Adjuncts
Cynthia B. Bauman, Ph.D.
Cynthia B. Bauman, Ph.D., currently serves as Associate Director for Florida Atlantic University’s Office of Educational Leadership Learning (OELL) as well as an adjunct instructor for FAU’s IDEAL School Leaders Master’s Degree Program, teaching courses in education policy and instructional leadership. Her responsibilities in OELL include program outreach and grant development. She previously served as teacher leader, assistant principal, and principal in Pasco County, FL. Dr. Bauman is passionate about leadership coaching and developing leadership networks. Her instructional focus within IDEAL prioritizes organizational change for sustained student achievement through shared leadership and building collective efficacy within educator professional networks across the leadership continuum to support all students' academic growth and well-being. Dr. Bauman holds a B.A. in Music Education, an M.Ed. in Educational Leadership and a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from the University of South Florida.
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Washington Collado, Ph.D.
Washington “Nino” Collado, Ph.D. was born in the Dominican Republic. He began his career in education in 1986, teaching Spanish and English as a Second Language in New York and Miami-Dade schools. In 1998, he moved to Broward County Public Schools’ (BCPS) Multicultural Department to write curriculum and conduct training for teachers and administrators on the contributions of Latinos, African Americans, and Women throughout the History of the United States. In 2000, Dr. Nino Collado was named assistant principal in BCPS and was promoted to principal in 2005. He served 17 years as principal at the middle and high school levels. In February 2021, Dr. Nino Collado received the Principal of the Year award for BCPS, as principal at Rickards M.S. He is an adjunct professor at Florida Atlantic University and an associate with Creative Leadership Solutions. Dr. Nino Collado has devoted much of his time to leadership development. He has written four books and co-written three books.
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Gastrid Harrigan, Ed.D.
Gastrid Harrigan, Ed.D. is a proud husband and father of two boys and a daughter. Prior to education, Dr. Harrigan worked as a software engineer. He has been an educator for over 20 years as a high school mathematics teacher, Assistant Principal at both elementary and secondary levels, and currently as a High Principal. He specializes in supporting teachers and school leaders to build trusting relationships with students and improving the culture and climate of schools to optimize staff and students experience. He has extensive experience leading and instructing educators at all levels and has been recognized for his expertise, innovative leadership, student engagement, and academic achievement strategies. He frequently speaks at national conferences on leadership, curriculum, school culture and climate, social-emotional learning, and trauma-informed practices.
He is also the host of The School Leader’s Podcast . The podcast provides bite-size tips, ideas, and PD for emerging and current school leaders.
In 2021, he was named Principal of the Year by Learning for Success, Inc. and nominated for the Principal of the Year in 2023 in Broward County Public Schools, FL. In 2024, he was named the Before and After School Child Care (BASCC) Principal of the Year Finalist.
Dr. Harrigan holds a Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering and a Master of Science in Educational Leadership from Florida Atlantic University. He also has a Doctorate of Education in Administrator Leadership for Teaching & Learning from Walden University.
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Dr. Anthony Lockhart
Dr. Anthony Lockhart earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Jackson State University and a doctoral degree from Barry University.
For over 29 years, Dr. Lockhart held numerous roles, including educator, school counselor, coach, mentor, assistant principal, principal, director, and instructional superintendent.
He served as principal of Loggers’ Run Community Middle School (interim), Bear Lakes Middle School, Atlantic Community High School, Lake Shore Middle School, and Boynton Beach Community High School. He also served as the Director of School Transformation and Federal Programs and now serves as an Instructional Superintendent.
He was recognized as SECME Administrator of the Year by the South Florida Industry Partners in Education; a Stellar Performer in Education by Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.; honored with the African-American Diaspora Award; and selected by the Jim Moran Foundation as an African-American Achiever in Education. He was named the Palm Beach County Principal of the Year and Florida Association of School Administrators Principal of the Year.
At the state level, Dr. Lockhart was appointed to serve on the Education Accountability Summit panel.. Nationally, he served on the principals’ panel for the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP).
Dr. Lockhart firmly believes that education is the greatest equalizer.
Dr. Jennifer Sanders
Dr. Jennifer Sanders currently serves as an Instructional Superintendent, in the School District of Palm Beach County, and is an adjunct instructor at Florida Atlantic University. She specializes in Educational Leadership, with proven success in coaching school principals to effect change, leading turnaround schools to substantial academic gains, and guiding high-achieving schools to state and national recognition. She also leverages Digital and Blended Learning Platforms, AI, Data Analytics & Learning Analytics to revolutionize student outcomes.
Dr. Sanders' extensive background includes serving as Principal of multiple schools and the Director of Secondary Curriculum and Instruction for Orange County Public Schools. Notably, she created Aloma Elementary's Global Studies Academy and guided Hiawassee Elementary School from a low-performing school to its first A rating.
She is the recipient of multiple awards, including the prestigious Elementary School Principal of the Year from the Orange Co. Association of School Administrators (OCASA) and the Exceeding Expectations Award from the East Coast Technical Assistance Center (ECTAC) for the State of Florida. She is noted for guiding a school to recognition in the top 1% of Title Schools in FL and shares her approach by presenting at industry conferences nationally.
Dr. Sanders holds a Doctorate and Master's degree in Education from NOVA Southeastern University, and a Bachelor's degree in Liberal Studies from the University of Central Florida.
Dr. Amy L. Varo-Haub
Dr. Amy Varo-Haub serves as the Middle School Assistant Director of Academics and Curriculum at The Pingry School in Basking Ridge, New Jersey. She has spent the last 15 years of her career in independent school administration, serving as a Middle School Division Head, Assistant Division Head, and the Executive Director of Innovative Learning and Student Experience. Prior to independent school leadership, Dr. Varo-Haub spent 11 years in public school education in Florida and Oregon, serving as a magnet coordinator, English teacher, and ELL Coordinator. She has a passion for adult learning and leadership development, developing and maintaining school schedules that prioritize learning and growth, and facilitating organizational leadership practices to maximize school achievement. Dr. Varo-Haub has a BA in English from Whitworth University, an MAT in middle and high school Language Arts from Lewis & Clark College, and an EdS and PhD in Educational Leadership, K-12 School Leaders from Florida Atlantic University. As an adjunct professor with FAU’s IDEAL School Leaders Master’s Degree Program cohort, Dr. Varo-Haub supports educational leaders in achieving their full potential in their schools and careers.
Michael Warkentien, Ph.D.
Michael Warkentien, Ph.D. is a proud husband and father of two boys. He holds a B.A. in Business Management from Florida State University and is also a graduate of Florida Atlantic University's School Leaders Master’s and Doctoral Degree Programs. He is a Marine Corps veteran and has served in all levels of K-12 public education beginning as a substitute teacher, then math teacher, math department head, and district math coach before becoming an assistant principal. He still serves as an assistant principal and feels it is an honor and privilege to work with, support, and develop the next generation of educational leaders. In doing so, he consistently attempts to bridge the gap between theory and current practice by providing rigor and relevance in the classroom. His vision centers around creating and facilitating experiences for students to grow intellectually as critical and resourceful thinkers, as well as fostering a Servant Leader mindset. His mission and vocation are to bring to bear all that he has been given to accompany students on their educational journey.
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