I teach K! National Kindergarten Teacher Conference

Kim has taught kindergarten for over 25 years and was named 2002 Teacher of the Year. She encourages all educators to tap into the curiosity of young children to help plant the seeds for lifelong learning. Kim has been selected as an Expert Teacher for Houston County, Georgia, where she also serves as a mentor teacher. She is the coauthor of five books, including Bookmaking Bonanza and Read with Ease.

Carleton offers more than 30 years of experience as a kindergarten teacher. He believes strongly that all children can learn, and that learning occurs when teachers believe in themselves, believe in children, and believe that they can make a difference in the lives they touch everyday. Carlton’s awards include Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers, School Teacher of the Year, and National Honor Roll’s Outstanding American Teachers.

Peter Catalanotto’s illustrations and text are well known for their symbolism. His books have been featured on the PBS children’s show Storytime and have earned a variety of honors for children’s literature. Peter’s beautifully illustrated books include Dylan’s Day Out, Emily’s Art, Mr. Mumble, Daisy 1, 2, 3 and his newest book Ivan the Terrier.

eInstruction (www.einstruction.com) offers educators a family of software, student response systems, interactive whiteboards, wireless tablets, data reporting and analysis tools, and high-quality content, as well as the eI Community, a free, content-rich online resource center. These solutions increase student engagement, provide real-time feedback, and enable educators to assess comprehension and customize lessons.

Jackie is an Elementary Instructional Technology Specialist and recognized trainer in Tennessee with more than 21 years of education experience. She has taught several grade levels and has trained thousands of teachers in her district and across the state. Jackie’s humorous delivery and engaging teaching style has inspired teachers to improve instruction by engaging learners and differentiating instruction via technology resources.

Lori is an energetic, passionate, National Board Certified classroom teacher and trainer. She has taught several grade levels and uses her classroom experience to enhance her session presentations. Lori believes that integrating technology into instruction is a powerful way to enrich teaching and motivate students.

Lynn has been a kindergarten teacher for over 11 years. She brings a wealth of knowledge to the classroom from her work in the How Does Your Engine Run program. Lynn has written curriculum in many academic areas for her district’s kindergarten program. She has been nominated for the National Disney Teacher of the Year award as well as the state of Wisconsin Herb Kohl Fellowship award.

With over 18 years of classroom experience, Char has earned a national reputation as a dynamic education speaker. She is the author of several books, including Differentiated Instruction: Different Strategies for Different Learners and Math Strategies You Can Count On and her new title, Step-by-Step Model Drawing.

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 best-selling, Differentiated Instruction: Different Strategies for Different Learners and Differentiating Textbooks.

Pamela is an enthusiastic educator whose passion for teaching is evident in the innovative and imaginative activities she creates for her students. In 2000, Pam achieved her National Board Certification in early childhood. After 11 years teaching first graders, Pam now teaches pre-kindergarten in Orlando, and serves as a mentor for beginning teachers.

Kathy is a National Board certified early childhood education specialist with over 12 years of elementary teaching experience. She is her district’s Teacher of the Year for 2008 and has twice been nominated for Disney Teacher of the Year. Kathy is highly skilled at differentiating instruction in the early childhood classroom.

Cristine is an enthusiastic teacher with 13 wonderful years of experience in the kindergarten classroom. Prior to teaching kindergarten, she taught first grade for three years. Cristine has presented at the state, regional, and national levels, joyfully sharing her love of young children and her passion for teaching them.

Patricia is a life-long learner whose appreciation for the power and beauty of the written word motivated her to go into teaching. She is passionate about cultivating a love for reading and writing in her early childhood students. In 2000, Patricia realized a life-long goal of creating culturally relevant literacy materials for urban children. Her published emergent literacy book is titled Meat Pies/Empanadas de Carne.

Gwendolyn has two passions in life: teaching and writing for children. She taught mathematics for 10 years but now focuses on writing, because she believes books are a child’s passport to adventure. She has written seven children’s books and also writes for children’s magazines, including JAKES and Highlights for Children.

Kim is a kindergarten teacher and North Carolina’s Teacher of the Year. For over 15 years, she has conducted hundreds of trainings at local, state, national, and international conferences. Kim is a Mentor and Lead Kindergarten Teacher. Since 2000, she has been a Teacher Voice on National Governing Boards.

An award-winning author, Barbara has been writing for children for over thirty years. She has published thirty-five books for children, both picture books and chapter books. Through her writing, Barbara aspires to find the things that are the same, and the things that are different, between us all. Her books have been translated into twenty-six languages.

Kimberly incorporates over 20 years of kindergarten teaching experience into her innovative ideas for motivating students to learn. A master teacher and language-arts mentor, Kimberly holds a masters degree in English as a Second Language. She has written numerous books, including Home and Back with Sight Word Packs and Jazzing up Journals.

Susan is an outstanding teacher and nationally acclaimed presenter specializing in literacy. She is also an experienced Reading Recovery® specialist. Susan’s ability to translate teaching theory into practical classroom strategies has made her a celebrated teacher’s teacher. You can count on her sessions to be filled with innovative and practical strategies.

For over 26 years, Julie has taught kindergarten through eighth grade, special education, ELL, and Title 1. A literacy specialist and consultant, Julie holds National Board Certification in literacy, has received the Outstanding Literacy Award from her own district, and the Nellie Edge Excellence in Kindergarten Literacy Award.

Melissa is a highly energetic presenter who is dedicated to helping teachers implement balanced-literacy best practices in their early grade classrooms. She is knowledgeable, creative, and passionate about inspiring teachers do their best every day for every student. Melissa's idea-packed sessions allow you to hear strategies and tips today, and put them into practice tomorrow!

An early childhood educator for over 17 years, Vanessa shares her passion for teaching by mentoring new teachers. Her expertise includes working as a specialist with ESL and Title 1 populations, as well as adopting new technology for her classroom and to share with other teachers. As she consults internationally, Vanessa finds that children are the same wherever you go—as eager to learn as she is to teach them.

Cindy has been a teacher for over 30 years, with 22 in a kindergarten classroom. A Disney Teacher of the Year nominee, she was also named to the National Honor Roll of Outstanding American Teachers. Cindy is well known for her dynamic presentation style. She is the author of Differentiating Instruction in Kindergarten.

Dr. Thomas Moore is nationally recognized as an early childhood consultant, keynote speaker, workshop leader, and children’s recording artist. From a keynote address at Harvard University to teacher-training workshops in Denmark, Italy, Germany, and Nigeria, Dr. Moore creates learning experiences that educate and encourage teachers.

Michele is a literacy specialist whose knowledge and enthusiasm shine through in her workshops. She has trained teachers in all aspects of balanced literacy. Nationally Board Certified, Michele exhibits the qualities and strengths of an excellent teacher. She has hands-on classroom experience with both full-day and half-day kindergarten. She has authored a parent support pamphlet titled Preparing Your Child for Kindergarten.

Laureen is an experienced classroom teacher and best-selling author. She takes pride in offering teachers practical ideas, engaging activities, and simple management techniques designed to increase students' interest and independence as learners. Laureen is the author of Poems for Sight-Word Practice, Centers Made Simple, Sight Word Poetry, Poems for Word-Family Practice, and Poems for Math Practice.

Shannon is an educational consultant, special education teacher, and Cohort Leader with the Early Learning Success Initiative. She is well known for her practical information and enthusiastic style, and her experiences with Response to Intervention, data-driven instruction, differentiation, and instructional consultation.

An illustrator and writer of children’s books since 1992, Judy is the recipient of many awards. Her children’s book, Skippyjon Jones, won the first E. B. White Read Aloud Book Award. Judy’s books have also won children’s choice awards in four states. Judy lives in Pennsylvania with her Siamese cat, Skippy, who served as inspiration for the Skippyjon Jones character.

A 26 year veteran of the kindergarten classroom, Linda is dedicated to helping teachers organize and develop classrooms that work, and to supporting teachers in finding ways to guide and challenge all students, regardless of their developmental levels. She has written both Kindergarten and Early Childhood curriculum in multiple content areas.

Kurt has been a classroom teacher since 1996. He is passionate about demonstrating the benefits of integrating computers into the classroom, and about delivering his creative, new, primary curriculum. An NBC Crystal Apple award winner, Kurt has recently been appointed an eHow “Education Expert” and is also a Google Certified Teacher.

Monte’s distinctive work is internationally applauded. He is a popular keynote speaker, co-author of six books, columnist, and songwriter/recording artist with five critically acclaimed albums. His comical and insightful music is cultivated from an award-winning career as a teacher, principal, and professor.

Shari has been an enthusiastic kindergarten teacher for over 20 years. An experienced national presenter, she offers a range of kindergarten-specific topics and teacher-tested strategies. Shari expertly translates what occurs in her own classroom into innovative and practical instructional methods that enrich the learning environment. She has been included in Who's Who Among America's Teachers several times and was nominated for Disney Teacher of the Year. Shari recently released her new CD, School is Cool.

South Elementary School was originally a K-5 elementary school with one class per grade level. It became an early learning center, housing the county cooperative special education preschool classrooms and the district’s kindergarten ½ day classrooms. As the community grew, more kindergarten classrooms were added. Today, the school is a full-day, kindergarten-only school, and has added an additional kindergarten classroom each year over the past 3 years.

Lori has taught reading for over 30 years. She is a former Iowa Reading Teacher of the Year and Elementary Teacher of the Year. Presenting at local, regional and national reading conferences, Lori blends theory with practice and shares ideas that can be quickly implemented. She has published a book called Poetry Parade.