Richard A. Villa is President of Bayridge Consortium, Inc. His primary field of expertise is the development of administrative and instructional support systems for educating all students within general education settings.

Villa is recognized as an educational leader who motivates and works collaboratively with others to implement current and emerging exemplary educational practices. He has been a classroom teacher, special education administrator, pupil personnel services director, and director of instructional services, and has authored 19 books and more than 120 articles and chapters.

Jacqueline S. Thousand is Professor Emerita in the College of Education, Health, and Human Services of California State University San Marcos, where she designed and coordinated the School of Education's special education professional preparation and master's programs.

She previously directed the Inclusion Facilitator and Early Childhood/Special Education graduate and postgraduate programs at the University of Vermont, and coordinated federal grants concerned with the inclusion of students with disabilities in local schools.

A nationally known teacher, author, systems change consultant, and disability rights and inclusive education advocate, she is the author of numerous books, research articles, and chapters on issues related to inclusive schooling, organizational change strategies, differentiated instruction and universal design, co-teaching and teaming, cooperative group learning, creative problem solving, and positive behavioral supports.