Consultants

Contact us to schedule a Just ASK Consultant.

Paula Rutherford
Paula, President of Just ASK Publications & Professional Development (Just ASK) and an ASK Group Senior Consultant, lives in the Washington, DC area. She is the author of Why Didn’t I Learn This in College?, The 21st Century Mentor’s Handbook, Instruction for All Students, and Leading the Learning: A Field Guide for Supervision & Evaluation. Paula is also the developer of the Mentoring in the 21st Century™ Resource Kit and writes an e-newsletter Mentoring in the 21st Century. She is currently writing a book on meeting the needs of diverse learners.

Recent conference presentations and keynote addresses include the Virginia Staff Development Council (VSDC) Annual Conference in Richmond, Virginia, the Panhandle Area Educational Consortium's (PAEC) 41st Annual Leadership Conference in Panama City, Florida, and the Association of California School Administrators (ACSA) Leadership Summit. 2008 marked Paula’s twelfth consecutive year as a member of the faculty at the Association of California School Administrator's (ACSA) Summer Institute at UCLA. Paula recently led Mentoring in the 21st Century™ Institutes in Washington, DC; Los Angeles, California; Dallas, Texas, Chicago, Illinois, and Orlando, Florida.

Paula holds a Bachelor of Science in secondary education from the University of Oklahoma, a Master of Education with an emphasis on special education from the University of North Florida, and has completed post-graduate course work in administration and educational leadership at the University of Virginia, Virginia Polytechnical Institute and State University, and George Mason University. She was recently awarded an honorary Doctorate of Education by MacMurray College, Jacksonville, Illinois, as well as the Outstanding Achievement Award for Excellence in Education by the College of Education at the University of Oklahoma. She has been a history and social studies teacher, a physical education teacher, a kindergarten teacher, a special education teacher, coordinator of special education programs, a school administrator, and professional development specialist in school districts across the country. Contact Paula at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or 800-940-5434.

John Elwell
John, an ASK Group Consultant, lives in Newburyport, Massachusetts. This school year he is working with districts in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and New York. John also does on-site coaching of principals and represents Just ASK at state and national conferences. His work in K-12 education includes 19 years as principal of Hamilton-Wenham Regional High School, Hamilton, Massachusetts, followed by two years as interim principal of Newburyport High School, Newburyport, Massachusetts. Prior to becoming a principal he was an assistant principal for three years and teacher of mathematics for 14 years in Massachusetts and Washington, DC. John has served as a member of multiple New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) evaluation teams and as an Executive Board member for the Massachusetts Association of Supervision and Curriculum Development. He holds a BA in Economics and a MA in Mathematics Education from Catholic University of America, Washington, DC. Contact John at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or 800-940-5434.

Harriet Hopkins
Harriet, an ASK Group Associate and School Scheduling Associate, lives in Oakton, Virginia. She recently retired from Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS), Virginia. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from Queens College, a Master of Education and a Doctor of Education from the University of Virginia. Prior to retiring she was Special Projects Administrator for FCPS. Harriet was also Director of National Programs and Station Support for the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS); Director of Staff Development for Alexandria City Public Schools, Virginia; Coordinator for Elementary Programs, Area III, and Principal, Churchill Road Elementary School in Fairfax County Public Schools, Virginia. Additionally, Harriet, a renowned expert in the area of parallel block scheduling, has worked with numerous school districts in Michigan, Arkansas, Kansas, Maryland, New York, and Washington, made multiple conference presentations and co-authored two articles with Lynn Canady: “Parallel Block Scheduling: A Means of Reducing Class Size and Increasing Uninterrupted Instructional Time for Classroom Teachers,” published in the 1997 ASCD Curriculum Handbook, and “Integrating the Curriculum with Parallel Block Scheduling,” which appeared in Principal in March 1997. Contact Harriet at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or 800-940-5434.

Lau Kan How
Madam Lau Kan How, an ASK Group Associate, lives in Singapore, Singapore. She worked throughout her career for the Ministry of Education, Singapore. Madame Lau began her career as a teacher and served as a secondary school principal and school superintendent. After her retirement in 2000, Madam Lau started her own education consultancy; she works with up to 10 schools each year. These schools include Anderson Primary School, Xingnan Primary School and Evergreen Secondary School in Singapore. She was also engaged by the YMCA Education Centre to improve the school’s system. She has worked with the staffs from some large religious schools e.g. Manjusri Secondary School (Buddhist); St Andrew’s Secondary School (Protestant); and YuYing Secondary School (Catholic), as well as teachers from Pioneer Primary School and Commonwealth Secondary School (Government Schools) in Singapore. Additional clients include Pioneer Junior College and St. Andrew’s Junior College. She recently worked with teachers and principals in Indonesia and Bahrain. Madam Lau also conducts team-building workshops and Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI)training for corporate organizations such as the Meritus Mandarin Hotel, SHATEC (training arm of the Singapore Hotel Association), and the Singapore Insurance College. Contact Kan How at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or 800-940-5434.

Brenda Kaylor
Brenda, an ASK Group Senior Consultant, lives in Northglenn, Colorado, a suburb of Denver. She is working this year with school districts in California, Colorado, New York, and Texas. Her consulting work includes workshops in the areas of educational leadership, instruction, creating a culture for learning, and the training of trainers. Prior to joining Just ASK, Brenda was the Director of Professional Development in St. Vrain Valley School District, Longmont, Colorado. Prior to assuming that position she was Director of Professional Development in Brighton Public Schools, Colorado. Brenda holds a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from Adams State College, a Master of Arts in Elementary Education from the University of Northern Colorado, and Professional Certification in Educational Administration from the University of Denver. Brenda is an active member of the National Staff Development Council (NSDC) and has worked extensively with their Academies. She published articles in JSD, the journal of the National Staff Development Council (NSDC) and in Colorado Staff Development Council publications. She is editor of Results-Based Professional Development Models published by St. Vrain Valley School District and distributed by Just ASK Publications. Contact Brenda at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or 800-940-5434.

Julie McVicker
Julie McVicker, ASK Group Associate, lives in Longmont, Colorado. She retired June 30, 2008 from her position as the Director of Priority Schools in St. Vrain Valley School District, Longmont, Colorado. Her responsibilities in that position include coordinating the K-5 Literacy Department, supervising elementary principals, working with schools on closing the achievement gap, and leading systemic change. Prior to assuming that position she was principal of elementary schools in St. Vrain Valley School District, Adams County School District, and Burlington School District, Colorado. She has also served as a District Migrant/ELPA Education Coordinator, Gifted and Talented Coordinator, and staff developer. Bilingual education and ESL strategies are areas of focus in Julie’s work. She earned a Bachelors of Arts from the University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, Colorado, and Masters of Arts at Western State College, Gunnison, Colorado. Contact Julie at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or 800-940-5434.

Debra Mossburg
Debby, ASK Group Associate, retired September 30, 2008, from Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS), Virginia where she worked with 26 high schools as the ED/LD High School Program Specialist. She has 20 years of practitioner expertise and 10 years’ experience as a professional developer in the areas of collaborative teaching, accommodations and adaptations for inclusive classrooms, differentiating instruction, literacy, and math instruction for students with disabilities. Debby is featured on the Success Factors in a Standards-Based Classroom DVD produced by FCPS. She is an expert on the use of Makes Sense Strategies Software which uses brain-based pedagogy to differentiate instruction and make information more learnable through the use of graphic organizers. Debby holds a master’s degree in educational administration and supervision from George Mason University and a Bachelor of Science in learning and behavioral disorders from the University of New York, Buffalo State College. You can contact Debby at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or 800-940-5434.

Bruce Oliver
Bruce, an ASK Group Senior Consultant, lives in Burke, Virginia. He is the author of Just for the ASKing!, the highly acclaimed monthly e-newsletter published on the Just ASK website. Over 12,000 educators subscribe to this newsletter. Bruce uses the knowledge, skills, and experience he acquired as a teacher, professional developer, mentor, and middle school principal as he works with school districts in Arizona, Maryland, New Jersey, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia. He works at the district and school level with leadership on establishing professional learning communities and leading in a standards-based environment. Areas of focus for instructional staff include teaching and learning in a standards-based environment, making assessment a learning experience, differentiation, and new teacher induction. Bruce represents Just ASK at state and national conferences. He holds a Master of Arts in Education from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University and a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Anthropology from the College of William and Mary. Subscribe to Just for The ASKing! by clicking here. Contact Bruce at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or 800-940-5434.

Katherine Ruh
Kathi, an ASK Group Consultant, lives in Pickett, Wisconsin. She retired in 2008 from East Maine School District #63, Des Plaines, Illinois. where she was Executive Director of curriculum and Instruction. Prior to assuming that position she was Director of Curriculum and Instruction, Principal of Roosevelt Middle School, Principal of Highlands Elementary School, and Principal of Foster Elementary School in the Appleton Area School District, Wisconsin. Earlier she was Principal of Berlin Catholic School, Wisconsin. She has done consulting work in Illinois, Massachusetts, Missouri, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin, Illinois, and Massachusetts. She leads the workshop series Leading the Learning, Instruction for All Students, Meeting the Needs of Diverse Learners (previously known as Instruction for All Students II), Mentoring in the 21st Century, and Why Didn’t I Learn This in College? Kathi holds a Bachelor of Science in English from the University of Wisconsin – Oshkosh, a Master of Science in Educational Administration from the University of Wisconsin – Madison. She is an ad hoc instructor for the University of Wisconsin – Oshkosh, the University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire, and Cardinal Stritch University, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Contact Kathi at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or 800-940-5434.

Louise Thompson
Louise, an ASK Group Senior Consultant, lives in Boston, Massachusetts. In addition to teaching multiple sections of Instruction for All Students, Leading the Learning, Why Didn't I Learn This in College?, and Differentiation of Instruction, Louise coordinates ASK Group work in New England and has been instrumental in helping schools in Massachusetts, The International School of Beijing, and Fairfax County Public Schools, Virginia, build in-house capacity. She is an expert at assisting districts with revising their supervision and evaluation systems. Prior to joining Just ASK, Louise was the Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction and Director of Guidance for Brookline Public Schools, Massachusetts. Earlier in her career she was an instructor for Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts and Director of Guidance, Counselor, and Director of Elementary Summer School for Dubuque Community Schools, Iowa. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics from MacMurray College, a Master of Education in Guidance and Counseling from the University of Illinois, and a Doctorate of Education in Counseling Psychology from Boston University. She also holds an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from MacMurray College. Louise worked extensively with the Ministry of Education in Singapore where she met and worked with Madam Lau Kan How, who later joined ASK as an ASK Group Associate. She presented on numerous occasions at the Harvard Principals’ Center Summer Institutes and made presentations for the New Zealand Principals’ Summer Institute and the Principals’ Institute at Millsaps College in Jackson, Mississippi. Contact Louise at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or 800-940-5434.

Theresa West
Theresa, an ASK Group Associate, lives in Falls Church, Virginia. On July 1, 2008, she assumed the principalship of McNair Elementary School in Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS), Virginia. Prior to that she was the Director of Cluster III and principal of Glen Forest Elementary School in Fairfax County. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies with a bilingual/bicultural emphasis from California State University at Chico, California, a Master of Arts and a Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership and Policy from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. Earlier administrative positions include serving as Assistant Principal at Glasgow Middle School, Fairfax County Public Schools, Virginia and Student Activities Director at George Mason High School, Falls Church City Schools, Virginia. As a teacher of Spanish, ESL, civics, math, and leadership in professional development, she brings to her consulting work many years of experience working with children of poverty, extensive cross-cultural experience including eleven years living overseas, and her bilingual Spanish/English fluency. Contact Theresa at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or 800-940-5434.

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