Dr. Paul Tedesco has served 44 years in the field of education, thirty-eight as an administrator. Administrative experiences include: Administrator of Educational Service Agency #11, Holdrege, NE (2011-2017), Superintendent at Storm Lake, IA (2005-2011), Superintendent at Emmetsburg, IA (1998-2005), Superintendent at Boyer Valley, Dunlap, IA (1992-1998), Superintendent of Schools, Harris-Lake Park, Lake Park, IA (1989-1992), High School Principal & Athletic Director, Ida Grove, IA (1983-1989), High School Principal & Athletic Director, Elk Horn-Kimballton, Elk Horn, IA (1979-1983) and Paul taught and coached in Nebraska School Districts of Trenton, Omaha Cathedral and Neligh-Oakdale.
Paul earned his Doctorate from Colorado State University in 2004, his Certificate of Advanced Studies (Superintendent’s endorsement) from Iowa State University in 1988, his Master’s in Administration from the University of Nebraska at Omaha in 1979 and his Bachelor’s of Art in Education from Wayne State College in 1973.
Kathryn Enslin has served 41 years in the field of education, twenty-five (25) as an administrator. Administrative experiences include: School Administrators of Iowa (SAI) District Consultant (2016-2020); Assistant Chief/Human Resource Director at Central Rivers/AEA 267 Cedar Falls, IA (2013-2016); Superintendent at Denver, IA (2002-2013); Superintendent, Elementary Principal & Special Education Director at North Kossuth, Swea City, IA (1998-2002); Elementary Principal/Curriculum & Special Education Director at North Kossuth, Swea City, IA (1996-1998); Teacher of English/Speech/TAG, Swea City, IA (1984-1996). Kathryn taught in Philadelphia, PA and Selma, AL at the start of her career. Plus, she taught English in Brighton, England many summers during the 1980’s for the EF exchange students program.
Kathy earned her Educational Specialist degree from Minnesota State University in 2002, her Superintendent’s endorsement and a Master’s in Educational Administration from Mankato State University in 1990, and her Bachelor’s of Art in English/Secondary Education from Iowa State University in 1980. Kathryn continues being directly connected to education as she now serves on the Central Rivers AEA Board of Directors.
Kathryn is driven by her desire to provide leadership in an organization that values innovation, structure, success and children by supporting School Boards and educational leaders and educators to reach their highest potential.
Your most important job is hiring. When you select your superintendent and other key leaders in your district, you are taking the first and most important step in creating a culture that enables excellence and supports innovation in learning to assure your students grow and thrive not only in your schools but in life.
Let our experiences help you make the right decision for the future of your district and your students.
I have had the opportunity to learn and grow in many roles and learning organizations, including a classroom teacher in both a small and a large district in Iowa. I have served as a building administrator in Iowa and Arizona as well as a director of academic programs in Iowa. My experiences as associate superintendent and superintendent in Iowa are augmented by diverse opportunities I have had as adjunct college professor, consultant at the Iowa Department of Education, director of an AEA, and executive director of Iowa ASCD. I am also an educational author, addressing reading, writing, and leadership.
Life has been rewarding. Let us help you capitalize on the strengths we have to offer to assure you achieve the leader that surpasses your expectations.
Bill Mowinkel was an educator for 42 years with 37 years in school administration. He began his teaching career as a middle school teacher at Neligh-Oakdale in 1976. Mowinkel left Neligh in 1981 to become Principal/Superintendent Hall Co #38, left in 1989 to be Superintendent of Osmond leaving in 2001 to be Superintendent of Northwest Public Schools in Grand Island retiring in 2012 after being named Nebraska Rural Schools and Nebraska Association of School Administrators, Superintendent of the Year. In 2013 became the Administrator of Educational Service Unit 8 in Neligh for the next six years. Having two children involved in educational administration he remains passionate about education in the State of Nebraska.
Dr. Robert Olson has been an educator for 44 years and served as a teacher (3), coach (7), and administrator (41). After teaching and coaching at Dysart-Geneseo (1976-79) for three years, he attended graduate school full-time at the University of Northern Iowa and served as a graduate assistant in the school of Administration and Counseling. Before finishing his master’s in administration degree, he accepted a 7-12 principal position (1979-1984) that allowed him to also teach and coach. He then served as high school principal at Clarion Community School District (1984-1989) for five years before becoming superintendent for both Clarion and Goldfield School Districts. While in Clarion, he served twice as a shared superintendent and facilitated two district reorganizations (Clarion-Goldfield and Clarion-Goldfield-Dows) (1989-2020). Bob continues to serve on the faculty of the Iowa Superintendent Financial Leadership Consortium (ISFLC) after retirement to help superintendents and school business officials to develop and present school budgets.
Bob earned his Doctorate from Drake University in 1989, his Superintendent endorsement (1984) and Master’s (1980) from the University of Northern Iowa, and Bachelor of Arts at Augustana College at Rock Island, Illinois in 1976 where he was a three-sport athlete and coach.
Lori Porsch has served 38 years in the field of education, thirty-two as an administrator. Administrative experiences include: Supervising Consultant and Regional Supervisor of Arrowhead Area Education Agency (now Prairie Lakes Area Education Agency) (1984-2002) and Curriculum and Special Education Director at Storm Lake, IA (2002-2014). Lori taught and coached in Marshalltown, IA and Storm Lake, IA school districts. Lori earned her Director of Special Education endorsement from the University of Northern Iowa in 1990, her Master’s in Special Education from the University of Northern Iowa in 1980 and her Bachelor’s of Art in Education from the University of Northern Iowa in 1977. She also has completed graduate studies in administration of English Language Learning programming and completed Mediation and Advanced Mediation Training through Iowa Peace Institute.
Gary DeLacy served the students of Iowa for the past 39 years, the last 23 as a school administrator. His career began at Clinton High School as a math instructor and coach in 1985. DeLacy’s career transitioned into educational administration in 2001 as he served the Camanche School district as a middle school principal for three years and high school principal for six years. In 2010, DeLacy was selected as the superintendent of the Danville Community School District in southeast Iowa. DeLacy’s career came full circle in 2017 when he returned to Clinton to serve as superintendent.
DeLacy has been recognized by several state organizations for his impact on students and staff. In 2006, he received the School Administrator’s District Fine Arts Administrator of the Year Award. He was nominated twice for SAI’s Superintendent of the Year and was a finalist in 2023. DeLacy was also selected for the 2024 Iowa School Educator’s TEAM (Together, Educators and Administrators Make it Happen Award).
DeLacy earned his bachelor’s degree in Math Education from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse in 1984, his Master in Education Administration from Western Illinois University in 1996 and his Education Specialist in Administration from Western Illinois University in 2005.
Dr. Devin Embray brings over three decades of exemplary leadership in education to his role as a consultant with EDWise. With a distinguished 21-year tenure as a superintendent, Devin has consistently demonstrated his ability to drive innovation and enact visionary changes within educational systems. His expertise encompasses strategic curriculum restructuring, financial management, and creating diverse educational opportunities, ensuring agility and responsiveness to evolving needs. Under his leadership, his district achieved notable recognitions, including being named a Model Professional Learning Community District by Solution Tree in 2024, Northeast Elementary as a Model Professional Learning Community School in 2024, and National Blue Ribbon School status for West Elementary in 2022.
Dr. Embray began his career in educational administration as an Assistant Middle School Principal in the Fort Dodge Community School District from 1996 to 1998. He then served as the Middle School Principal at West Delaware County Community School District from 1998 to 2001, followed by his role as Assistant Superintendent at the same district from 2001 to 2003. He was the Superintendent of the Independence Community School District from 2003 to 2010, where he continued to build his reputation for effective leadership. From 2010 to 2024, he served as the Glenwood Community School District Superintendent, where he further cemented his legacy of educational excellence.
Dr. Embray’s leadership is characterized by solid problem-solving, strategic planning, and adept team building. His ability to manage capital growth and enrollment and forge collaborative partnerships has yielded mutually beneficial results. His commitment to excellence was recognized when he was named a finalist for the School Administrators of Iowa Superintendent of the Year in 2022. He has also played pivotal roles in various professional organizations, contributing to advancing educational leadership practices. As he transitions to consulting, Dr. Embray is eager to apply his wealth of experience to new challenges, offering his insights and expertise to support the success of educational institutions and their leaders.