K. Michael Hibbard is the first generation off the farm in Missouri and the first to get a college education. He grew up in a fishing and hunting culture. There, Mike learned the lessons of persistence, tenacity, and resilience. Mike is an Eagle Scout, a retired public educator, a problem-solving coach, and a Rotarian.

He earned his B.S. in Biology at Kansas University, his M.S. in Biology at Purdue, and his Ph.D. in Science Education at Cornell. He was a K-5 science coordinator, a high school science teacher and department leader, a high school principal, and then an assistant superintendent for K-12 curriculum, assessment, and staff development for the rest of his 47 fulfilling years in public education.

Patricia Pisano Cyganovich was born and raised in Massapequa, New York, and she has devoted her entire professional career to public education. Teaching – first children and later other teachers and administrators – has always been her passion. After teaching secondary English for 9 years, Pat was a high school assistant principal and later proudly served as principal of a middle/high school for 30 years before her retirement. Committed to education for others as well as herself, Pat earned her B.A. in Secondary Education/English at New York State University College at Cortland, and her M.S. in Communication Arts at Western Connecticut State College. She was a graduate of the Harvard Graduate School Education Institute for School Leadership and earned her Ed.D. at Fordham University.