Alissa is passionate about actively engaging science teachers in meaningful, inquiry-based experiences they can implement in their own classrooms. Drawing on her wealth of NGSS knowledge, she shares strategies that are grounded in best practices and actually work. Alissa challenges teachers, from beginners to the experienced, and offers them practical supports and concrete examples to transform their instruction and enhance student learning.

Recognized nationally, Craig has traveled extensively to deliver presentations and workshops based on his foundational work helping educators overcome cultural poverty and apathetic students. Craig’s story is about determination and personal accountability. It’s about a young man who refused to accept his current situation. He has literally pulled himself up by the bootstraps, reinventing his life while empowering hundreds of thousands of educators and other professionals around the world with his simple message…change is possible. Although Craig has risen to high levels of success as an acclaimed author and professional speaker, it’s his down-to-earth personality that moves, touches, and inspires his audiences.

Kim has been a middle level teacher for 16 years. Currently, she is a mentor teacher for new teachers in her school district and a geography teacher. She is co-author of SOAR: A Handbook for Closing the Achievement Gap, a guide for replicating the success of her revolutionary after-school program for underserved students. She is author of the book, If You Can't Manage Them, You Can't Teach Them.

Zandra started her career teaching high school mathematics and today is a mathematics teacher educator and researcher focused on understanding practical strategies to make math more meaningful for teachers and students. She is the author of numerous mathematics education publications, the creator of the Mathematically Educated blog, and the co-creator of the Two-Minute Teacher’s Guide.

Donyall is a nationally recognized authority on curriculum, instruction, organizational development, and administration of schools. Unparalleled levels of student achievement and school improvement distinguish his 20-year career as an educational leader. Donyall has served students and families as a teacher, assistant principal, principal, regional superintendent, chief academic officer, and chief schools officer. He has published 35 core content textbooks and professional books on school improvement. Currently, he is Chief Executive Officer of Educational Epiphany, a professional development and publishing company that he founded in 2008. In this role, he supports school boards, superintendents, academic officers, school leaders, and teachers in more than two dozen states.

Lori is an energetic and passionate National Board Certified teacher (former) and trainer. She has taught students of various grade levels and has served as a district literacy coordinator and technology integration specialist. She is the author of the Teach Like a Techie series of books and Project-Based Learning for Real Kids and Real Teachers.

For more than 10 years, Graham has been a classroom teacher and math coach, and currently is a district math specialist. His passion for conceptual understanding through problem-based lessons has led him to present internationally and throughout the United States. He is the author of many elementary 3-act tasks, which can be found at gfletchy.com. It’s in this space and beyond that Graham continues to be an advocate for best practice and a change agent for K-5 mathematics.

Matt is a proud product of Philadelphia’s public schools and a founding teacher at Science Leadership Academy (SLA). There, he teaches an innovative inquiry-driven, project-based curriculum. He also is the Founder and Executive Director of Philly Slam League (PSL), a non-profit organization that shows young people the power of their voices through weekly spoken word competitions. The PSL is the only season-long, school-based slam poetry league in the United States. He is the author of Not Light, But Fire: How to Lead Meaningful Race Conversations in the Classrooms.

Brian has extensive experience working with challenging students in general ed, self-contained, and inclusion settings. He provides staff development training for K–12 educators throughout the world that focuses on how to be successful with even the most difficult students. Brian is the author of Watch Your Mouth, Non-Negotiables for Success with Your Toughest Kids and That One Kid. He is co-author of Turning Tough Parents into Strong Partners, Strategies for Successful Classroom Management, Power Struggles, 2nd Edition, and the best-seller Discipline With Dignity, 4th Edition.

Pat is an exciting classroom innovator and speaker with more than 39 years of experience as a teacher and national education consultant. She is the author of over 12 professional books, including Reading Standards for Literature, available in three volumes: K, 1, and 2.

LaVonna is the creator and founder of Ignite Your S.H.I.N.E.® and CEO of Brain-Powered, LLC. She is the author of eight books on brain research and engaging instruction. Brain research is at the heart of all she does. She has provided professional development for educators in the United States, Canada, Europe, South America, and the Middle East. As an elementary and secondary teacher, keynote speaker, author, and consultant, LaVonna focuses on effectively serving students through the lens of brain research, social-emotional needs, and the whole child.

A former first-grade teacher, Tim has served as director of reading for Chicago Public Schools, president of the International Literacy Association, and Advisory Board member of the National Institute for Literacy. He was inducted into the Reading Hall of Fame. A prolific author, his newest book is Teaching with the Common Core Standards for the English Language Arts. His article, “The Common Core Ate My Baby," received the Distinguished Achievement Award for Learned Article from the Association of Educational Publications in 2013.

Catlin is a blended learning coach, Google Certified Innovator, and international trainer. She is the author of numerous books, including her newest, Balance With Blended Learning: Partner With Your Students to Reimagine Learning and Reclaim Your Life, as well as the best-selling Blended Learning in Grades 4–12 and Blended Learning In Action. Caitlin also is the author of an internationally ranked education blog.

Diana Wehrell-Grabowski, Ph.D. has been involved in academia for over 35 years as a science teacher, Adjunct Professor, and owner of a science education consulting company. Diana conducts Science, STEM, (NGSS), MakerEd professional staff development, and Family STEM workshops for educational institutions, and organizations throughout the world. She is passionate about hands-on-minds-on inquiry-based teaching and learning, STEM, and transforming teaching and learning for 21st-century learners.

Sam has taught for more than 15 years and has served as a literacy coach and as a teacher trainer. He developed curriculum for an international social skills program and was a professional development writer and trainer. Sam is the author of four books, Sharing, I'm the Boss, Are You a Bully?, and It's My Turn.