in New York City, an experience that cemented her passion for working with linguistically and culturally diverse learners. After working in both U.S. public and charter schools, Amber moved abroad and worked first as a teacher, then as a learning coach at the International School Nido de Aguilas.
Amber has an M.A. in Bilingual and Bicultural Education from New York Teachers’ College, holds certification in Student-Centered Coaching from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and a Certificate of International School Leadership from the Principals’ Training Center. She is currently a consultant, focused primarily on working with international and independent schools. She is also an adjunct professor at Lake Forest College where she teaches courses in ESL and Bilingual Education.
Amanda Brueggeman
Consultant
AMANDA BRUEGGEMAN, Ed.D. is an education consultant and began her teaching career in 2004. She grew up on a farm in Southeast Missouri, working her way to the suburbs of St. Louis, MO, where she taught at Valley Park and Wentzville for ten years prior to being an instructional coach. Her passions include literacy and collective efficacy in relation to working with new teachers and mentors. Amanda is also the author of the book, Student-Centered Mentoring (Corwin, 2022).
Amanda obtained her teaching degree in Elementary Education at Southeast Missouri State University. She earned her MA in Educational Technology from the University of Missouri and is certified as a Student-Centered Coaching Consultant. Amanda holds her Doctorate in Teacher Leadership from Maryville University, where she is also an adjunct professor for the Education Department.
Joy Casey
Practitioner Consultant
JOY CASEY is an instructional coach and consultant with over 17 years of experience in education. She grew up in the suburbs of Denver, CO and began her teaching career in 27J schools as a middle school math teacher. She taught at Prairie View Middle School for 9 years before becoming a district wide secondary math instructional coach. She is now the instructional coach of an elementary school in 27J Schools serving students in grades Pre-K through 5th grade.
Joy obtained her BS in International Business, teaching license, and an MA in Instruction and Curriculum from the University of Denver. She also holds her Principals License from CSU Global and is a certified Student-Centered Coaching Consultant.
Rachel Jenner
Practitioner Consultant & Digital Content Developer
RACHEL JENNER began her career teaching students with disabilities at the high school level, where she spent nine years. After initially teaching self-contained classes, she moved to co-teaching core content classes, where she developed a passion for collaboration and reaching students at a wide variety of achievement levels. In 2015, Rachel moved abroad to start an instructional coaching program alongside her coaching partner at the Pan American School of Porto Alegre. She returned to Virginia in 2018 and worked initially as a resource teacher, then as an instructional coach for the Massanutten Technical Center, where she learns something new every day. Rachel has an MA in Education in Diverse Needs with a focus on At-Risk Students, and holds certification in Student-Centered Coaching from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Brandon Lewis
Practitioner Consultant & Podcast Developer
BRANDON LEWIS began his teaching career in 2005 in his hometown of Tracy, CA. He relocated to Kansas City, MO in 2010, where he serves as an Innovation & Learning Coach for Liberty Public Schools. His desire to always put student learning and the center of coaching has led to his work as an consultant. Brandon is also the co-host of Student-Centered Coaching: The Podcast. He is passionate about learning from other coaches and sharing their stories.
Brandon is a proud graduate of Southern Nazarene University. He also has a Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction from National University.
Rachel Hill
Practitioner Consultant
RACHEL HILL has 14 years of teaching experience in the Tuscaloosa City Schools, where she has taught first, third, and fourth grades. She is currently in her third year as a math coach for the city schools, working with teachers at Woodland Forrest Elementary School to create enriching opportunities for students in grades PreK–5. Rachel has participated in the inaugural 2022-23 Student-Centered Teaching Academy and previously won system-level awards for innovative use of technology in the classroom and as a teacher of the year. Rachel spends her non-coaching time drinking coffee, watching Grey’s Anatomy, and listening to audiobooks.
Rachel holds a B.A. in elementary education and an M.A. in instructional leadership from The University of Alabama. She joined the team in 2023.
Jessica Miller
Practitioner Consultant
JESSICA MILLER is currently a Professional Learning Specialist in Instructional Innovation with Keep Indiana Learning, a Department of CIESC, in Indianapolis, IN. Prior to joining Keep Indiana Learning she served in public schools for 14 years as a classroom teacher, STEM Teacher/Coach, and Elementary Instructional Coach. In her current role she supports Indiana teachers, schools, and districts in the areas of instructional coaching, mathematics teaching, and strengthening Tier 1 and Tier 2 instruction.
Jessica has been in the field of education since 2008. She earned her Bachelor’s degree from Butler University in Early/Middle Childhood and received her Master of Arts in Mathematics Education from Ball State. She holds a practitioners license for Elementary/Primary Generalist, Elementary/Intermediate Generalist, Mild Intervention Elementary/Primary, Mild Intervention Elementary/Intermediate, and Elementary Mathematics Specialist.
Dan Sweeney
Project Manager
DAN SWEENEY worked in sports & entertainment and then finance & insurance before joining the team as Project Manager in 2011. Dan is a graduate of Colorado State University.