Dr. Felicia Burkhalter is the Director of Secondary Schools Student Achievement in Virginia, where she leads division-wide efforts to strengthen instruction, discipline systems, and student outcomes. With more than a decade of leadership experience as a teacher, principal, chief academic officer, and interim superintendent, she is passionate about building leadership capacity and creating equitable opportunities for all students. Dr. Burkhalter holds a doctoral
degree in educational leadership and is committed to developing systems that empower both educators and learners. Outside of her professional work, she is passionate about faith, enjoys mentoring others to lead with purpose, traveling, and promoting kindness initiatives in her community.

Dr. Kimberly Honnick is a Senior Education Consultant, Leadership Coach, and Speaker, and the Founder of Bo Knowz Learning, LLC. With more than 30 years of experience across K–12 public school systems, Head Start programs, and higher education, she partners with education organizations to strengthen leadership, culture, and professional learning. Her work focuses on Social-Emotional Learning (SEL), leadership development, and people-centered systems change. Dr. Honnick is the author of The Heartbeat Educator and a nationally recognized leader in education.

Dr. Cortez is an educator with over 35 years of experience, a secondary teacher, an administrator, and a national consultant, before joining Pacific Oaks as a professor in the MA Multiple Subjects Credential program. Dr. Cortez has presented nationally and internationally on diversity, equity, inclusion, and anti-bias, as well as on student motivation, purposeful instruction, classroom management, and effective instructional practices. Dr. Cortez has trained secondary and elementary school administrators in managing organizational change and has coached teachers and instructional leaders as they implement instructional strategies to raise student achievement among struggling students

From working-class beginnings, Al Levie was a structural steel worker, machinist, and union and community organizer, who decided later in life to pursue a career in teaching. He graduated from UWM’s school of education with honors. Al worked days at the Milwaukee House of Correction, helping inmates earn their GED. His work in the House of Corrections affirmed his belief that the criminal justice system was unjust and reinforced his desire to work towards systemic change in America.
For the last two decades, Al worked as a Social Studies, teacher and served as union building president, wrestling coach, and student club advisor at Horlick High School in Racine, Wisconsin. Al was the founder of Youth Empowered in the Struggle, a leading force with Voces de La Frontera, the premier immigrant reform organization based in Wisconsin. His book, Thriving in a Public School, chronicles the story and impact of his work empowering Horlick's students, teachers, and the greater community.

Ms. Molly Nilssen grew up in the city of Milwaukee. She is a proud graduate of Milwaukee Public Schools and the University of Wisconsin-Madison, School of Education, the state-wide leader of the education preparation programs at the time.  She taught kindergarten right out of college, and then taught 1st grade. She was employed at three schools in a variety of communities before landing "at home", Milwaukee College Prep, 38th St. School Campus in the heart of the city.  She has extensive teaching experience in K-8th grade, including a wide range of content areas.  However, her heart and passion are in teaching SEL and Wellness, which is what she has taught for the last four years. Today, she is in the classroom and will continue to do so for many years to come.  Her passion will continue to make a big impact on her students as they gain an education, including critical life skills.