Kim is an early childhood education and at-risk expert, popular author, and award-winning kindergarten teacher with 28 years of classroom experience. She passionately encourages educators to tap into the curiosity of young children to plant the seed for lifelong learning. Kim’s latest books are Jazzing Up Journals and Book Making Bonanza.

Debbie is a literacy interventionist, trainer, mentor and National Board Certified Teacher. She believes that all children can learn and that they learn best in a positive, caring, creative, and engaging environment. Debbie realizes that the best teachers are those who are strongest at “noticing” and using what they notice to support their students on their learning journeys.

Amanda is a practicing kindergarten teacher, lively presenter, and passionate promoter of classroom technology. She is full of ideas for helping teachers use technology to engage students and support learning. In 2009, Amanda was awarded the prestigious Keystone Technology Integrator Award.

Tere has practiced occupational therapy in pediatrics and psychiatry for nearly 30 years. She works with schools and through her own private practice to deliver workshops for parents and educators focused on wellness and prevention for children. She created the Drive Thru Menus, an exercise poster system for elementary classrooms.

Julie is a successful teacher, mentor, and university adjunct teacher who specializes in classroom management best practices and structure. Her energy, creativity, and passion for teaching are infectious, and have earned her well-deserved accolades.

Heidi is a nationally recognized presenter with over 25 years of teaching experience, primarily in the kindergarten classroom. Specializing in brain research, she packs her sessions with practical and engaging techniques for diverse populations. Heidi has created 13 CDs and DVDs for teachers as well as books and other resources.

Cheryl is an energetic and inspirational educator and motivational trainer. A highly sought-after presenter, she has worked with teachers at professional development conferences and seminars in over 30 states. Cheryl brings 17 years of classroom experience and a toolkit full of research-based best practices to every session. She demonstrates how to differentiate instruction to meet the needs of each learner in the classroom with practical, brain-compatible, research-driven ideas that can easily be implemented the very next day.

Compelling, provocative, and inspiring, Rick is an award-winning, 25-year classroom teacher, world-recognized consultant, and former instructional coach, school administrator, and university professor. A well-known speaker at conferences nationwide, he is the author of Building Character & Community in the Classroom.

Patricia is an exemplary teacher, past president of the International Reading Association, and widely published author of many books and two nationally acclaimed family literacy programs. She is an expert in Response to Intervention, assessment, and literacy, and connects research to practical ideas for classroom teachers.

When it comes to educational presenters, Lori Elliott is the total package. As a National Board Certified classroom teacher and trainer and one of SDE’s most-requested presenters, she is contagiously passionate about teaching with technology. Her dynamic sessions are enriched by her hands-on experience with integrated curriculum, technology, and brain-based learning. Lori is the author of the popular classroom-technology guide, Teach Like a Techie.

Enrique is the founder and Director of Education of the F.A.M.E. Foundation. He is a Redleaf Author (Living Like a Child) and a two-time Grammy-nominated composer and artist. Enrique presents nationally, focusing on the use of research-based artistic and holistic techniques to help children develop critical-thinking skills and creativity.

Jim has emerged as the nation’s Spokesperson for School Success. An internationally renowned educator and popular speaker, he offers practical instructional strategies to help all students learn. Jim is the author of many popular professional books, including the bestselling, Differentiated Instruction: Different Strategies for Different Learners and Differentiating Textbooks and Death of Common Sense in Our Schools And What YOU Can Do About It!

Jack is a published author and nationally renowned children’s songwriter and musician. Each year, Jack captivates tens of thousands of parents, teachers, and children with his unique workshops, keynotes, and concerts. He has hosted the award winning children’s cable TV program, Kid’s Place, and is the founder and president of Hop2It Music™ and Press.

Betty is a veteran educator with more than 24 years of exemplary teaching experience. Betty’s high energy, humor, and keen insights have made her a very popular presenter at many state, national, and international conferences. She is a former Teacher of the Year and has enthusiastically shared her strategies with fellow educators since 1982. Betty is also the coauthor of the bestselling books Differentiated Instruction: Different Strategies for Different Learners, Differentiating Textbooks, and 6 Ways to Teach the 6 Traits of Writing.

Karin is a National Board Certified teacher, mentor, and childhood education expert who began her classroom career over 30 years ago. A natural motivator, she enthusiastically prepares teachers to find a way that every child can learn. The Lilly Grant Recipient for 2011 is just one of the many awards she has received.

Deanna has taught for 15 years in kindergarten and first grade classrooms and was Teacher of the Year in 2003 and 2006. She has a passion for creating and sharing grade-level-appropriate units and activities that incorporate the Common Core Standards and make learning fun again. Deanna is the number one seller for Teacherspayteachers.com.

For 38 years, Sharron has been a passionate, enthusiastic, and inspiring early childhood educator. Her special rapport with children stems from her positive attitude toward life, her in-depth training, and her rewarding experiences teaching kids and training teachers. Continually learning and expanding professionally, Sharron is in great demand to conduct staff training seminars, workshops, and keynote speeches nationwide. She is the co-author of Circle Time Activities for Young Children and Play Power: Games and Activities for Young Children.

Catherine is a National Board Certified Teacher with a varied and rich teaching background. She has presented workshops at the district, state, and national level. Catherine believes in creating a child-centered and activity-based classroom where children may become lifelong lovers of learning. And, she is a Presidential Award winner for Excellence in Teaching Elementary Mathematics. She has recently released her second book, Mathematical ArtOFacts.

Melissa’s life goal is to help as many teachers as she can benefit from balanced literacy best practices in early grade classrooms. She understands what it takes to inspire teachers to do their best. And her idea-packed sessions are often turning points for both new and veteran educators.

An early childhood educator for over 17 years, Vanessa shares her passion for teaching by mentoring new teachers. Her specialties are working with ESL and Title 1 populations, and adopting today’s technology for the classroom. Vanessa shares her talents on her award-winning website and by consulting internationally.

Nancie brings over 15 years of broad-ranging educational experiences to her dynamic and engaging sessions. She offers a unique perspective as well as innovative and creative approaches and techniques for teaching K to 3, gifted and talented, ESL students, and many others. Nancie always shares ideas you can use right away.

Susan has taught both kindergarten and pre-kindergarten for over ten years. She was named Teacher of the Year in 2005. Susan strongly believes in building children’s confidence through engaging activities and a stimulating environment, and encourages all students to take a role in their own learning. She is passionate about helping children develop an appreciation for literature.

Fondly known as the Ooey Gooey Lady®, Lisa has been a PreK and kindergarten educator in a variety of environments for over 15 years. She is committed to showing teachers how play-based activities get children ready for school. Lisa is the author of The Ooey Gooey® Handbook: Identifying and Creating Child-Centered Environments, and more.

One of America’s most exciting speakers and classroom innovators, Pat masterfully packs her straightforward presentations with creative strategies and real-life answers to teachers’ most challenging issues. She brings 17 years of classroom experience to the podium— and a huge dose of enthusiasm. She is the author of many books, including Making the Connection: Learning Skills Through Literature, Grades K 2.

Trish’s impressive credentials include 25 years as an early childhood educator in K-2 classrooms and a site teacher educator. She currently is an instructor in the early childhood education program at a university, an educational consultant, and presenter who gets rave reviews. She is the author of Kindergartners At Work: Introducing the Super 6 and Kindergartners At Work II – The Super 6 Continues.

Shari has been a kindergarten teacher and classroom innovator for over 25 years. She presents content-packed sessions on a range of kindergarten-specific topics and teacher-tested strategies and instructional methods. She was nominated for Disney Teacher of the Year. She is the author of several CDs, including Singing with Shari: Get Ready!

Dan is an independent educational consultant with wide-ranging experience in public and private school environments in both general and special education settings. He has worked as a behavior specialist, educational diagnostician, and director of a learning resource center. Dan has provided staff development in behavior, dropout prevention, school climate, and developmentally appropriate practices. He designed a three-year training program certifying individuals to serve as Behavior Specialists.

Sherri is an experienced educator who travels the country offering insightful and motivating presentations on a wide variety of teaching topics, including Differentiated Instruction, math, reading, writing, and science. She is a former Missouri Teacher of the Year and a recipient of the National Presidential Award in Elementary Science. Sherri is also the author and creator of the professional development program, Open the Eyes of Struggling Readers and Writers to Literacy Using Strategies in Comprehensive Literacy.

Miriam is an international literacy consultant offering more than 30 years of experience as a classroom teacher, early learning specialist, and exceptional-needs program specialist. Under Miriam’s leadership, more than two thousand kindergarten students in 56 schools moved from at-risk to success before first grade. She is also the senior author of four resource books, including The Comprehensive Literacy Resource for Grade 1-2 Teachers, which won the 2006 Association of Educational Publishers Distinguished Achievement Award in the Professional Development category.

After 16 years in the PreK classroom, Lois formed her own company to present quality, interactive, and fun workshops for Early Childhood professionals. Her signature workshop, Through the Eyes of a Child, has expanded into several creative, totally interactive keynote presentations and two books, Creative Beginning Steps to Reading and Creative Beginning Steps to Art. Lois is affectionately known as the Squish Squash Lady of Early Childhood.

Donna is an educational consultant whose sessions are like how-to manuals packed with strategies for helping children reach their full potential. She’s positive, energetic, and practical. And audiences love her laser-like focus and fresh voice. Donna is the author of the highly acclaimed book, You Can’t Teach a Class You Can’t Manage.