Speakers

Aleasa Word is a certified emotional intelligence practitioner, EQ assessor, diversity strategist & speaker. Her authentic, deep dive thinkable moments style seeks to reframe limiting beliefs and empower others. She uses education and life experience to help with authentic transformation .

Session: Emotional Intelligence-The Signs Are Everywhere

I help people confidently create connections & increase their emotional intelligence so they can lead with impact & love with intention | EQ Coach | Speaker | Corporate Health & Wellness Consultant | Facilitator | Author.

Session: Improve your boundaries to create a connection

Amanda Ann Gregory, a child psychotherapist, specializes in trauma and attachment treatment. She has worked with children for over 13 years in outpatient, residential, and community settings. She’s a published author and clinical trainer. Learn more at www.amandaanngregory.com

Session: Learn Attachment Interventions to Calm Traumatized Children

Ana Lorena Carrasco is the Program Director in AVANCE-North Texas. She is in charge of planning the delivery of the overall program and its activities. Ana Lorena is a dynamic and motivated professional with a proven record of generating and building relationships, managing projects from concept to completion, designing educational strategies, and coaching individuals to success. Ana Lorena began her relationship with AVANCE by participating in the program then as a volunteer for a year when she was hired by the agency in which she performed different functions for more than 11 years.

Session: Involucrando a los Padres y Utilizando sus Fortaleza para Apoyar el Aprendizaje en Casa (Also in English)

Angelique is an entrepreneur whose passion is to help others overcome gravity and climb to success. From basketball training organizations and landscaping companies to indoor playgrounds and private elementary schools, Angelique has coached many entrepreneurs and helped them start and/or grow their dream companies. Angelique has created business plans, strategic growth plans, speeches, and executive presentations for startups and existing businesses across various industries.
In addition to her career as a business coach and entrepreneur, Angelique Pierce has over 19 years of combined experience in management/leadership, process improvement, business strategy, marketing, etc. She has devoted the last 17 years to the automotive and trucking industries working for the Daimler brand of companies. Today, Angelique is a continuous improvement and change management coach, supporting the dealer network of Daimler Trucks North America (Freightliner Trucks), the #1 heavy-duty truck manufacturer in North America. She conducts trainings and workshops and provides other business support in order to help those dealerships streamline processes, increase profitability, and improve company culture. Angelique is a member of Women in Trucking and was the first African-American woman to serve as a board member of the national Used Truck Association. She has also been a keynote speaker, presenter, facilitator, panel member, and high-stakes moderator for various trucking industry conferences and events.
She earned both an MBA (Marketing) and a MS (Integrated Marketing Communications) from Loyola University Chicago in 2007, as well as a BA Advertising/Public Relations from Penn State University in 2000. Angelique is the proud mommy of her seven-year old, sassy, smart princess.

Session: Welcome to Space: Creating Balance to Overcome the Challenges of Remote Learning

Since 2004, Anthony has designed and facilitated diversity conversation in corporate and academic settings, including clients such as Harvard, Nike, and the ADA. His TEDx talk about race discussion with children has 3.5 million views. He holds an EdS in Culture, Cognition & the Learning Process.

Session: Listening to Children: Talk about Race

I am a Published Author, Speaker and Special Education Teacher who takes pride in building relationships with my students. I believe that if I make an effort to connect with students and show that I care about them and not just a paycheck, they will be more apt to listen to and work for me.

Session: Social Emotional Learning Through Literacy

As the Founder and Chief Culture Coach of Leaders and Lifters, Audrey Wyatt partners with leaders to build cultures of psychological safety, breakthrough performance, and innovation. Audrey has traveled nationally and facilitated over 100 workshops for a Fortune 100 Social Media Tech Company.

Session: Learning Verve: Supporting SEL with a Culture of Energy

Benjamin Smith is founder, executive director, and writer mentor with Southern Word, which has grown over the past thirteen years into one of the largest resources of its kind in the Southeast. He worked for six years in various youth development organizations including the YMCA, Conservations Corps, and Summerbridge. This experience included designing programs, developing lesson plans, and teaching creative writing in various forms. He subsequently worked for six years at Levi Strauss & Co. planning sizable events and managing Dockers® licensed businesses. He is a singer-songwriter who has played in country, jazz, rock and americana bands. He has been on the Tennessee State Arts Commission roster of approved teaching artists. Benjamin graduated from Brown University in 1994 with a degree in English and American Literature.

Session: Exploration of Writer Mentor Role in Classrooms

Dr. Bevin K. Reinen is an educator, writer, speaker, and consultant who comes with 15+ years of experience in education. She has taught elementary, secondary, and adult learners through her roles as a classroom teacher, instructional coach, and professional learning specialist. Dr. Reinen is National Board Certified as an Early Childhood Generalist and holds a B.A. in English, a M.S.Ed. in Early Childhood Education, and an Ed.D. in K-12 School Leadership. In 2015, she was named the Virginia Beach City Public Schools and Virginia Region II Teacher of the Year. She was also recognized as an Emerging Leader in the field by NAEYC, ASCD, and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Dr. Reinen is the proud founder of TeachTrainLove.com, a collaborative community that engages thousands of educators who are committed to professional learning and passionate about the social, emotional, and academic growth of all students. She aspires to help educators create connections, strengthen their craft, love their “work”, and dream BIG!

Session: Leveraging Social-Emotional Learning in the Covid-Era Classroom

Bobi Seredich is a recognized speaker, author, trainer, and successful entrepreneur specializing in leadership development. She is the co-founder of the Southwest Institute for Emotional Intelligence (SWIEI), and President of EQ Inspirations.

Session: How to Use Emotional Intelligence to Navigate Change

A foot in the door to the NBA to suddenly going to Prison, I share my journey of how I rebuilt my life within my adversity while using my knowledge gained through my experiences to educate my audiences on various topics of Social and Emotional Learning at all levels.

Session: AWAKE

Brian Anderson is a personal development coach, speaker, and author. He worked for Tony Robbins’ personal development company before travelling to all 50 states with an uplifting story about the contribution that he often shared in the classrooms. His travels were featured on the CBS Evening News and CNN.

Session: Purposefully Activating the Uplifting Chemicals of the Body

I am a mom, disaster survivor and a coach, teacher, speaker and trainer with over 20 years of experience that spans academia, faith-based, nonprofit, and government organizations; as well as has having held HR and Diversity leadership roles in the oil and gas industry.

Session:Wired2Win – Neurodiversity & Gifted Girls in STEM

Carrie Rogers-Whitehead is the founder of Digital Respons-Ability, a mission-based company that works with educators, parents and students to teach digital citizenship. Her company provides training to tens of thousands of students, parents, and educators across her state of Utah and beyond.

Session: The most important SEL skills for being a digital citizen

Dr. Larson is an ICF Professional Certified Coach with nearly 2000 hours of leadership coaching experience. She holds a Ph.D. in Industrial/Organizational Psychology and is the author both “The Coaching Companion: Get the Most from Your Coaching Experience”, and “Leverage Your Leader-Coach.”

Session: Secrets of Success from an Executive Coach

Casey O’Brien Martin is the author of Skills for Big Feelings: A Guide for Teaching Kids Relaxation, Regulation, and Coping Techniques. She is a School Adjustment Counselor, Licensed Mental Health Counselor, Registered Expressive Arts Therapist, and Registered Nurse with a passion for helping children grow into balanced and confident individuals. Casey draws on her unique skillsets to create mind-body programs designed to promote holistic wellbeing and emotional regulation in children, helping them to achieve their highest potential. She believes that teaching kids how to understand and cope with their feelings is an essential part of their personal growth, and she’s honored to be a part of this invaluable process. Casey graduated from Lesley University, where she currently serves as an Adjunct Faculty member in the Graduate School of Arts and Social Sciences. For more information,
visit www.wholechildcounseling.com.

Session: Teaching Coping Skills to Kids

Charles Williams has been an urban educator for more than 15 years serving as a teacher, a mentor/lead teacher, an assistant principal, and a principal for students in grades K-12. He also serves as an equity advocate, an author, a podcast host, and the co-host of a web series.

Session: The Problem With Color Blindness

Dr. Christopher Willard, (Psy. D.) is a clinical psychologist, author and consultant based in Massachusetts. He has spoken in thirty countries, and has presented at two TEDx events. He is the author of twenty books and teaches at Harvard Medical School.

Session: Emotional Intelligence in the Workplace

Christy Jones loves to laugh and have fun while working. She adores seeing people feel comfortable and being themselves. She loves understanding people’s needs so she asks a lot of questions. She has found that is it through asking the right questions is that the root cause of what someone is experiencing will appear.
As an experienced Certified Wholistic Health and Mindfulness Coach she runs a fun and unique private practice working individually with adults, teens and families teaching them how to listen to their internal body wisdom create a healthy mind and body with simple health, mindfulness and spiritual tools.
She loves seeing people’s lives change with these tools. She also provides essential mindfulness and health trainings in schools for teachers, administers and students to raise their awareness into their identity as love. When adults and children understand this simple truth that they are love, whole and complete negative behaviors drastically diminish.
She believes the key to health is understanding how your body, mind and heart work together to create optimal mental, emotional and physical health.
Clients tell her they just can’t believe how much better they feel after working with her and that no one told them these simple mindfulness and spiritual tools before. Many of her clients initially came to her because of struggling with digestive issues, high stress, anxiety, depression exacerbated by experiencing demanding work and home environments. She is passionate about teaching people to build a healthy gut since all health is dependent on the health of the gut.

Session: Becoming Inspired: Practical Mindfulness and Self-Care Strategies to Leave Overwhelm Behind You

Connie founded Budding Yoga, offering professional development, materials and inclusive SEL and wellness lessons through breath, movement, and mindfulness. She holds a B.Ed. Elementary Education, M.Ed. Special Education (Autism), and is also a 200hr RYT and Certified Children’s Yoga Teacher.

Session: A DOSE of Happy: Chaos to a Calm Classroom

Constance Bynum is a hair braider who was born and raised in Nashville. She had her first taste of spoken word with Southern Word in the summer after her 6th grade year. She went on to perform with the Southern Word teen slam team and feature at major Nashville platforms such as TEDxNashville, Leadership Nashville, Schermerhorn Symphony Center, and the unveiling of Nashville’s Witness Walls. She has a passion for raising awareness around mental health topics with her poetry. She enjoys spending time with her dog Vegas who is still kicking and sassy.

Session: Exploration of Writer Mentor Role in Classrooms

PhD student and owner of Tico LLC, a company that sells socks to support the financial needs of students with intellectual disabilities. Currently seeking her PhD at Indiana University improving learning outcomes for students with intellectual disabilities by combining brain science and technology.

Session: Navigating Special Education

Dr De’Anna Bond holds a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree in Psychology from Capella University. For the past 20+ years, she has worked in the public sector providing counseling services, SEL program development, quality assurance, and leadership development training.

Session: Leaders using Emotional Intelligence

Deepak Sharma is a professional coach and will speak about Overcoming Anxiety. Deepak was a senior operations executive driving rapid change to improve business profitability. Throughout his corporate career, Deepak stepped into challenging roles and assessed operational performance, developed process improvements, created teams, and implemented the action plans to attain the needed business results. Whether at a small or large company, or in any aspect of life, driving people to their best comes down to understanding who they are at the core and how to influence this so that they can become who they need to be. This is the key that allows people to accomplish everything required to create success and their dream life. On his journey to realize his own true capabilities, Deepak found clarity in his passion, which is to coach and mentor young adults so that they transition to become adults powerfully and achieve their dreams without the needless suffering and struggles that he experienced at their age.

Session: Overcoming Anxiety

Deirdre grew up in Puerto Rico, Canada and across the USA. Her dad was a great storyteller and her mom encouraged art and free range play. She received a double BA in English and Theater from Yale University and was the only American in her three year cohort at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London. A dual national of USA/Eire, Deirdre lived and worked as an actress and ESL teacher in the UK and Italy for many years before settling in Chicago two decades ago. She has served in leadership roles in development, community engagement, admissions, financial assistance at Snow City Arts, Eighth Blackbird, Creative Partners, Music Institute of Chicago, Global Citizenship Experience Lab School, and Baker Demonstration School. Her consulting business Big Dipper Projects, Inc. serves cultural and educational clients with collaborative development of strategy, audiences, funding and fully engaged boards.
Deirdre integrated creative storytelling back into her life in 2014 when, with Kyle Gregory Price, she co-founded The Lucky Trikes, a literacy chamber band that performs with Chicago’s top free jazz and new music artists. She is the proud mother of a dual-cultural daughter who is a visual artist and her greatest teacher. They have begun creating their first picture book together.

Session: Embracing Your Inner Storyteller Child: Intergenerational Connection and Confidence through Playful Story times

Douglas Yau, Ph.D, MBA, is a trained Emotional Intelligence instructor and EQ technology entrepreneur. He is also a co-founder and the chairman of the Board at STRUT Learning. In his prior academic research career, he published 25 abstracts and 11 peer reviewed manuscripts. He is also an experienced accredited Angel investor and has reviewed and advised on the investability of over 60 startups. Doug earned his PhD from the University of Illinois at Chicago, and MBA in Leadership and Change Management from DePaul University-Kellstadt Graduate School of Business. He also holds graduate certificates in Emotional Intelligence from The University of Illinois in Chicago and The Liautaud Institute. Having seen the positive effects of increasing his own EQ, Doug has made it a life goal of enhancing the emotional intelligence of our kids, so that they may enjoy academic and career success and in turn enhance society as a whole.

Session: How to Raise Your Child with High EQ

Dr. Chris Lee is founder and CEO of Elemental Shift Consulting, a neuroscience based consulting company educating on brain-based creativity, motivation, productivity and research-based strategy for a healthier mindset. Dr. Chris has consulted with 8 figure stock brokers on Wall Street to technology companies in
California on using custom biometric and neurofeedback data to build more resilient companies from the inside out. He has proudly served over 1,500 individuals and is currently working to get his neuroscience backed mindfulness
technique into the United States prison systems. Dr. Chris uses the latest research and personal case studies to personalize specific brain training strategies based on each individual and company’s needs so they can become anti-fragile to external changes and activate more neurologically sound problem-solving ability’s at will. Extremely proud father to his extraordinary daughter Phoenix who is the greatest thing that has ever been gifted into his life.

Session: Technology and Emotional Intelligence: How Technology Is Rewiring Our Brain’s Ability to Focus

Dr. Chiromo, an international psychologist, works with youth in multiple school settings. She has a decade of experience working in the field of mental health. Dr. Chiromo focuses on improving students’ mental health to increase participation and learning in the classroom. She equips and engages with teachers to develop best practices for connecting with students from diverse backgrounds with diverse experiences. Dr. Chiromo has also worked with youth and their families in mental health clinics in and outside of the USA. More on her work can be found at https://www.friendzy.co/ and https://www.marcellachiromo.com/

Session: Culturally Responsive Classrooms

Promoting Self Image Intelligence, Social and Emotional Learning Development and Economic Success in our community and aboard.

Session: Self Image Intelligence

Dr. Teresa Granillo is the CEO of AVANCE, Inc., a non-profit that breaks the cycle of inter-generational poverty through innovative, two-generation education and support for families with young children. Dr. Granillo was a first-generation college graduate of The University of Arizona earning a BA in Psychology and graduating Magna Cum Laude. She then went on to earn a Master’s of Social Work, a Master’s of Science in Psychology, and a Dual Ph.D. in Social Work and Psychology from the University of Michigan. Prior to AVANCE, Inc. Dr. Granillo spent nearly six years serving as the Executive Director of Con Mi MADRE, a two-generation non-profit that focuses on helping young Latinas to pursue higher education and engages mothers in their daughters’ education process. Under her leadership the organization expanded across the state of Texas.
Dr. Granillo served as a Tenure-Track Professor at UT Austin in the School of Social Work. She taught clinical skills to social work students focusing on evidence-based and culturally responsive practices for children and families. She also led a successful line of research in the area of Latina/o mental health and help seeking with a particular emphasis on Latina youth.
Dr. Granillo has also served the community through various volunteer positions. She currently serves on the National Advisory Council for the Hogg Mental Health Foundation and is a board member for Workforce Solutions Capital Area and Unidos US (formerly the National Council of La Raza). She has served as Education Chair on the Board of the Hispanic Women’s Network of Texas, board member for a women’s empowerment non-profit, HERdacity, and member of the Education Committee of the Greater Austin Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. She has received several awards and recognitions including the Austin Under 40 Award in Non-profit/Community Service, The Lora Lee Peterson Teaching Excellence Award, the Women of Distinction Award from the Texas Association of Mexican American Chambers of Commerce, and the Estrella Award from the Hispanic Women’s Network of Texas.
Dr. Granillo has spent over two decades working to ensure that Latinx children and families have all the mental, physical, social, and economic resources to thrive. She is particularly passionate about the power of education. As a first-generation college graduate, she knows firsthand how an education can end the cycle of poverty.

Session: Engaging Parents and Utilizing their Strengths to Support Learning at Home (Also in Spanish)

During Duane’s 27-year career in education, he has served as a speaker, teacher, championship coach, counselor, and consultant. Throughout, he has embraced a unique mission to create, apply, and share impactful research-based strategies in the areas of emotional intelligence and positive psychology.

Session: Leading with Strengths

Dr. Elaine Harper is an experienced teacher, counselor and leader in the arenas of education and mental health.  Dr. Harper integrates education, mental health and social emotional learning. Through roles as parent, teacher, assistant principal, and non-profit leader, she brings uniqueness, including trauma informed care for teaching and leading. Dr. Harper is passionate about bringing out the best in people.

Session: SEL thruLIT: Bibliotherapy for the Classroom

Elena Grant is a vivacious, excitable, and experienced 1st grade teacher and Clinical Mental Health counselor. She is a proud graduate of Oakwood University where she obtained her B.S. in Elementary Education. She started her teaching career five years ago in Benton Harbor, MI at a Title 1 school. As the computer specialist, she handled any technology issues or concerns. In addition, she administered tests. A year later, she decided to move to Florida to pursue a teaching position in middle school. The experience in Florida was challenging, but she was able to find success in her students’ achievement.
Soon after, she was married to her wonderful husband, David Grant and moved to Atlanta, Ga where she taught at an inner city elementary school. Currently, she has been teaching at Shadow Rock Elementary school for five years and has been a grade chair for 4 of the 5 years. In addition, She is the author of the book, ” A New First Day.” This book addresses the current approach to education in regards to COVID-19. As an elementary school teacher, she felt it was important to address the many challenges students will and have faced entering the classroom after the effects of COVID-19. Cindy, the main character is faced with her new reality. Although Cindy is presented with new challenges and disappointments, she eventually finds joy in the midst of this global pandemic. So, come journey with Cindy as she navigates through her first day of her new normal. Lastly, she lives day by day with the motto, “Your limitation is only your imagination…”

Session: Brain Development in Children and Teens

Ella Gozie-Iwudoh is an advocate of Social Emotional Learning, a Microsoft Innovative Educator, and an associate with Digital Citizenship Institute, U.S.A. Ella’s philosophy is that quality of education is the right of every child, irrespective of the parents’ economic strength.

Session: Empathy in The Classroom: Connecting the Dots

Emily is currently a Social Emotional Learning coach for schools in Indianapolis, IN supporting leaders, staff, students and families in mindfulness, educational neuroscience and SEL curriculum and Educational Consultant collaborating with communities, families and schools through SEL partnerships.

Session: Slow Starts-Morning Routines that Prime the Brain

Genein Letford is an award-winning speaker, best-selling author and corporate trainer on creative thinking and Intercultural Creativity TM. She is the founder of CAFFE Strategies, and has inspired and led many to reconnect to their creative abilities in order to produce innovative ideas for an inclusive workspace. Her unique training intersects creative thinking development with building a culture of inclusion and belonging. She believes creative literacy is a critical skill and she is often called ‘America’s Creativity Coach’ for her work in reigniting creativity in our workforce.

Session: Catalyzing Creativity Through Observation

George Donald helps professionals develop themselves to become the strongest, most attractive force in their lives. With over 8 years of full-time coaching experience & group facilitation, he empowers others to live their vision in the service of their potential & sustainability on the planet.

Session: Avoiding the Drama Triangle Trap

Gerard Vargas is an expert in curriculum design, instructional coaching, and Socio-Emotional Learning (SEL). He is a professor at Loyola Marymount University and develops SEL curriculum and training for both students and teachers that transforms thinking habits, beliefs, and behaviours.

Session: The 5:1 Mindset: Creating powerful SEL habits in 5 minutes!

Hal’s a former educator & co-founder of SchoolStack, a company that guides educators in creating student-centered classrooms. He’s learned that children thrive when they feel valued and have choice in their learning. He’s passionate about helping educators create these environments for students.

Session: Student-Centered Learning:4 Strategies for Powerful Pedagogy

Mrs Haseena Shaheed-Jackson is an Author, Speaker, Trainer and Coach. She is the author of Created to Soar, Reflections Within and Messages from the Spirit. Ms. Jackson’s mission is to help others to see with new eyes, overcoming the paralysis in their thinking. One must use the power of thinking.

Session: 3 Secrets to Remembering Your Vision

Heather Marshall is an author, speaker and coach who helps people connect to their authentic selves. She has worked in K-12 education for the past 24 years, as a classroom teacher, mentor and coach. She is a Certified Mindfulness Instructor. You can find out more about her at heathergmarshall.com.

Session: Mindful Writing to Deepen Connections to Self and Curriculum

Teacher, author, and well-being support coach, Jamie Johnson, has spent her life exploring and learning how to excel at one of the most high pressure jobs in the US without sacrificing a high quality of life. Named one of the 30 Life Coaches to watch for in 2022, Jamie’s mission is happy teachers!

Session: Teach and Still Have Time to Pee

Dr. Janis Modeste is a Speaker/Academic Behavioral And Emotional Interventions Strategist. She trains and consults with educators across the nation. As an advocate for inclusion, she also specializes in providing professional development on DEI/SEL/ and other Special Education Topics

Session: Interventions 2 Empower 4

Jennifer Watson, MPT, I.M.T.,C will be speaking on the topic of Emotional Intelligence Mastery: Amplifying your child’s unique Emotional Intelligence. Owner of Jennifer Watson Leadership, Jennifer is a dynamic speaker with a gift for intuitive and visionary coaching. She is an expert in wellness & leadership development, identity & mental edge enhancement, post-trauma growth, and movement & change adaptation. Incorporating her expertise along with her athletic gifts as a former collegiate athlete and All-American, she has had the honor to share here message on the TEDx stage, NBC, Fox Radio and top Podcasts. With 20 years experience in business and leadership management and health & wellness advocacy, she inspires those to unleash their potential and performance in all areas of their life.

Session: Emotional Intelligence Mastery: Amplifying Your Child’s Unique Emotional Intelligence

Jerry Hanson, Trainer and Speaker, uses his 44 years of education experience to create teacher and leadership professional development that hits the mark. Certified Trainer (John Maxwell Team) in DISC Personality Behavior and (Jon Gordon) Power of Positive Leadership and Power of Positive Team.

Session: Communication That Hits the Mark

15 years as an elementary school principal (2020 ACSA Elementary Principal of the Year for San Diego & Imperial Counties). A servant leader who is passionate about preparing students to be future ready. He feels that the EQ is just as, if not more, important as the IQ.

Session:  Fostering SEL As A School Leader

Jill Stansbury is a social and emotional learning consultant based out of Blaine, Washington. She is a certified Positive Discipline parent educator and holds a master’s degree in educational leadership from DePaul University with over 25 years of classroom and administrative experience.

Session: Prismatic Parenting and Teaching: Self-connection Strategies
Session: Mindful Baby – Mindful Preschooler: Embodied Caretaking

Jillian Joyce Kaufmann is a lecturer at Illinois State University, Her course focuses on communication and critical thinking, using public speaking as a vehicle to explore these concepts. Her research centers on training university teachers how to accommodate and support students with disabilities.

Session: Student Accommodations: Mental Health and Education

Jon Corippo and Roni Habib will be sharing easy to adopt and employ techniques for teachers and parents who desire a positive, creative 4Cs oriented classroom. We’ve been doing school without good results for over 50 years – Jon and Roni have great examples to use for the way forward.

Session: Eduprotocols & EQ Schools: SEL + Academic Success

Joyce Marter is a licensed psychotherapist, entrepreneur, national public speaker, and mental health thought leader. She is the founder of Urban Balance (a national outpatient mental health company) and the author of The Financial Mindset Fix: A Mental Fitness Program for an Abundant Life.

Session: Mental Wealth: How to Promote Mental & Financial Health

Julia Cook, M.S. is a national award-winning children’s author, counselor, and parenting expert. She has presented in thousands of schools nationally and internationally, regularly speaks at education and counseling conferences, and has published children’s books on a wide range of character and social development topics. The goal behind Cook’s work is to actively involve young people in fun, memorable stories and teach them to become lifelong problem solvers. Inspiration for her books comes from working with children and carefully listening to counselors, parents, and teachers, in order to stay on top of needs in the classroom and at home. Cook has the innate ability to enter the worldview of a child through storybooks, giving children both the “what to say” and the “how to say it.”

Session: Joy: It’s an Inside Job

Julie Frizzi, MS, is deeply committed to developing emotional wellness in children and equipping educators and leaders to support this growth. Her 34 years of experience in education was transformed in 2008 when she discovered during her first yoga class the magical too that was missing to help children: The Power of Breath. Adding yoga to her comprehensive guidance program has fueled her to an unstoppable journey that excites her daily. She is the author of several social-emotional books that include yoga for children that are being used across the nation in schools and homes. You might find Julie practicing yoga on her paddleboard or sailboat where she can hear and feel nature’s power. In her quiet time, she enjoys cooking, painting, and spending time with her family.

Session: Breathe More…Stress Less Through Yoga SEL Lessons

Kathy Magnusson, M.Ed. has over 25 years working in education. As a trainer, coach, and speaker, she shows educators and youth service professionals what is needed to create safe and effective learning environments that draw upon the strengths of both adults and youth.

Session: Seeing Beyond Behaviors: Behavior Management Strategies

Kelsey Low is an Empowerment and Self-Love Coach. She is a TEDx Speaker, Online Coach and Mindset Mentor. She supports people in achieving their goals through personal alignment with tools like mindfulness, sound healing and meditation. Kelsey has a podcast called Joyfully You and a group-coaching program called G.L.O.W. Self Love Mastermind.

Session: Creating Emotional Intelligence & Setting Intentions to Lead Yourself & Others

Kevin Karschnik is a keynote speaker, entrepreneur, and author who is recognized around the globe as an expert in leadership and communication. Kevin delivers high-energy, high-impact keynote presentations with strategies and practices they need to succeed in today’s business climate.

Session: Positivity Under Pressure

Dr Keyuanoosh is an International Medical Graduate, with a Post-doctoral Research fellowship from Johns Hopkins Hospital. She is a Leadership and Physician coach, Founder and Creative Director at My conscious Coaching Group which is a 501C3 charitable coaching nonprofit and an Author and Speaker.

Session: Emotional and Spiritual Intelligence in Education

Kristin Calabria is an AMFT based in California. She graduated from Pepperdine University with an MA in Clinical Psychology with a focus on Marriage and Family Therapy. In her clinical practice, Kristin works with children, adolescents, and their support systems. As a yoga and meditation teacher, Kristin also incorporates the knowledge of the body into her clinical work. In 2018, Kristin founded The B.R.I.D.G.E., a non-profit that works to end systemic oppression in education through the lens of mental health.

Session: Building Emotional Resilience through Knowledge of the Body

Kyle Gregory Price is a critically acclaimed, genre-fluid composer, percussionist, turntablist, and stop-motion animator raised in a one stop-light town in upstate New York. Following college and a decade in the punk, noise, and new music scenes on the east coast, he moved to Chicago to expand his collaborative community and opportunities for composing, performing and creating. He has collaborated with numerous local artists such as Ben Lamar Gay, Mabel Kwan, and Sara Zalek and organizations including Third Coast Percussion, the Merce Cunningham Dance Troupe, NON:op Opera, and Theater Y among others. Kyle has recently performed at the MCA, Art Institute of Chicago, The Newberry, Thirsty Ears Festival and in Experimental Sound Studio’s Oscillations and Florasonic Series. In 2014 Kyle co-founded, with Deirdre Harrison, the intergenerational literacy chamber band The Lucky Trikes, who have recorded two albums of his original songs. A new score by Kyle will be featured in the Sound of Silence Film Festival in April 30 – May 8, 2021.

Session: Embracing Your Inner Storyteller Child: Intergenerational Connection and Confidence through Playful Story times

Laura Haver is a play, communication and happiness expert. She is obsessed with uncovering the secrets of how to live an unstoppable life and is passionate about leading and teaching through play. Laura is a mom, author, coach, speaker and athlete. She has helped hundreds of people and families to experience more play, growth and inspiration in their lives. Laura holds a master’s degree in International Communication and has been coaching for over 25 years in tennis, leadership and life design (for both children and adults). Check out her #WeWriteTheStory Challenge for over 65 fun screen free games and activities you can play with your kids to boost their EQ, mindfulness, and creativity (plus your overall family connection). Also read along in her parenting and #momlife adventures full of stories, tips and tricks on her blog www.laurahaver.com. Look for her books, Whirlwind Parenting and Play Together coming in 2021.

Session: Screen Free Family Games & Activities to Boost Creativity, EQ, Connection, and Fun!

Lawanda Innocent currently works in the position of School Social Worker with the NYC Department of Education. For over 15 years, Lawanda has worked continuously to engage children and families in topics such as social-emotional wellness and mindfulness.

Session: The Benefits of Teaching Social Emotional Learning through Mindfulness

Lorena Seidel M.Ed. is a Social-Emotional Learning specialist, a Montessori educator, a Positive Discipline facilitator, a Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction teacher, and a mother of three. She empowers adults (parents and educators) to become social-emotional coaches for their children or students.

Session: Stop Surviving Parenting & Start Thriving at It- In 4 Steps!

Lorena Seidel M.Ed. is a Social-Emotional Learning specialist, a Montessori educator, a Positive Discipline facilitator, a Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction teacher, and a mother of three. She helps educational leaders to support the social and emotional well-being of students (and their families!)

Session: “Helping Families Raise Emotionally Intelligent Children”

L’Tanya Johnson-Coombs aka CPT Johnson is a U.S. Army Veteran. Founder of HCI Consulting-VA, LLC. Certified: SPHR, MGSCC, MBTI, and EQ/EI. BA-Pre-Law; MS-HR MGT, and ABD-BUS MGT/ORG DEV. Member: Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. Leading HR roles: GE, Raytheon, VPG & national retail company.

Session: Do you know the impact of your EQ? Emotional Intelligence

Matt Hiefield (MAT) is a district Social Science and Digital Equity specialist. He facilitates the District’s Digital Equity Team and co-facilitates Latino Parent Technology Nights in an effort to address the digital use divide. He is passionate about working to eliminate opportunity gaps.

Session: Beyond Devices: Fostering Human Networks for Digital Equity

Matt is the founder of Dreamfully, a casual wellness app that makes practicing mindfulness as easy as scrolling TikTok. A proven leader who is dedicated to using his diverse skillset for the betterment of society, Matt’s goal is to help others gently heal and empower themselves and others.

Session: A Gentle Approach to Applied Mindfulness

Dr. Lippincott is an award winning, peer reviewed researcher with Goleman EI. He continues to produce book sections, articles, and video interviews focused on EI, mindfulness and organizational performance. His client work includes Bank of America, Google, Amazon, Gilead Sciences, UVA and UPenn.

Session: Working with SEL in the post-pandemic world

McKenna Reitz is an inspirational speaker and a Challenge Coach who works with men and women to reframe life’s challenges into gifts and opportunities so they can pursue their purpose with clarity and confidence. After losing all her hair due to Alopecia, McKenna uses her journey of having this autoimmune disease to help others overcome the loss in their life by resetting the mindset of their “loss” into growth and opportunities. Teaching AP Psychology and coaching varsity volleyball for the past 16 years, McKenna resides in Toledo, OH with her husband Greg, and two beautiful daughters Karsen (9) and Maddox (5). McKenna has been featured on The Dr. Oz Show, theList, Cheddar, ABC, CBS, NBC, and featured in the Global Woman Magazine, Healthy Women, Medium, Authority, Thrive Global, and Love What Matters.

Session: The Impact of Classroom Management on Social-Emotional Learning

Melanie Larkins is a High Performance Coach with over 30 years of experience in wellness for people through sports (Former Division I Athlete, coach, referee), yoga and meditation, and other modalities. She works with professional athletes, business executives, and young high performers.

Session: How to Succeed in High Pressure Environments

Meredith is passionate about helping students realize his/her/their potential, independence, and authentic self. She brings nearly 20 years of diverse experience working with young people and adults, and has a Masters of Education in Human Development focused in School Counseling. She is skilled in strategic planning, personal coaching, communication management, and professional development, and has served as a senior administrator in several schools. Meredith was most recently the Dean of Student Life at The Branson School, where she oversaw all aspects of student social emotional health and wellness. She also oversaw the diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts for the school for many years as the Dean of Inclusion. Now with Village Coaches, Meredith continues her work with students, encouraging them to be intrepid, courageously discover new things, author their own experience, and to serve a purpose in life larger than themselves. Meredith also regularly presents to groups of parents and educators on a range of social emotional learning topics. Having attended many ‘enjoyable but not very useful’ conferences herself, Meredith understands the importance of going beyond the theoretical. With a bias towards action and a goal of helping her audience feel greater confidence in their own capacity, her professional development presentations are designed to build skills and knowledge that can be put into practice right away.

Session: Building Educator Resilience and Trauma Informed Self-Care

Milly Chacko is a former Special Education teacher with 15 years of experience working with children of all ages and all abilities. She passionately believes that children are more than a diagnosis or a numerical measure based on standardized tests. While teaching, Milly pursued a course of study in yoga and mindfulness. She developed programs in mindfulness for teachers and other adults, ran a nonprofit program bringing yoga to women in need, applied trauma informed mindfulness practices to middle school students, and is currently piloting a new class in her elementary school focusing on social emotional skills and mindfulness for students in grades Pre-K through 5th. Milly believes that we are all capable of anything regardless of our backgrounds, abilities, or what tests tell us. When all the parts of us are healthy and cared for, it leads to success- and more importantly, happiness within that success.

Session: The Savvy Social & Emotionally Intelligent Student

Mitch Schneider enjoys fostering innovation, learning, and social change through collaboration. He has developed multiple multi-million dollar social-benefit organizations and has a history of success in strategy, fundraising, social ROI, program implementation, and leadership development. His lifelong pursuit to promote individual empowerment and reduce multi-generational poverty has recently led him to the education sector. Mitch has master degrees in international management (MIM), entrepreneurial management (MBA), and elementary education (MAT). . He is pursuing a doctoral degree (EDD) ) with a focus on social-emotional learning technology, healthy engagement strategies, and instructional design and technology for social change. He has an 11-year-old son that he adores. Together they actively explore learning, sports, cooking, and – outrageous laughter. He currently serves as the founder and CEO of STRUT Learning with cofounder and Board Chair Douglas Yau. Together they are proud to help lead a passionate team of educators, SEL Specialists, technologists, and entrepreneurs.

Session: Building Emotional Intelligence Through Instructional Design and Technology

Niki Spears is Author, Motivational Speaker, and Founder of Culture Cre8ion. She is currently touring the country sharing a message of accelerating P.E.A.C.E throughout the organization- Psychological Safety, Engagement, Alignment, Commitment, and Empowerment.

Session: BELIEVE! BE Awesome! BE YOU!

Norma Vargas is the Program Specialist at AVANCE, INC. She provides guidance and supports sites across the AVANCE network with training and coaching on curriculum and program implementation based on best practices in early childhood, parenting, and adult education. She also supports the sites with program fidelity and effective implementation of programming and services. Before joining AVANCE, Inc., Norma worked at the AVANCE North Texas site for 11 years. She was most recently a Parent Educator, but also served as a Lead Teacher, a Home Visitor and an Early Childhood Teacher during her tenure at the North Texas Chapter. Norma has an Associate Degree in Child Growth and Development, a Child Development Associate credential, she is School Readiness Certified and she is currently enrolled in an Infant-Toddler Certification program.

Session: Padres Como Socios y Co-Creadores en el Aprendizaje Remoto (Esta Sesión También está Siendo Presentada en Inglés por Sonia Dominguez)

As a Creativity + Executive Coach, certified coach supervisor, workshop facilitator, and performance poet, Paul’s life and career has been dedicated to the field of self-development, and to affecting positive change through play, storytelling, and powerful conversations, initially as a psychotherapist and now as a Professional Certified Coach accredited by the International Coaching Federation. As a certified LEGO® Serious Play® methods coach, Paul supports his clients, young and the young at heart, to think with their hands and create LEGO® ARTifacts that, with reflective question prompts, allows them to make meaning of old self-limiting stories or create new resourceful ones. Paul holds a Master’s in Psychology – Marriage & Family Therapy from Phillips Graduate University and a Bachelor’s in Business Administration, with an emphasis in Marketing from the University of Southern California, Marshall School of Business. He is also the Principal/Head Launch Coach for super9solutions, llc., an Erickson Certified Professional Coach with Erickson Coaching International. In addition to his certification in Coaching Supervision with the Goldvarg Consulting Group, he is a Certified DRiV/DRiV360 Consultant, a Certified Values Coach, and a Certified Team Prelude facilitator.

Session: Hands-On Social-Emotional Learning with LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY®

Pierce Delahunt holds an MEd from the Institute for Humane Education. They have worked with CISV, YEA Camp, SMASH Academy, Healthy School Food, + more. They teach SEL + Socialism: Individualist SEL is insufficient – Our fulfilling lives + ​relationships cannot come at the expense of others.

Session: Social Emotional Learning for Social Justice

Rebecca is an author, educator, and mom who serves as Chief Hen at Rooster & Hen Press. There, she nurtures ideas, stories, and concepts and combines them with her creative juices, teacher-mom abilities, and education background to create and manage book projects, resources, and learning experiences for all. Rebecca was born and raised in Chicago. She loves art, storytelling, and seeing children learn more about themselves and those around them. She has educated children most of her life from tutoring and classroom teaching, to designing curriculum and developing teachers both in the U.S. and Asia. Reflecting her deep passion for using stories to connect with people, Rebecca authored Rooster & Hen’s debut children’s book, Moving In Forever. The book is based on personal experience and offers a tender perspective on hospice care. She takes her work with her at workshops and seminars as she continues to educate children, families, and teachers on how to process emotions, be authentic in their storytelling, and approach to life’s twists and turns with empathy and bravery. Her latest and greatest role in education has been raising her two very curious and joyful boys. She is often found side-by-side with them reading stories, crafting cardboard inventions, and baking delicious chocolate chip cookies. Rebecca holds a Master’s degree in Teaching from Trinity International University and is also licensed elementary school teacher. She earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Chicago.

Session: Process Over Prescription: Practical Ways To Help Children Cope With Loss

Renée Dineen is a best-selling author, TEDx & motivational speaker, and founder of the Deep Tissue Living Institute, a coaching and consulting platform dedicated to doing the deepest work with those who never thought they could.

Session: Authentic Inaction: Undoing the Doing in a Do Crazy World

Rheon Gibson is the Author & Creator of “The Dizz Wizz Series”; which is an African-American motivational children’s book series and a school principal in the Midwest. ; Bachelors of Science degree in Sociology, Masters’s degree in School Counseling, and a Masters’s degree in Educational Administration

Session: How much of “You” do you have left?

I am a wife, mother, grandmother, Educator of the Humanities, singer, and student of life. My superpower is love!

Session: All You Need is Love and to “Keep it Real”

Riccardo Codevilla is a Sociologist, Emotional Intelligence and Behavioral Analysis expert. He is specialized in many different emotional intelligence approaches. He works with schools, associations and public institutions. His goal is to build an emotionally intelligence Society.

Session: Social Skills: the only way to survive

Dr. Richard Hughes served as a Superintendent for over 10 years. In recognition of his achievements, he was named 2017 Superintendent of the Year by NYSCATE and selected as a LELA Fellow in 2015. Currently he is Education Champion working to improve the lives of those entering our schools.

Session: SEL in Everything We Do

Robert Beltz is a 21 year educator specializing in ELD, trauma and resilience, DEI, and applied educational neuroscience. Mr. Beltz has been a speaker at numerous conferences, including the Leader in Me Symposium, the ESEA National Conference, and the Trauma Informed Educator Network Conference.

Session: Isolation, Identity, and EQ: The Science of Belonging

Sarah’s a former teacher & co-founder of SchoolStack, a company that guides educators in creating student-centered classrooms. After working in project-based learning schools, she’s passionate about helping students be the drivers of their learning, and she’s grateful to do this on a larger scale.

Session: Student-Centered Learning:4 Strategies for Powerful Pedagogy

Scarlett Lewis founded the nonprofit Jesse Lewis Choose Love Movement after her son was murdered during the Sandy Hook Elementary School tragedy in December 2012. After his death, Scarlett became part of the solution to the issues that we’re seeing in our society—and that also caused the tragedy. She created the Movement and became an advocate for social and emotional learning (SEL) and character development that teaches children how to manage their emotions, feel connected, and have healthy relationships. Speaking across the US and internationally to diverse audiences, Scarlett urges everyone to become part of the solution. Scarlett created the Choose Love for Schools Program, a no-cost, comprehensive, lifespan, next generation SEL and character development program that teaches children and adults how to thoughtfully respond with love in any situation, handle adversity, and have courageous conversations by using the Choose Love Formula of: Courage + Gratitude + Forgiveness + Compassion-in-Action = Choosing Love. Choose Love has been extended into homes, communities, athletics, and the workplace. The programs have been accessed in all 50 states and 110 countries, reaching more than 2 million children.

Session: How to Build a Culture of Connection and Compassion Through Choosing Love

Shannon Schoenebeck has over a decade of teaching experience and believes every child deserves the skills to succeed in the classroom and throughout life. She puts her beliefs into action as an SEL coach and the executive director of the K-8 SEL program and curriculum, Made to Be Me.

Session: 3 Steps to Less Stress: SEL for the Modern Classroom

While social emotional learning is often not considered core content, it is the core of all content! Educators often find it difficult to balance teaching curricular content and teaching what really is important: teaching students how to truly love the person that is in all of those selfie photos!

Session: #MySelfieLab: Classroom Makeover

Shawn challenges you to dive deep into your relationship to the most important aspect of your professional and personal life – your emotions. Audiences quickly tune into a state of positivity and self-awareness, opening a new paradigm that creates opportunities for happiness and fulfillment. From senior executives to entrepreneurial leaders to aspiring recent graduates – they all share a common life-changing experience when challenged by Shawn. He is the founder of Saxus Leadership Development, SwitchPoint Events, SwitchPoint Development, and the OEQ Development process.  He began his career as an audio engineer, mixing sound for over 200 national and international recording artists, 25 professional theatre productions, and corporate clients such as the Brickyard 400 (Indianapolis), Hyatt Regency, and Daimler-Chrysler. In 2004, he left the world of audio to pursue his career in consulting. Shawn’s objective is to get his audience focused on the awareness and behaviors that will lead them to profoundly better business and life outcomes.  He has learned that through active listening and empathy, he can quickly assess a situation, identify behavior patterns and barriers, develop a strategy, and affect positive change. He uses his theatre production background to build an engaging, entertaining, and immersive experience for his speaking audiences. If practiced and applied, these skills are also impactful in each individual’s personal relationships and happiness. The side effects just happen to be things that every business wants: employee engagement, job satisfaction, great customer experiences, and a culture of diversity and inclusion. From banking to healthcare, Shawn has worked with clients in a myriad of industries. You can find him speaking, training, and developing people in the areas of emotional intelligence , happiness, and leadership. When not actively with a client, he spends time as a volunteer speaking to students in the JAG Program (Jobs for America’s Graduates) and mentoring students participating in the Young Entrepreneurs’ Academy. He also is a musician, nerd and an explorer who practices daily gratitude and mindfulness.

Session: Education and Emotional Health: Starting Within

Shawn Whitsell is a father, activist, poet, teaching artist, and mentor with Southern Word for the past 12 years. He is also an actor, playwright, director, producer and founder of the Destiny Theatre Experience. His one-man show “23/1” was named “Best Blend of Theater and Activism” by the Nashville Scene, for its message about solitary confinement and mass incarceration. When he isn’t on stage, he visits schools and community spaces, teaching spoken word for Southern Word and drama for a number of arts institutions. He also serves as a volunteer teacher/facilitator for the School for Alternative Learning & Transformation (SALT) at Riverbend Maximum Security Institution. Shawn was a 2020 Nashville New Leaders Council fellow and is currently a member of the NLC board. He also serves on the boards of Street Theatre Company and Rooftop Nashville. He is a member of the Metro Nashville Community Oversight Board, the Jail Data Special Committee and the Co-Chair of the Criminal Justice Task Force for Nashville Organized For Action and Hope (NOAH).

Session: Exploration of Writer Mentor Role in Classrooms

I am an Emotions Coach and a Life coach to children, teens and parents. The name of my company is OTLO, a family centric platform geared to recreate meaningful lines of communication towards behavioral transformation family cohesion 🙂

Session: Emotional Intelligence in the Corporate World

Shreya is an early childhood and SEL researcher with extensive experience in designing education programs, conducting SEL sessions, and facilitating professional development workshops. A Harvard alumnus, she has worked closely with schools, communities, and shelter homes across global contexts.

Session: Supporting Emotional Development in Early Childhood

Silvana Favaretto is a life coach dedicated to helping women discover their natural vibrance, without watering down their true selves. With over a decade of study around emotional intelligence, Silvana founded the women’s empowerment group The Bold Bombshell Club, speaks to women from all walks of life, and offers courses on harnessing your own bold femininity. She initially graduated as a Visual Designer and built a successful career in that field, but her greatest masterpieces are the personal canvases on which she’s imprinted her boldness. Born in Brazil, Silvana moved to Chicago 16 years ago and started cutting away the superfluous things in her life that held her back: false narratives fueled by society’s expectations of what she, as a woman, should be. Instead, she focused on being her truest, most extraordinary self. Today, Silvana inspires other women by embracing a childlike enthusiasm and zest for life as a woman. Her optimism and clarity about her own true self empower other women to chip away at their own timidity about who they are. She thrives in building other women up, and her broad strokes of bold have touched women across the country and been featured in the Chicago Tribune, Thrive Global, Chicago-Woman.com, Chicago Now, lifeUPlift, CS Magazine, and the One-of-a-Kind Show. The Bold Bombshell Club (former TulleTribe) is a network of female trailblazers from all walks of life—entrepreneurs, influencers, students, artists, mothers, and more—all working to lift and learn from one another on the way. These are women who are willing to do the inner work to be a bombshell for themselves and everyone around them, who live their values, serve others, bring their best everywhere!

Session: EQ Gives You Superpowers

Sonia Dominguez is the Chief Program Officer at AVANCE, Inc., where she provides leadership and strategy for programming across the AVANCE network. Before joining AVANCE, Sonia served as the senior director of learning networks for E3 Alliance, a collective impact organization based in Austin, Texas, where she led systems-change efforts in education to improve student outcomes from cradle-to-career. A Head Start graduate, Sonia draws upon her lived experience and passion to improve opportunities for underserved communities through education. Her work in education spans working with parents and children under 5 to teaching education courses at the University. Sonia’s experience includes serving as a public school teacher, instructional coach, mathematics coordinator, director of curriculum, and adjunct faculty. She earned a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in education from the University of Texas at El Paso.

Session: Parents as Partners and Co-Creators in Remote Learning (This Session is also Being Presented in Spanish by Norma Vargas)

Sue Z. Beers is currently the Director of MISIC, a non-profit consortium of over seventy school districts working together to improve teaching and learning. Over four decades in education, Sue has been a teacher, coach, Director of Curriculum, author of six books for ASCD and independent consultant in the areas of literacy across the curriculum, assessment, leadership and school improvement.

Session: Developing as a Professional: Learning as a Pathway for Self and Professional Renewal

Susan has helped experts sell more than $600M with aligned relationship strategies to build trust. Founder of When She Conquers and host of Master the Sales Game podcast, her mission is to help create more female millionaire entrepreneurs and spread a mentality of wealth and abundance in the world.

Session: Creating connections that turn into paying clients

Tamesha is an inspirational speaker, co-author, educator, and scholarship strategist. She is the owner of Tamesha Speaks, LLC where she focuses on; youth and young adults, education, and inspiring women. She has been featured in local magazines and Chip Baker – The Success Chronicles podcasts.

Session: Mental Health Matters Now and Forever More

Tara O’Brien brings her nearly 20 years of experience in a wide range of schools across several states, including independent and faith-based institutions. Well respected by colleagues for her inspirational leadership, she has led successful schools in both Arizona and New Mexico. With a strong passion for lifelong learning, Tara has gained double Master’s Degrees in Educational Leadership and Curriculum & Instruction. Believing that her mentors were critical to her own development, Tara has a strong interest in the contribution that coaching and positive psychology can make to educational leadership. Tara is a popular presenter at educational leadership conferences.

Session: Escaping Your MindTraps™

Todd Nesloney is the Director of Culture and Strategic Leadership for the Texas Elementary Principals and Supervisors Association (TEPSA). He has also served as an award-winning principal of a PreK-5th Grade campus of over 775 students in a rural town in Texas. He has been recognized by the White House, John C Maxwell, the Center for Digital Education, National School Board Association, the BAMMYS, and more for his work in education and with children. Todd has written four books, including Kids Deserve It, Stories From Webb, Sparks in the Dark, and his brand new book When Kids Lead. He also recently released his first children’s book Spruce And Lucy. He hosts the podcast “Tell Your Story” and is very active on social media under the moniker Tech Ninja Todd.

Session: Building a Powerful Classroom Culture

Travis Allen is a young visionary promoting technology and culture readiness within the learning environment. Before graduating from high school, Travis created a viral YouTube video on revolutionizing America’s education through the use of mobile technology. While in college, he started a company, iSchool Initiative, which focuses on empowering students with a voice. With the support of his team, Travis has presented in over 45 states and 11 countries, allowing him to reach an audience of over 300,000 people! He has been featured on CNN, Huffington Post and Forbes. In 2011, he was the winner of Google Young Minds competition; in 2012, he was invited to the White House for Education Datapalooza; and in 2015 he won the GA Young Entrepreneur of the Year. Travis is quickly becoming one of the most influential leaders of the emerging digital learning movement.

Session: SEL’s Role in the Workforce by 2030

Trish Keiller is a master trainer, coach, and speaker who works with educators and parents to empower them from the inside out. As an educator, certified health counselor, yoga and mindfulness instructor, and certified coach, Trish enthuses the integration of mind-body wellness through the integration of mindset management, mindful movement and yoga.

She’s most passionate about empowering schools with the successful adoption of the skills, behaviors, mindsets, and attitudes that empower them to thrive. She knows when we feel well, we do well!
Trish earned a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education, a Master’s in Educating Students with Learning Disabilities, and a Master’s in Educational Leadership & Administration. She’s also a graduate of Heartcore Leadership’s Transformational Leadership Program.

Session: Cultivating Cultures of Well-Being

Trish Keiller, M.S. Ed is a master trainer, coach, and speaker who works with educators and parents to empower them to cultivate well-being. Trish enthuses the integration of mind-body wellness through teaching essential skills of stress regulation, emotional regulation, and mindset management.

Session:  Magical Mindsets to Manage Crisis & Evoke JOY

Valarie Pearce is an author and an educator. She is committed to the elevation and empowerment of burgeoning leaders, through teaching social-emotional competencies. She earned her M.Ed. in curriculum development and oversees the creation of the Friendzy print and digital curriculum content, scope and sequence, and has oversight on the Friendzy Professional Development series. Valarie is an author of four children’s books and is currently working on a young adult fiction novel. As a leader Valarie believes in spreading a message of faith, hope, love, and transformation. More on her work can be found at https://www.friendzy.co/ and https://www.imarapublishing.com/

Session: Culturally Responsive Classrooms

Valerie M. Sargent is a highly regarded Emotional Intelligence Strategist. As a national speaker, trainer, consultant, and EQ executive coach, she takes teamwork, resilience, and communication to inspiring new levels. This expert delights in bringing vitality to all whom she encounters!

Session: Train Your Brain for EQ and Resilience During Change

Vera Thomas is a 14x bestselling author, an international speaker, certified transformational coach. She works with companies who want to transform their teams. The most valuable company asset is its human resources. Leadership defines and drives the attitudes and behaviors of their employees.

Session: The Reflection from Within

Walter Taylor, NBCT (National Board Certified Teacher) is the Director of Professional Development (PD) for the Chicago Teachers Union Foundation (CTUF) Quest Center and is responsible for the strategic planning, development, and implementation of professional learning opportunities for educators. Walter brings over 13 years of teaching science, language arts and special education in Chicago Public Schools (CPS), over 11 years of facilitating PD for public education teachers through the CTUF’s Quest Center and the Golden Apple Foundation (GAF) and over 24 years of curriculum development experience with CPS, CTUF and the GAF. Mr. Taylor is also a mentor for the GAF and a professor at National Louis University in their Education Department. In addition to designing and teaching curricula to pre-service teachers and classroom teachers for the GAF and the CTUF, Walter provides graduate-level PD to teachers. His signature PD offerings and programs include Restorative Practices, Differentiated Instruction, Questioning and Discussion Techniques, Cultural Competency, Culturally Responsive Pedagogy, Critical Race Theory, Classroom Management, Managing and Monitoring Student Learning, and Student Engagement. Mr. Taylor has done extensive work with restorative practices. He works with the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) and the AFT Congressional Black Caucus in many capacities (esp., restorative practices) which has led him to travel many places both domestically and internationally. Walter has done restorative practices PD in Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, New York, Baltimore, Indianapolis, Las Vegas, Trinidad and Tobago, and Mexico City – to name a few.

Session: Culturally Responsive Teaching: Understanding and Incorporating the New ISBE Culturally Responsive Teaching and Leading Standards and connection to EQ/SEL

Zack Blakeney is a Performance and Consciousness Coach who helps leaders and founders liberate self-imposed limitations to maximize their potential and profits. His unique blend of emotional intelligence with consciousness rapidly shifts limiting perceptions and alignment into peak performance.

Session: How to Turn Regret into Gratitude