Innovate. Educate. Evaluate.
About us
NPE bridges the gap from research to practice
National Performance for Education is a non-profit organization leading the way for educators, administrators, and school districts to narrow the gap between research and practice. Comprised of national leading educators, researchers, and innovators, the team at NPE engages and encourages teachers, counselors, and leaders at all levels to implement strategies and processes that work to bring about meaningful and sustainable change. Leading districts forward at the student, building, and district levels, NPE supports local, regional, and national initiatives to advance outcomes for all learners.
Founder & CEO
Clabe Slone
As the founder and CEO of NPE with over 20 years in education as a teacher, school administrator, & consultant, Mr. Slone has been a catalyst for sustainable and meaningful change for students and staff across rural and urban settings educational settings.
From the individual classroom to muti-year partnerships across school districts, his insight and innovation has brought about change for students of all abilities.
Mr. Slone's commitment to innovation advancement of student outcomes continues to be acknowledged through being awarded millions in grant funding through the U.S. Department of Labor, U.S. Department of Justice, U.S. Department of Education, along with state level and private corporations.
Lead Consultants
Sarah Benz, PhD
Dr. Benz is a researcher at American Institutes for Research and the targeted & intensive technical assistance lead for the National Center on Intensive Intervention. Additionally, she provides technical assistance and professional development to states through the National Center on Systemic Improvement and is the project director for the Texas Special Education Equity Initiative. Dr. Benz
taught middle school special education for over six years and was a former district special education director. She received her doctoral degree from the University of Texas at Austin in Special Education and her master’s degree in Special Education from Vanderbilt University.
Jason Gibson
Jason Gibson has worked with schools, early learning centers and treatment facilities across the US and around the globe as a learning and behavioral consultant supporting children and adolescents with social, emotional & behavioral issues. His focus is on evidence-based instructional procedures that increase behavior outcomes for all learners in general education settings along with Tier 1 and Tier 2 interventions supporting mental health outcomes for children and adolescents with internalizing and externalizing disorders. With degrees in psychology, social work, and education, Jason’s peer-reviewed research has been published in journals such as “Topics in Early Childhood Special Education”, “Closing the Gap”, and “Education and Treatment of Children with Developmental Disabilities”.
Kay Hedrick
Through 20 years in education, Ms. Hedrick has empowered students and teachers to learn, grow, and become their best selves through the power of education. As a high school and middle school teacher, Kay taught students the power of communication as an English Language Arts teacher. She has continued teaching and coaching as a Literacy Coordinator and Educational Design Coordinator for USDOE Innovative Approaches to Literacy (IAL) and several American History and Civics Academies (AHCA) grants since 2017. A 2006 Morehead Writing Project Fellow, serving as a consultant for the Kentucky Writing Project allows her to continue sharing her passion for teaching the art of communication. She is also actively advocating for Social Studies and Civics Education through her work as the Kentucky Council for Social Studies Executive Director and her involvement as a National Council for the Social Studies Innovation Task Force member and the Kentucky Civic Education Coalition Executive Committee.
Keith Lyons, M.Ed.
Keith is a Literacy Consultant and Technical Assistant Coach Coordinator through the Wilderness Education Project, a non-profit entity serving districts in multiple states. He also leads the implementation of the Dolly Parton Imagination Library as a Kentucky statewide initiative. Keith held positions for 20+ years at the Collaborative Center for Literacy Development (CCLD) at the University of Kentucky, including the Director of Marketing and Communications and Director of Early Childhood Learning Initiatives.
He also has been a member of the Kentucky Reading Association (KRA), participating on the board for 22 years and serving as KRA President (2015-2016).
Keith earned a Masters in Education at the University of Kentucky and is pursuing his Interdisciplinary Ph.D. at UK in Early Childhood Literacy and Family Engagement. He is also seeking a Masters in American History through Gettysburg College/Gilder Lehrman Institute.
Keith has a 4-legged "daughter," Kya Blue. She is an Anatolian Shepherd/Great Pyrenees mix, who still thinks she is a lap dog at 125lbs of joy.
Rebecca Roach, PhD
Dr. Rebecca Roach has been a dedicated educator for over 35 years. She has served as an elementary teacher in eastern Kentucky, a professional development provider for an educational cooperative, a tenured university professor, a researcher, and a literacy specialist. She began her career as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Liberia and pursued a career in international development in Pakistan and Cambodia. Her educational background includes an M.A. in International Development and a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership.
Christopher Townsend, PhD, LCMHC, LCAS, AADC, CCS, NCC
Dr. Christopher Townsend is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Clinical Counseling and Mental Health at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center. He is the Director of the Department`s Behavioral Health and Wellness Clinic and currently serves as a Board of Trustee member on the National Board for Certified Counselors Foundation.
Dr.Townsend has over 24 years of counseling experience and specializes in addictions, trauma, and multi-cultural issues in counseling. He has worked extensively with the juvenile justice system and the Department of Social Services. Dr. Townsend travels extensively and has implemented Mental Health Facilitation training and consultation support in Liberia, Uganda and Rwanda.
