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Innovative Teaching Strategies Conference New York-
Featured Speakers
Dr. John Almarode
John Almarode has worked with schools, classrooms and teachers all over the world. He has presented locally, nationally and internationally on the application of the science of learning and has worked with hundreds of school districts and thousands of teachers. Dr. Almarode is currently the Director of Teaching and Learning at the James Madison University School of Education. In 2015, John was awarded the inaugural Sarah Mill Luck Endowed Professorship. He continues to work with pre‑service teachers and actively pursues his research interests including the science of learning as well as the design and measurement of classroom environments that promote student engagement and learning. The work of John and his colleagues has been presented to the U.S. Congress, the Virginia Senate, the U.S. Department of Education and the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. Dr. Almarode began his career teaching mathematics and science to a wide range of students. He has authored or co-authored nine books including Captivate, Activate and Invigorate the Student Brain in Science and Math, From Snorkelers to Scuba Divers, Visible Learning for Science, Clarity for Learning, Teaching Mathematics in the Visible Learning Classroom and Teaching Mathematics in the Visible Learning Classroom. He is also the past co-editor of the Teacher Educator’s Journal. Most recently, John and his colleagues have developed a new framework for developing, implementing and sustaining professional learning communities: PLC+. The PLC+ framework builds capacity within teacher-led teams to maximize student learning.
Barbara Coloroso
Barbara Coloroso is a New York Times bestselling author and an internationally recognized speaker and consultant on social-emotional learning, teaching, discipline, school climate, bullying, nonviolent conflict resolution, restorative justice and parenting. She has appeared on Oprah, CBS, NBC, ABC, CNN and NPR and has been featured in Time, U.S. News & World Report, Newsweek and other national and international publications. Her uniquely effective teaching and parenting strategies were developed through her years of training in sociology, special education and philosophy, as well as field-tested through her experiences as a classroom teacher, laboratory school instructor, university instructor, seminar leader and mother of three grown children. She is the author of four international bestsellers: kids are worth it! Giving Your Child the Gift of Inner Discipline; Parenting Through Crisis: Helping Kids in Times of Loss, Grief and Change; The Bully, the Bullied and the Not-So-Innocent Bystander: Breaking The Cycle of Violence and Creating More Deeply Caring Communities; and Just Because It’s Not Wrong Doesn’t Make It Right: From Toddlers to Teens, Teaching Kids to Think and Act Ethically.
Dr. Tom Maglisceau
Tom Maglisceau is the proud Superintendent of the Celina Independent School District in the Dallas Metroplex. He served previously as a teacher, coach, principal and assistant superintendent in the Highland Park, Dallas and Rockwall districts in Texas. He earned his doctorate in Public Policy and Public Affairs after completing his research on social capital as it relates to family structure and childhood outcomes. Dr. Maglisceau continues his research in the areas of neuroplasticity of the adolescent brain, adverse childhood experiences and adolescence in the age of abundance for presentations in schools and conferences throughout Texas and across the nation. In addition to his work in public education, he serves as a Key Implementer and national professional developer for AVID. Dr. Maglisceau co-founded Together Texas, an organization dedicated to championing the “Better Together Mindset” in schools and communities.
Ernesto Mejia
Ernesto Mejia, M.Ed., the proud son of Mexican immigrants, is a true example of the American dream. Diagnosed with the rare disease of Guillain-Barré Syndrome at the Eage of 16 that left him temporarily paralyzed, he was not supposed to be a successful student, much less a College Dean of Students. Through his hardships, Ernesto learned to never give up on life, he now speaks to students, parents and teachers about overcoming obstacles and never giving up on the American dream: education.
Innovative Teaching Strategies Conference Atlanta-
Featured Speakers
Erin Gruwell
Erin Gruwell is a teacher, an education activist, and the founder of the Freedom Writers Foundation. She created the Freedom Writer Methods, a progressive teaching philosophy and curricula designed to achieve excellence from all students. She maintains a steadfast commitment to the future of education, and her impact as a change agent runs deep. By fostering an educational philosophy that values and promotes diversity, Gruwell transformed her students’ lives. She encouraged them to re-think rigid beliefs about themselves and others, reconsider daily decisions, and ultimately re-chart their futures. With Gruwell’s support, they chose to forego teenage pregnancy, drugs, and violence to become aspiring college students, published writers, and catalysts for change. They dubbed themselves the “Freedom Writers” - in homage to civil rights activists The Freedom Riders – and published a book. Inspired by Anne Frank and Zlata Filipovic (who lived through war-torn Sarajevo), Erin and her students captured their collective journey in The Freedom Writers Diary. Through poignant student entries and Erin’s narrative text, the book records their “eye-opening, spirit-raising odyssey against intolerance and misunderstanding.” In early 2007, Teach With Your Heart, Erin’s powerful memoir and call to arms was published. While Erin has been credited with giving her students a “second chance,” it was perhaps she who changed the most during her tenure at Wilson High School. She decided to channel her classroom experiences toward a broader cause, and today her impact as a teacher extends well beyond Room 203. Erin founded the Freedom Writers Foundation where she currently teaches teachers around the country how to implement her innovative lesson plans into their own classrooms. Recently, Erin’s teaching methods from her time in Room 203 have been published in the Freedom Writers Diary Teacher’s Guide. Proceeds from the sale of all books directly fund the Freedom Writers Foundation. Erin and her students have appeared on numerous television shows, including Oprah, Prime Time Live with Connie Chung, Barbara Walters’ The View, and Good Morning America, to name a few. Erin and the Freedom Writers have earned them dozens of awards including the prestigious Spirit of Anne Frank Award. Erin is a graduate of the University of California Irvine, where she received the Lauds and Laurels Distinguished Alumni Award. She earned her Master’s Degree and teaching credentials from California State University Long Beach, where she was honored as Distinguished Alumna by the School of Education.
"Stand Tall Steve" Bollar
Steve Bollar, aka “Stand Tall Steve” is an educational thought leader and master motivator. He works with forward-thinking organizations to generate new ideas, improve climate/culture and maximize leadership skills. His quick wit, experience, and in-depth knowledge make him an in-demand speaker. Steve has experienced first-hand the importance of a healthy school culture as teacher, principal and superintendent. He is a member of the Jostens Renaissance Hall of Fame and was named one of South Jersey’s Top 20 Men of the Year. Steve is the author of Ideas, Ideas, Ideas, which has helped schools throughout North America improve their culture.
Dr. Dave Schmittou
Dave Schmittou is a beach bum/educational pirate, an energetic speaker, and the author of Making Assessment Work, Bold Humility and It’s Like Riding a Bike. Dave is currently a professor of Educational Leadership at Central Michigan University, a former elementary and middle school principal, assistant principal, coach and teacher. He is the winner of the 2014 Michigan Administrator of the Year award and the 2018 College Educator of the Year award.
Dr. Tommie Mabry
Tommie Mabry grew up in poverty in Jackson, Mississippi. With no one to serve as a model for mainstream success, Tommie turned to life in the streets. He was expelled from numerous schools and by age 11, he was serving time for burglary. Things started to change for Tommie when he joined an AAU basketball team that traveled around world. Although he was shot in the foot during his senior year in high school, he received a full basketball scholarship to Missouri State University. After completing his undergraduate studies at Tougaloo College, he taught school in the same district where he had been expelled numerous times. Subsequently he has served as Director of Enrollment at Tougaloo College before founding the company that bears his name. He earned his Ph.D. from Jackson State University and has published two books, A Dark Journey to a Light Future and If Tommie Can Do It, We Can Do It.
Larry Thompson
"A recognized thought leader on supportive and non-exclusionary discipline practices, Larry Thompson, M.Ed., is often called upon to deliver keynote presentations for state and national education conferences because of his knowledge, humor and passion for assisting today’s students. He has helped thousands of educators and schools throughout North America break away from their traditional discipline models to a model that creates a responsible climate and responsible students. Larry has served in a wide variety of roles in education – from special education teacher to alternative and traditional high school principal. As creator of the Responsibility-Centered Discipline program, Larry understands that systems must be created that can be realistically implemented and sustained. He is the author of Give 'em Five (Elementary & Secondary) and Roadmap to Responsibility. "
Tracie Berry-McGhee
Tracie Berry-McGhee founded the SistaKeeper Empowerment Center in St. Louis 12 years ago with the mission of inspiring and developing the mind, body and spirit of young women. SistaKeeper has since spread to other locations within the United States and several other countries. Tracie also continues to serve the community via her private counseling practice, which specializes in women and teen girl issues. She is often called upon to speak on topics such as conflict resolution, delaying with low self-esteem and bullying. Tracie is the author of SistaKeeper Poetry for the Soul, I’m a Keeper and OWN your NOW.
Innovative Teaching Strategies Conference Las Vegas-
Featured Speakers
Gerry Brooks
Long before Gerry Brooks made YouTube videos, he was a regular, fun-loving, principal at an elementary school in Lexington, Kentucky. His educational experience includes six years in the classroom, two years as an intervention specialist, and 12 years as an administrator. Gerry is a passionate public speaker whose focus is on encouraging and helping teachers improve their instructional abilities via climate and culture strategies and helping administrators successfully lead their staff in a positive and constructive manner. His following of more than 500,000 people on social media has developed through humorous videos that focus on real-world educational experiences.
Dr. Michael Gurian
Michael Gurian is a marriage and family counselor in private practice and the New York Times bestselling author of 32 books published in 22 languages – including Boys and Girls Learn Differently, The Minds of Boys, The Wonder of Girls and Saving Our Sons. As a social philosopher, he has pioneered efforts to bring neuro-biology and brain research into homes, schools, corporations and public policy. The Gurian Institute, which he co-founded, conducts research, launches pilot programs, and trains professionals throughout the world. One of the world’s foremost gender experts, Michael travels extensively to provide keynotes and consulting. His engaging and presentation style, along with the use of case studies, visual aids such as PET and SPECT scans, and interactive demonstrations help audiences better understand the needs of both sexes and all genders, and most effectively work with children and adults from birth through adulthood. Michael has spoken for the United Nations on violence against women; provided information on boys’ and girls’ educational needs to the White House; and briefed members of Congress on the boy crisis in America.
Jessica Sinarski
Jessica Sinarski, LPCMH is a clinical supervisor, consultant, author and educator, who is a thought leader in connecting neuroscience with practice in adult-child relationships. Jessica has trained thousands of parents and professionals across the country and maintains a private practice in Delaware, incorporating neurofeedback and attachment-based therapeutic models. Jessica founded BraveBrains to help others experience the hope and healing that is possible with a deeper understanding of the brain. She has created a framework, based on the concepts introduced in her children’s book, Riley the Brave, that is improving outcomes for those affected by adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and trauma. These principles and accompanying resources, rooted in the latest brain science, are empowering parents, teachers and community professionals all over the world. Jessica is a therapist and clinical supervisor at A Better Chance for Our Children in Delaware and serves on the board of directors at Cardinal McCloskey Community Services in New York. She is currently partnering with school districts and child welfare agencies across the country to better incorporate trauma-sensitive practices into their work. Compelled by her work with foster families in the South Bronx, Jessica became a Certified Adoption Therapist and founded an adoption therapy program at her local agency.
Innovative Teaching Strategies Conference San Antonio-
Featured Speakers
San Antonio 2022 speaker information coming soon.
Innovative Teaching Strategies Conference 2 Great Locations
Orlando
March 26-29, 2020
5 Conferences for the Price of 1!
School Climate & Culture Forum
Boy Brains & Engagement Conference
School Discipline Conference
Innovative Teaching Strategies Conference
Counseling Strategies & Resources Conference
School Climate & Culture Forum
Boy Brains & Engagement Conference
School Discipline Conference
Innovative Teaching Strategies Conference
Counseling Strategies & Resources Conference
March 26-29
Las Vegas
July 6-10, 2020
6 Conferences for the Price of 1!
School Climate & Culture Forum
School Discipline Conference
Innovative Teaching Strategies Conference
Wired Differently Conference
Boy Brains & Engagement Conference
NextGen School Safety Conference
School Climate & Culture Forum
School Discipline Conference
Innovative Teaching Strategies Conference
Wired Differently Conference
Boy Brains & Engagement Conference
NextGen School Safety Conference
July 6-10