Improving student outcomes is AJ Crabill’s relentless focus. He currently serves as the Conservator at DeSoto, Texas, Independent School District. During his guidance, DeSoto made double digit literacy gains and improved from having F ratings in areas of academics, finance, and governance to the district earning B ratings. He’s also Faculty at the Leadership Institution of Nevada; Collaborator with the Effective School Boards Initiative; and National Director of Governance at the Council of the Great City Schools in Washington, DC.

He served as Deputy Commissioner at the Texas Education Agency, and he spearheaded reforms as board chair of Kansas City (MO) Public Schools that doubled the percentage of students who are literate and numerate and eventually led KCPS to full accreditation for the first time in decades. Crabill received the Education Commission of the State's James Bryant Conant Award, which recognizes extraordinary individual contributions to education.

Barb Southwick is the founder of Spectrum Education, Inc., a nonprofit virtual school dedicated to supporting students with disabilities through flexible, inclusive, and student-centered learning environments. With a background as both a parent advocate and special education teacher, Barb has spent her career reimagining what education can look like for students with ADHD, autism, anxiety, and other diverse needs. Her work blends compassion, innovation, and evidence-based practice to empower students who often struggle in traditional classrooms to thrive academically and socially in virtual settings. Barb’s mission is to make personalized learning accessible for all learners, regardless of ability or background.

Beth Donofrio is a veteran high school English teacher, author, and literacy advocate with over two decades of experience empowering adolescents through reading and writing. Trained at Harvard in working with children and teens at risk, Beth specializes in helping students reconnect with literature in meaningful, personal ways. Her work bridges research and practice, using data-informed strategies and student voice to reignite a love of reading in the digital age. Passionate about literacy equity and youth empowerment, Beth creates classroom environments where books become tools for self-discovery, critical thinking, and joy.

Brad Wages is a seasoned actor, dedicated educator, and passionate advocate for the transformative power of theater in education. With decades of experience both on stage and in the classroom, Brad brings a dynamic, student-centered approach to teaching that blends performance with pedagogy. His work emphasizes how theater can build student confidence, enhance classroom engagement, and foster a sense of belonging—particularly for students who may struggle to find their voice in traditional academic settings.

As a theater director and high school educator, Brad has mentored countless students, empowering them to step into roles both literal and figurative. He believes in the unique ability of the arts to create safe, expressive spaces where young people can explore identity, process emotions, and build critical life skills such as collaboration, empathy, and resilience.

Chris Hull, co-founder and President of Otus, an education technology company providing schools with comprehensive solutions for assessments, data management, and insights into student performance. His journey from the classroom to founding Otus has been driven by a passion for education and a desire to make a meaningful impact. He believes every student deserves the opportunity to succeed, and that begins with equipping educators with the right tools. Through Otus, he strives to create an environment where data is not just collected but transformed into actionable insights that foster growth and achievement.

Cindy Lawrence is the Executive Director and CEO of the National Museum of Mathematics, also known as MoMath. Cindy's journey to leading MoMath is as dynamic as the exhibits she oversees. She began her career as a CPA that transitioned into education. Under her leadership, MoMath has become a beacon of interactive math education, attracting over a million visitors and influencing audiences around the world. She strives to change public perceptions of mathematics and to improve and diversify mathematics education. 

Dr. Nagrath helps students overcome mathematics anxiety.  Aditya is the creator and founder of Elephant Learning Mathematics Academy which helps students learn years of mathematics over the course of a few months using their system just 10 minutes per day, 3 days per week.

With a PhD in Mathematics & Computer Sciences, Dr. Nagrath has spent over 30 years in industry as a software engineer, author, leader, speaker, and serial entrepreneur working on everything from atomic clocks to iOS and Android apps to Amazon’s Kindle Fire. 

Now with Elephant Learning, Dr. Nagrath has taught nearly 200,000 years of mathematics to over 160,000 students around the world, and is on a mission to change the way the world teaches mathematics.

Andrea Kantrowitz, an artist and educator, has lectured and led workshops on art and cognition internationally, and has twice served as a Singapore Ministry of Education Outstanding Educator in Residence. She was a teaching artist in the New York City public schools for many years, involved in multiple local and national research projects that demonstrated the positive academic impact of an integrated art curriculum for students growing up in poverty. As a director of the Thinking through Drawing Project, she co-organized 10 years of international drawing and cognition research symposia and workshops, in collaboration with colleagues from around the world. She holds a doctorate in Art Education and Cognitive Studies from Columbia University Teachers College, an MFA in Painting from Yale, a BA in Art and Cognition from Harvard and is an Associate Professor and Director of the Art Education Program at the State University of New York at New Paltz. 

Anna Housley Juster, PhD, LICSW is a licensed child and adolescent mental health clinician, education consultant, and award-winning author with over twenty-five years of experience supporting children and families.

Today, after several years treating children and families at an outpatient community-based mental health center, Dr. Housley Juster runs a private practice combining expertise in mental health, developmental psychology, education, and play and supports teacher trainings focused on trauma-informed practices and increasing self-regulation skills in the classroom. Her first picture book, the award-winning How to Train Your Amygdala (Free Spirit Publishing) was released in February, 2024.

Dr. Carla Sparks is a nationally recognized educator, professor, and mentor specializing in the development of heart-centered, research-driven school leaders. As Program Director of Educational Leadership at National Louis University, she blends systems thinking, emotional intelligence, and neuroscience to prepare future principals and district leaders for success. Dr. Sparks’ groundbreaking work in single-gender public schooling and her commitment to equity, excellence, and human-centered leadership have made her a trusted voice in shaping the next generation of educational changemakers. Her influence extends beyond the classroom, leaving a lasting impact on the students, schools, and communities her graduates serve.

I am Christie McMullen, CEO of AIM and author of Learning Can Stick: A Guide to Make Every Learning Interaction Safe, Logical, Fun, and Memorable. In the last 24 years, I’ve trained thousands of people and built an efficient structure for interacting in the workspace. 

My mission is to make work fun, so people don't quit! People quit things that aren't fun. 

Fun means people...
 ~feel valued and appreciated
 ~have a voice and are aloud to use it
 ~leverage their talents to contribute to the greater good

I create fun by analyzing the psychological safety of a company and creating solutions to improve team interactions. My team and I can customize our services to meet your specific needs and help your business become more efficient and effective.

If you need help: Feel free to Schedule A Consultation: https://calendly.com/aimwithus/30min?month=2023-03 

One of the most enjoyable parts of being a teacher in online education is meeting and connecting with students from different parts of the country and world and helping them achieve their academic goals. I've recommended many students who have received scholarships and won competitive internships, one with an international security affairs NGO, for instance, while others have been admitted into graduate programs such as ASU, UMass, and UConn. 
Key Accomplishments:
✔ Facilitated or taught 150+ courses (bachelor's through doctoral levels) in face-to-face and online settings for diverse populations.
✔ Mentored 11 graduate and doctoral students, served as a dissertation committee member and content reader/subject matter expert, and supervised 10 master’s capstone projects.
✔ Designed and delivered 10+ online courses in various learning management systems (Canvas and Blackboard, for example) and managed curriculum development initiatives at several schools.

Dr. Emily Affolter is the director and faculty for Prescott College’s Sustainability Education Ph.D. Program. Prior to this role, she worked as a Senior Research Scientist and Equity Consultant at the University of Washington’s Center for Evaluation & Research for STEM Equity. She earned a Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction focused on Multicultural Education from the UW working alongside Dr. Geneva Gay, founder of culturally responsive teaching. Emily’s current scholarship, dissemination, and facilitation highlight culturally responsive and sustaining pedagogies for teachers, faculty, and leaders in K-16 settings and STEM higher education utilizing an equity literacy frame. 

I am a proud educator, education researcher, and leader. I am thrilled to join the team at Music Workshop where I can focus on issues of equity throughout our programming, while I help build a professional development series for teachers, and manage the organizations projects as we build onto our current programming.

Dr. Hyacinth Dyer is an educator, researcher, and advocate committed to advancing equity in K–12 education. With a doctorate focused on culturally relevant teaching practices, Dr. Dyer’s work explores the systemic barriers that Black girls face in schools and provides actionable strategies for closing opportunity gaps. Her study, Education and the Black Girl, sheds light on the disparities between teacher perceptions and student experiences, offering a roadmap for creating more inclusive, empowering learning environments. Driven by a passion for social justice and educational transformation, Dr. Dyer continues to inspire educators to listen, learn, and lead with equity at the forefront.

Dr. Livia Pailer-Duller is an international leader in the field of learning differences, serving as CEO of the American Dyslexia Association and co-founder of Learnedy. Building on the pioneering work of her mother, a renowned expert in sensory processing and dyslexia intervention, Dr. Pailer-Duller has expanded access to evidence-based testing, resources, and multisensory support programs for students with dyslexia and dyscalculia worldwide. Her work empowers educators, families, and communities to better understand and support neurodiverse learners, helping students strengthen their academic skills, self-confidence, and lifelong success. Based in Austria, Dr. Pailer-Duller continues to advocate for global equity in educational diagnostics and support services.

Dr. Michael Grahame Moore is widely recognized as the founding theorist of distance education and one of the most influential educational thinkers of the modern era. Best known for his groundbreaking Theory of Transactional Distance (1972), Dr. Moore established a formal theoretical framework for teaching and learning across distance—emphasizing the dynamic interplay between dialogue, structure, and learner autonomy. A professor emeritus at Penn State University, he served as editor of The American Journal of Distance Education and has been honored internationally for his leadership in online education research and policy. Dr. Moore’s work has shaped the field for over five decades, providing essential foundations for the global evolution of distance and online learning. His contributions continue to guide educators, researchers, and institutions worldwide in the design of accessible, theory-driven educational experiences.

Dr Robin Koslowitz is a nationally recognized clinical psychologist and expert in childhood trauma and resilience. Dr Koslowitz has been a licensed school psychologist since 2002 and a licensed clinical psychologist since 2017. She holds a master's degree in school psychology and a PhD in school clinical child psychology from New York University. In addition to her clinical work, dr Koslowitz is a parenting educator and the host of the Post-Traumatic Parenting Podcast. She brings a wealth of experience from her previous roles as a third and fourth grade teacher. Robin joins us today to share her invaluable insights, personal journey and to discuss her forthcoming book, post-traumatic Parenting.

Stephanie Milling is the Head of Dance Education at the University of South Carolina, as well as the Chair of the Department of Theatre and Dance. After performing in the early stages of her dance career, Dr. Milling has taught in a wide variety of artistic and educational environments, including company classes for Dallas Black Dance Theatre I and II, several public schools within the New York City Department of Education, Texas Christian University, Texas Woman’s University, and the University of North Texas. She also served in the capacity of Assistant Dean for the College of Visual and Performing Arts at Winthrop University prior to her appointment at the University of South Carolina.

Dr. Tracy Packiam Alloway is an award-winning psychologist whose research on working memory has transformed our understanding of learning and brain function. As a professor at the University of North Florida, she developed the world's first working memory test for educators and authored 15 books and over 100 scientific articles. Her research shows working memory at age five better predicts academic success than IQ. Through her SEN Superpowers children's book series, she highlights the cognitive strengths of children with ADHD, autism, and dyslexia, reframing these differences as potential advantages. Dr. Alloway's expertise has been featured on Good Morning America, the Today Show, and various major media outlets. She received the Joseph Lister Award for outstanding science communication and continues to bridge research and practical applications for educators, parents, and clinicians.

Eric Franzen founded an innovative dual language immersion program transforming bilingual education. With twenty years in educational leadership, he creates environments where diverse students develop multilingual fluency while excelling academically.

His balanced approach serves both English learners and native speakers equitably, emphasizing language acquisition, academic excellence, and cultural competency.

With degrees in Education and Language Acquisition, Eric's methodology produces remarkable results—students show enhanced cognitive flexibility and bilingual proficiency.

He consults with districts nationwide on implementing sustainable bilingual programs, challenging conventional thinking about language learning while preparing students for our multilingual world.

As the leader of FSC Wealth Advisors, my efforts are focused on helping shape the vision for the future of our firm. I specialize in modern financial planning, championing a holistic approach that integrates investments, taxes, estate planning, and protection strategies. 

My greatest passion is helping others become the best possible version of themselves. I've made it a priority to contribute to financial literacy for young women, something that came from my life’s experience. As a financial planner and father of three daughters, I've seen firsthand how many women feel underprepared or lack confidence when it comes to handling their personal finances. Working with women specifically, no matter what stage of life they are in, has been one of the most fulfilling aspects of my work. Empowering women gives me a sense of purpose that extends beyond day-to-day business. 

jcomblo@fscwealthadvisors.com

Jerry Kolber is the co-creator and host of the world’s most popular 3x weekly kids educational podcast Who Smarted?, which had over 15 million downloads in its first three years. He's passionate about merging education with entertainment.

Jerry is also the co-creator and Showrunner of National Geographic’s #1 series, Brain Games, for which he received a Prime Time Emmy Nomination. Kolber and Atomic are frequent collaborators with icon Pharrell Williams, having created and produced Brainchild (Netflix) with Pharrell, as well as two upcoming documentaries.

Kolber began his career in television working for E!, fuse, Bravo, Disney/ABC, National Geographic, Discovery ID, MTV, Animal Planet, and multiple A&E series as an in-demand Co-EP,  Showrunner, and writer of unscripted entertainment. 

JoAnn Tomer is a licensed therapist, educator, and certified equine-assisted mental health practitioner with over 30 years of experience supporting children and families. A former teacher and school counselor in Sarasota County, JoAnn now leads therapeutic programs that integrate horses into healing and growth for students with ADHD, anxiety, depression, and behavioral challenges. Her work is rooted in trauma-informed practice and neurodevelopmental research, offering holistic, movement-based interventions that foster self-regulation, emotional awareness, and confidence. Through her unique approach, JoAnn bridges the power of nature, connection, and compassionate care to transform lives—both inside and outside the classroom.

Mr. L graduated from Manhattan Christian College with a BS in Pastoral Ministry, in 2001. He owned and operated a landscape/maintenance company, with 30 plus employees, for 7 years in Colorado Springs, CO. In 2007, he began teaching 5th grade, and in 2010 he and his family moved to Sarasota, FL. While teaching 5th grade in Sarasota, Mr. L received his Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership/Administration from the University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee. Mr. L and his wife, Harmony, founded The Classical Academy of Sarasota with the aim of bringing an excellent classical education to families in Sarasota. Mr. L and Miss Harmony have been married for 20 incredible years and have 7 amazing children: Addison, Aubrey, Gavin, Kyan, Trey, Sophia, and Kai Tucker.

Julie Kelsheimer is a college admissions advisor at Great Minds Advising who helps students navigate the increasingly competitive college application process. She specializes in identifying students' unique "narratives" and crafting strategic application approaches that highlight their distinctive strengths. Julie's expertise includes early planning, comprehensive application support, and helping students stand out in a crowded applicant pool. Her advisees have been accepted to selective institutions at rates significantly above national averages and have received substantial scholarship funding. Julie believes successful college preparation must begin early, with strategic course selection, meaningful extracurricular involvement, and authentic personal development.

Katherine Hamilton is the Senior Vice President of Programs at Ensemble Learning. Katherine brings a wealth of experience in promoting equity and excellence for multilingual learners. She also serves as a charter board chair, collaborating with educational leaders and teachers to enhance achievement in mathematics and beyond. She has a Master’s degree in Education from Stanford University and a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from Yale University. 

I have 20 years of successes and lessons learned designing, building, and launching enterprise technology solutions. I am passionate about experiences that connect individuals more deeply with the world around them, and am dedicated to finding solutions that extend access to high quality education for everyone. My experience working with both startups and established corporations, has provided me perspective on building and leading teams, motivating and engaging employees, and navigating the fields of education and technology.

Kevin Dahill-Fuchel is a pioneering force in school-based mental health counseling as Executive Director of Counseling In Schools (CIS), a non-profit that embeds mental health counselors throughout New York City's school system. Under his leadership, CIS has grown to place over 200 mental health professionals in more than 70 schools and community centers, reaching over 10,000 individuals. The impact of this work speaks for itself, with CIS schools seeing a remarkable 20-day increase in student attendance and achieving a 95% on-time graduation rate for eligible seniors. Kevin's insights from working in America's largest and most diverse school district offer us a unique window into both the challenges and possibilities in school-based mental health support.

I am a licensed architect and bring a swiss army knife skillset in educational planning, design, construction, project management and firm leadership experience with over 29 years of professional architectural practice and expertise, with a focus on educational and community projects, Pre-K through Higher Education. 

I specialize in providing innovative, sustainably responsible, high performance and integrated educational environments that both elevate and enhance user engagement and experience while maximizing efficiency. 

Matt Bardin is an adolescent-literacy expert, author, and founder of Zinc Learning Labs, an innovative platform dedicated to helping middle and high school students develop reading confidence and comprehension skills. A former classroom teacher and tutor, Matt is the author of Zen and the Art of the SAT and a leading voice in reshaping how we approach adolescent literacy. His work emphasizes conscious reading, vocabulary instruction, and high-interest content as tools to close comprehension gaps and combat information inequality. Matt is passionate about equity in education and equipping all students—regardless of background—with the skills they need to thrive as readers and thinkers.

Hi, I’m Melissa Taylor, a mom of two, an education blogger & writer, a children’s book expert, a former award-winning bilingual teacher with an M.A. in Education, a former literacy trainer, and a passionate advocate for literacy, representation in children’s literature, and high-quality education.

I freelance write for various clients such as Random House, Adobe Education, eBay, ALEX Toys, Imagine Toys, Scholastic Parent and Child, Babble, Sylvan Learning, Parenting Magazine, and others about education topics and children’s books.

Imagination Soup is a place where parents, grandparents, librarians, and teachers can find great children’s books as well as educational learning ideas, resources, and community. My goal is to make your life easier. Let me know how else I can help!

Natalie Wexler is an education journalist, speaker, and the author of The Knowledge Gap: The Hidden Cause of America’s Broken Education System—and How to Fix It. A leading voice in education reform, Natalie focuses on the intersection of cognitive science and curriculum design, advocating for knowledge-rich instruction as a key to closing reading and achievement gaps. Her work with the Knowledge Matters Campaign and contributions to outlets like Forbes and The Atlantic have helped shift the national conversation around literacy from isolated skills to meaningful content. Passionate about equity and evidence-based practice, Natalie champions solutions that empower both students and educators.

At The Young Music Company, we believe that early childhood is a magical time, full of wonder and potential. Our mission is to bring joy to the lives of children, teachers, and parents through dynamic, interactive music and movement experiences. We are dedicated to fostering healthy development in every child, nurturing their social and emotional growth, enhancing their language and cognitive skills, and supporting their physical health. Our unique approach ensures that each child thrives joyfully and creatively, building a strong foundation for lifelong learning and well-being. With a focus on collaboration and engagement, we empower educators and parents to create environments where every child can express themselves fully, explore their world, and grow into their best selves.

Nicola Soares is the President of Kelly Education, where she has significantly reshaped the landscape of education staffing in the U.S. Under her leadership, Kelly Education, a trusted source of academic talent for more than 25 years, expanded its services beyond substitute teaching to address a broader spectrum of educational needs. Her dedicated efforts have garnered recognition within the industry, highlighting her role in preparing a capable and adaptive workforce for the evolving educational sector.

Nicola started her career as a public school social studies teacher before holding multiple leadership positions at McGraw-Hill Education and NBC Universal, where she was instrumentally involved in the creation of the education initiative NBC Learn.

Olivier Bernier is an award-winning director and documentary filmmaker who lives and breathes to tell stories that explore the human condition. When Olivier and his wife Hilda's son was born with down syndrome they were entirely unprepared.

Pam Burke is a certified Martha Beck Wayfinder Life Coach and former high school counselor who specializes in helping adolescents and young adults navigate major life transitions. With a background in education, counseling, and career development, Pam founded Pam Burke Coaching to support high schoolers and college students as they move from academic preparation to real-world readiness. She helps students build confidence, emotional resilience, and personal direction through strengths-based, future-focused coaching. Pam is passionate about empowering young people to find clarity, manage change, and succeed in both school and life—on their own terms.

I believe that every day, in every classroom, every learner should be appropriately challenged and supported. 
As a teacher, I developed an instructional model that met each of my students' diverse learning needs. I recorded my own instructional videos, and spent class time working one-on-one and in small groups with my students. I gave my students the time they needed to achieve real mastery, and held them to it. 
Today, alongside my former teaching colleague Kareem Farah, I lead the Modern Classrooms Project in empowering educators around the world. Through our online courses and community, we can help any educator, anywhere, respond to their own learners' needs. Together, we're leading a movement of educators in fostering human connection, authentic learning, and social-emotional growth.

Sam is the co-founder of Loper, a free mobile app designed to help students explore and discover their best educational opportunities after high school. The inspiration for Loper came out of the pandemic, where “life on pause” led to two college friends (Sam and his co-founder Eric) spending long nights discussing their shared passion: education. Fast forward two years and they quit their jobs to launch Loper, which has now helped nearly 200,000 students find best-fit opportunities after high school.

Since founding Loper Sam has spoken at nearly a dozen industry conferences, and he always loves the opportunity to present to both students and parents on college and career readiness.

If you have questions about Loper or are interested in either a virtual or live presentation to your students, you can reach him at sam@getloper.com.