Meet the Authors
Erika Bare
Erika has been a proud educator for over twenty years, serving in a variety of roles with a deep commitment to supporting all students. She currently serves as the superintendent for the South Umpqua School District in beautiful Southern Oregon. Originally from Portland, Erika graduated from the University of Oregon with a Master’s in Education in 2001. She began her career as a middle school special education teacher, where she worked tirelessly to provide individualized support to help students reach their limitless potential.
Erika earned her administrative credential in 2012 at Southern Oregon University and transitioned into leadership roles, starting as assistant principal and later principal at the award-winning Ashland High School. Motivated by a desire to work with younger students, Erika moved to the elementary level as principal, then took on a district-level role as Assistant Superintendent in Ashland, overseeing special education, counseling and behavioral health, social-emotional learning, and elementary programs. In 2024, she became the superintendent for the South Umpqua School District, where she continues to focus on individualized supports to ensure every student thrives. Her dedication was recognized in 2024 when she received the Oregon’s Central Office Administrator Achievement of Excellence Award.
Erika lives in Southern Oregon loves spending time with her incredibly supportive husband, their two remarkable children—one in college and one in high school, three very mischievous cats and one very sweet puppy.
Tiffany Burns
Tiffany Burns lives in the Siskiyou Mountains outside Ashland, Oregon, with her college sweetheart husband and their two fabulous teenagers. Their home is a hub of activity - always full of kids, friends, family, and pets. Tiffany loves working with kids and is deeply committed to building strong, connected communities, not only for students but also for the adults who support them.
With more than two decades in education, Tiffany has taught elementary, middle, high school, and university students in public, private, bilingual, and homeschool settings across Oregon, Alaska, and Mexico. She has served as an instructional improvement and leadership coach, curriculum writer and consultant, and creator and facilitator of workshops and professional development in education, equity, leadership, and communication.
Tiffany spent twelve years as a school administrator, serving as a middle school assistant principal and K-8 outdoor school principal, and for nine years as the principal of a vibrant elementary school. She found these roles both incredibly rewarding and delightfully bizarre, providing endless opportunities to inspire and connect with students, staff, and families.
Tiffany now works as an instructional leadership coach and teaches pre-service educators at Southern Oregon University, supporting future teachers and school leaders while working nationwide to grow the Connected Communicator Movement - a movement focused on strengthening relationships, transforming behavior, and building connected, thriving school communities.
Connecting Through Conversation:
A Movement
What began as a shared passion between two educators has grown into a movement that empowers educators to transform behavior, strengthen relationships, and build thriving school communities through connection-centered communication.
Through books, professional learning, speaking, coaching, and conversations that inspire action, Erika and Tiffany equip educators with practical tools that create lasting change in classrooms, schools, and districts.
Explore Connecting Through Conversation
Books
New Release!Practical playbooks filled with real-world strategies for navigating difficult conversations, strengthening relationships, and leading with connection.
Podcast
Real Insight. Practical Leadership.Honest conversations, practical insights, and leadership strategies for educators, school leaders, and caregivers.
Services
Build a Culture of ConnectionBring Erika and Tiffany to your school or conference for keynotes, workshops, coaching, and customized professional learning.
In the Media
Interviews & FeaturesDiscover podcast interviews, articles, and featured appearances where Erika and Tiffany share their expertise with audiences across the education community.
We empower teams to navigate the toughest conversations to strengthen behavior, performance, and culture so students, staff, and communities thrive.
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