Beverly Nance serves as the co-director of the St. Louis Principals Academy, which is supported by the Missouri State Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and the Cooperating School Districts. She is also a leadership consultant and mentor for principals in a variety of school districts. She began her career as a secondary mathematics teacher and then served as a high school assistant principal and a middle school principal. Later, she served as director of leadership development for the Cooperating School Districts. Beverly holds a bachelor's degree in mathematics from Washington University in St. Louis, a master's degree in teaching from Webster University, and a doctorate in education administration from Teachers College, Columbia University. From 2001 to 2003, Beverly designed and hosted annual systems thinking conferences for educational leaders in the St. Louis area. She has presented at both state and national conferences. Beverly also co-authored a booklet entitled, “Designing and Implementing a Leadership Academy in Character Education.” Beverly's passion is helping schools become learning communities using the five disciplines as defined by Peter Senge. She may be contacted at bnance04@earthlink.net.