Dr. Steven Moats brings over 33 years of experience and expertise in state, district, school, and classroom improvement. He is uniquely qualified to work with education professionals at any level to plan, implement, and manage small- or large-scale initiatives aimed at improving student, teacher, and administrator performance in various educational settings.

Dr. Moats has an impressive track record of serving as a Kentucky Distinguished Educator assigned to some of the state's lowest-performing schools, as well as a principal consultant from Edvantia, Inc. to the Office of Accountability, Teaching, and Learning at the Tennessee Department of Education. During his tenure in Tennessee, he led the development of the state's assistance initiatives to more than 300 state-identified, low-performing schools and districts, including directing the Tennessee Exemplary Educators Program, which received a Top 50 Innovations in American Government Award from Harvard University.

Furthermore, Dr. Moats has held several leadership positions, including serving as the Director of the Appalachia Regional Comprehensive Center and Executive Director for State, District, and School Improvement Initiatives at Edvantia. He was responsible for overseeing $12 million annually in grants and contracts and providing unit leadership to over 100 staff and consultants. Dr. Moats has also authored and contributed to numerous publications throughout his career.

Dr. Moats earned an Ed.D. from Trevecca Nazarene University in Leadership and Professional Practice and has served as the Assistant Superintendent and Chief Academic Officer for the Russellville Independent School District. Currently, he is responsible for the facilitation of all activities and the day-to-day management and supervision of GRREC's entrepreneurial initiatives.

Throughout his career, Dr. Moats has most enjoyed working with talented teachers and educational leaders across local, state, and national levels, with a primary focus on district and school improvement. He appreciates learning from colleagues, thinking and dreaming about innovations that influence educator efficacy, and developing and implementing systems of professional learning that are accessible to any teacher or leader no matter their situation or location. At home, Dr. Moats enjoys caring for his Iris gardens, researching his ancestry, and entertaining and connecting with friends and neighbors.

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