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Meet Our Team

Our Founders

Linda Diamond

Linda Diamond, CORE’s CEO, previously served as a public school teacher, principal, Director of Curriculum and Instruction for a K–12 school district, and Senior Policy Analyst with an emphasis on school to career, charter schools, and school reform. Mrs. Diamond is also the co-author of CORE’s professional books Teaching Reading Sourcebook and Assessing Reading: Multiple Measures.

Bill Honig

Bill Honig, CORE's founding President, served as California’s State Superintendent of Public Instruction from 1983 to 1993 and was a leader in the effort to establish a comprehensive improvement strategy in the United States.

Educational Services Management

Dean Ballard

Dean Ballard is the Director of Mathematics with CORE. He holds a master’s degree in math education from Sonoma State University (SSU) and secondary teaching credentials for both mathematics and English. Over the last eight years Dean has specialized in professional development for both elementary and secondary math teachers. This work has included the formation of state math exams, coordinating the creation of high school math standards, writing math courses, and directing math programs for the precollege department at SSU. Over the last five years Dean has focused on writing, editing, and facilitating math professional development for both online and face-to-face work with teachers. Dean has 18 years of experience in the classroom teaching all levels of math from 5th grade through AP Calculus. Dean is a member of NCTM (National Council of Teachers of Mathematics), NCSM (National Council of Supervisors of Mathematics), and CMC (California Math Council).

Cris Goldy, M.Ed.

Cris Goldy is an Educational Services Manager with CORE. She is responsible for managing large client projects. She holds a Master of Education degree in special education from Central Washington University. Ms. Goldy has taught grades K–12; served as a reading consultant in Washington and Oregon; been a district federal projects director and an ESD program manager in Washington State; coordinated a state grant in Victoria, Australia; provided consultation and program facilitation at the school, district, and state levels; and presented numerous workshops and seminars at district, state, and regional events.

Ms. Goldy’s experience with CORE includes working in urban, suburban, and rural school settings. She is a lead consultant in special education and ESL/ELL workshops and is well versed in several commercial core reading programs, intervention programs, and supplemental materials. Most recently Ms. Goldy is serving as the lead and manager for a large implementation project throughout the state of Alaska, as well as working with both small and large districts throughout the country. Her interest in special needs students translates to a deep commitment to the success of each and every child learning to read.

Candace Rice, Ed.D.

Candace Rice is an Educational Services Manager with CORE. She is responsible for training CORE staff. She holds a doctorate degree in curriculum and instruction from Argosy University in Sarasota, Florida. Dr. Rice has taught several grades at the middle and high school levels, has served as a reading/writing teacher specialist for low-performing schools in South Carolina, and has been a National Consultant for Soar to Success. In addition, she spent several years teaching adult education literacy courses.

Dr. Rice has presented numerous professional development sessions for classroom teachers, administrators, and district and state personnel. She has experience working in urban, suburban, and rural school settings. Her interest in literacy acquisition translates to a deep commitment for the success of each and every child learning to read.

Benjamin D. Scherz, Ed.M.

Benjamin Scherz is an Educational Services Regional Manager with CORE. He holds a Master of Education degree from the Harvard Graduate School of Education, with a focus on risk and prevention. Mr. Scherz has taught grade 1, grade 5, and special education, and has served as an educational consultant. Prior to joining CORE, Mr. Scherz worked as a reading coach for grades K–6 at a grant school in a small community located in the heart of the Navajo Nation.

Mr. Scherz's extensive knowledge of core curricula and intervention reading programs enables him to support school systems in implementing effective literacy programs.

Mr. Scherz’s career as an educator spans 15 years working in urban and rural school settings, primarily with Native American children and African American children from diverse educational backgrounds. His interest in reading and literacy is the foundation for his commitment to ensure the success of each and every child learning to read.

Ray A. Shepard, M.A.T.

Ray Shepard is CORE's Vice President and Chief Academic Officer. He leads the Educational Services group and is responsible for the day-to-day operations, training, and quality control of CORE’s educational consulting staff. Ray brings 30 years’ experience in teaching, educational publishing, and delivering professional learning services to schools across the country. He is a graduate of the University of Nebraska Teachers College, where he received an Outstanding Alumni Award, and the Harvard Graduate School of Education, which he attended on a Martin Luther King, Jr. Fellowship from the Woodrow Wilson Foundation. Ray is a member of the National Staff Development Council, the Coalition for Student Achievement, and a member of the steering committee for the Software and Information Industry Association’s Ed Tech Government Forum.

Educational Services Team

CORE’s Educational Services team brings the best expertise in the industry to clients we serve. Our highly qualified Educational Consultants bring on average over 15 years of professional development experience and have in-depth knowledge of the programs and curricula in place at school districts nationwide. We employ consultants who are subject matter experts in the fields of special education, English-language learners, Response to Intervention, and assessments. Meet our Educational Services Team.

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