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Teachers are the heroes leading the charge for student success and our schools need them now more than ever. The Stride Professional Development Center (SPDC) is committed to helping solve teachers’ greatest professional learning challenges through on-demand Professional Development (PD) courses and conferences that build community. SPDC proudly brings to you Promising Practices 2024, a dynamic, award-winning virtual educators conference! Register today as we put the power of learning in the hands of those who need it most.
Promising Practices is an award-winning conference that provides educators with innovative, yet practical strategies, ideas, and resources that can be applied in the classroom immediately. When you register, you gain access to the conference and receive one year of free access to the Stride PD Center, an ever-growing library of on-demand, mobile-friendly PD courses! The live and on-demand sessions are available on the day of the event and are accessible for 30 days following the conference. Our flexible virtual format allows educators to attend the event at a time and location that works best for them, saving time, and money and supporting the environment. Upon conclusion of the conference, each participant will receive a certificate for PD clock hours. Don’t miss out!
Additional benefits include:
Virtual Benefits Fair officially opens
Time to kick things off! Make your way to the auditorium for a benefits presentation
Benefits presentation begins
Don’t worry, if you miss the presentation, you can watch the replay through-out the day
Explore the Exhibit hall, chat with our vendor representatives
To get the most out of your conference experience download the Conference Companion Guide and the Schedule at a Glance.
To personalize your conference experience, select the “Add to Calendar” button. These sessions will be added to your calendar as reminders only. Attendees must still log into the conference to attend all sessions.
Instructional Practices
James Rhyu
CEO of Stride
James Rhyu, Chief Executive Officer, joined Stride in June 2013 and became CEO in January 2021. He brings 30 years of operational, financial, and public company experience to Stride.
Prior to his CEO role, Mr. Rhyu served as Stride’s President of Corporate Strategy, Marketing, and Technology, Chief Financial Officer, and President of Product and Technology. In these positions, Mr. Rhyu spearheaded development of new products and services and led the development of marketing and messaging to support market expansions as well as executed on merger and acquisition opportunities that support Stride’s growth strategy.
Before his tenure at Stride, Mr. Rhyu served as CFO and Chief Administrative Officer of Match.com, a subsidiary of publicly traded IAC/InterActiveCorp. In those roles, he was responsible for overseeing a broad range of functions, including human resources, legal, information technology and operations, and certain international operations and product development.
Prior to his roles at Match.com, Mr. Rhyu was a SVP of Finance at Dow Jones & Company where he ran the global financial function. Previously, he served for three years as the Corporate Controller of Sirius XM Radio Inc. and its predecessor company, XM Satellite Radio, as well as serving in the same role for Graftech International. Mr. Rhyu also spent six years with Ernst & Young LLP in the United States and South America.
Mr. Rhyu holds a bachelor’s degree from The Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania and an MBA from London Business School.
Jacquelyn Fischvogt
Indiana Digital Learning School
Jackie is celebrating her fifth year as geometry teacher with Indiana Digital Learning School. She has taught in a variety of settings from elementary to post-secondary for over twenty years and has enjoyed her prior experiences as a project-based learning facilitator and workshop creator, math interventionist, instructional coach, and department chair. Jackie loves creating equitable environments for students, engaging students in processes and discourse, and offering opportunities for students to personalize their learning through the UDL framework. In her spare time, Jackie likes to try new hobbies like traveling, running, painting, or playing the guitar. She currently lives in Columbus, Indiana with her husband, her two youngest (of six) children, her two dogs, and her cat, Luna Moon.
Engagement is more than fun. This session will help participants identify barriers to engagement in order to improve access and confidence in learning mathematics. Within this framework, teachers will explore framing questions, choosing the tool to fit the means, and self-directed learning.
Intended Audience:
Instructional Practices
Amanda O'Brien
North Carolina Virtual Academy
Amanda O'Brien is currently the Lead Mentor Teacher for North Carolina Virtual Academy coordinating all onboarding and mentoring efforts. She began teaching in 2009 in the brick-and-mortar setting and joined NCVA in 2015 when it opened. At NCVA she has been a Family Academic Support Liaison, a HS Social Studies Teacher, and was the 2018 K12 Teacher of the Year for Peer Leadership and Mentorship. Amanda believes that supporting new teachers is a critical component of a school’s success. Amanda is also a wife, mom, and active member of her church family. In her free time, she enjoys being outdoors, serving others, and listening to great podcasts.
The session will focus on tools to help schools build and strengthen their new teacher program. During it we will cover new teacher onboarding, internal resources to support new teachers, and ongoing support for new teachers in their first year.
Intended Audience:
Leadership
Brittany Churchill
Learning A-Z
Brittany is a Professional Learning Manager in Digital Learning and Instructional Technology at Learning A-Z. With over a decade of experience in education, she is passionate about championing equitable learning opportunities for ALL. She has served at KIPP Schools and K12/Stride Online Schools, and earned a Master's in Online Education. Brittany advocates for universal access to quality education, recognizing it as a fundamental right. She believes that education can transform lives and empower learners to make a positive impact in their communities. Brittany resides in Tallahassee with her husband, daughter, and two furry friends.
Join us as we journey into the world of student engagement, where we will explore the transformative forces of curiosity and lifelong learning. In this session, you will learn practical strategies for cultivating curiosity in the classroom, how to model lifelong learning for your students, and how to leverage curiosity as a powerful teaching tool. Come and discover how these principles can transform your teaching approach and create a vibrant space of engagement and knowledge exploration for your students.
Intended Audience:
Student Support
Bryan Kamyszek
Michigan Great Lakes Virtual Academy
Bryan is currently an 8th grade Math teacher at Mighigan Great Lakes Virtual Academy. He began his career teaching in a brick and mortar setting, and after 5 years transitioned into the expert virtual educator he is today. Bryan is passionate about building real student relationships, and that the best relationships with students are authentic and not forced. He currently lives in Grand Rapids Michigan (GO BLUE!) with his wife and two daughters.
This session focuses on how to build real, authentic relationships with students and how to leverage those relationships in the form of work completion and improved test scores. Building relationships with students, especially virtually, is much different – and more challenging - than you might think.
Intended Audience:
Student & School Culture
Erika Saeb
Texas Virtual at Hallsville
Erika Saeb brings her expertise to Texas Virtual at Hallsville Middle School as a science teacher, backed by five years of teaching experience and an ongoing pursuit of a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership. Alongside her passion for sharing practical insights from her classroom, she adds a touch of creativity to her life with interests in writing and pencil drawing. Nestled in Orlando, FL, Erika shares her home with her husband and a cherished furry companion.
Curious about your students' thoughts and feelings? Eager to delve into the unspoken aspects of their lives beyond the classroom? "I Wish My Teacher Knew" serves as a compelling and straightforward tool, empowering educators to gain profound insights into the experiences of their students and fostering a deeper connection beyond academic realms.
Intended Audience:
Instructional Practices
Erin Talbert
North Carolina Virtual Academy
Erin Talbert has been teaching for 11 years, the last 5 of which have been virtual. She is the Social Studies Department Chair and Lead Mentor in the high school of NC Virtual Academy. She has two bachelor degrees from Pfeiffer University and recently obtained her Master's Degree in Education from Southern New Hampshire University. She has a passion for mentoring others and creating professional developments to grow in the virtual community.
In her personal life, Erin has been married to her wonderful husband, Alan, for 12 years. They share two children, Jude who is 10, and Andi who is 7. The family spends time together on their farm in North Carolina where they raise black angus cattle.
Teach Like A Champion is a system full of wonderful strategies to engage students and push them to their highest capabilities, but they weren't designed to be used virtually. How can we adapt some of these methods to work in our online classroom? This session focuses on several of the TLAC methods I have adapted for my own classroom and the results I have seen. Specifically it will look at getting students engaged in writing and interacting over the microphone.
Intended Audience:
Instructional Practices
Amy Hollis
Stride, Inc.
Amy is a Learning Development Specialist at Stride, creating engaging and impactful learning experiences for teachers and leaders. Beginning her career in the brick-and-mortar setting, she quickly became interested in online education in its earliest stages. This interest led her to an opportunity to review online courses in Texas, eventually bringing Amy to Stride, where she began teaching in 2018. Amy continues to be at the forefront of embracing educational technology as she explores how AI can be an educational tool benefiting teachers and students. Amy has co-authored a series of AI newsletters for schools and two AI courses for educators.
Iman Alattar
Stride, Inc.
Iman is a Learning Development Specialist on Stride's Talent Development team. She draws on more than a decade of diverse experiences in teaching and administrative roles, across traditional and online settings, to create dynamic professional development training for educators. Iman is passionate about exploring how new technologies can transform learning and is currently focused on the intersection of artificial intelligence and education. She most recently co-authored a series of AI training newsletters for schools and a comprehensive AI curriculum for educators. Iman lives in Dallas, TX with her family.
This session is designed for educators and educational leaders who want to explore the possibilities of integrating artificial intelligence into their teaching and administrative practices. Whether you're a novice or have prior knowledge of AI, this presentation will provide insights and practical guidance on leveraging AI to enhance learning experiences and streamline educational processes. Always check to ensure this AI tool, or any like it, comply with your school or district policies.
Intended Audience:
Instructional Practices
Janessa Dutton
Texas Online Preparatory High School
Janessa is currently an Academic Support Administrator at TOPS High School in Texas. She began her teaching career by teaching high school science for 11 years and then moved into administration for another 5 years. She has been with Stride for the past 2 years as a Physics teacher and now supporting struggling students in an administrative role. Janessa's passion is breaking down barriers to students' success in the classroom. When she is not educating students in a classroom setting, she works with local livestock families helping them show their animal projects at their local fair. She currently lives in Texas with her 2 teenage sons, husband and a myriad of dogs and livestock.
Chrishele Baker
Texas Online Preparatory School
Chrishele is currently a High School Instructional Coach at TOPS supporting math and science teachers. She began her career as a classroom teacher and taught a variety of courses and levels in Pennsylvania, Georgia, and Texas before transitioning into an instructional coach in a brick and mortar setting in 2016. Chrishele focuses her time and talents to cultivate reflective educators, fervently works to eliminate the "math is too hard" stigma, and leverages the power of vertical alignment to support at-risk students. She currently lives in Friendswood, Texas with her whacky chemical engineer husband, an energetic and sassy two year old daughter, a creative and inquisitive four year old, and 5 kitties.
This session will help teachers find engaging video clips to help students relate to the content and find purpose in their learning. Teachers will also gain knowledge in creating quality questions to drive student discussions and encourage higher-level thinking by relating the content to the world around them.
Intended Audience:
Instructional Practices
John Seymour
Texas Virtual Academy at Hallsville
John is currently a General Education US History Teacher at the Texas Virtual Academy at Hallsville (TVAH) and has “worn many hats” throughout his 40 year long educational career. He has been an adult education teacher, an education technology specialist, a career and vocational educator, and served for more than 15 years as a brick-and-mortar Social Studies teacher at both the high school and community college levels. John is passionate about educational technology and virtual instruction and has recently developed an intense interest in the use of generative AI technology for the creation and delivery of differentiated lessons. When he's not thinking about teaching, he loves to play retro video games! John is a native Texan and has an adult daughter.
This is an introduction and overview of just some of the many powerful Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools that have become available to the education field. The presentation will help teachers choose and evaluate the tools that may best fit their teaching needs. Always check to ensure this AI tool, or any like it, comply with your school or district policies.
Intended Audience:
Instructional Practices
Sarah Perroy
Stride, Inc.
Sarah is currently the Senior Manager of Curriculum & Instruction for Career & College Readiness Education at K12. Over her 17 years in education, she has served as a classroom, intervention, and ESOL teacher as well as a literacy specialist and PBL support specialist. Sarah is passionate about equity in education and believes that all students deserve access high-quality, engaging learning experiences throughout their academic career. In her free time, she enjoys reading and playing games with her family and friends.
Implementing Project Based Learning or PBL can feel like an overwhelming task. For others, it may seem like an education fad that will eventually succumb to the next. We believe PBL can be manageable, engaging, and academically rigorous through simple shifts in perspective. During this session, we will discuss the key elements of Project Based Learning and compare them to traditional teaching methods. I will share simple strategies to incorporate these key elements into the classroom so everyone can reap the benefits of this research-based instructional methodology.
Intended Audience:
Project Based Learning
Dr. Steve Perry
Founder of Capital Preparatory Schools in NY & CT
The heart of a man is evident in his works. Dr. Steve Perry has spent his career working to show his heart by improving the lives of those in need. Beginning his career as a director of a homeless shelter on through starting schools in Connecticut and New York, Dr. Perry has developed an international reputation for fighting for Black and Latin kids. His work game national acclaim in the 2010 doc you series, CNN’s Black in America 2. There we saw Dr. Perry as a principal, picking his children up at 4:45 and bringing them to school. The next time we saw him on television, it was in TVOne’s, Save My Son. Most known for his work in education, Dr. Steve Perry has boldly stood in the gap, demanding access to quality education for Black and Latin children. His will to fight teachers unions and those protecting the status quo, has made him a hero to many who understand that our children need courageous leaders. Dr. Perry is also an author and orator who has traveled the country, speaking the gospel of hope to children and families. He knows that when we believe in our children, they respond by believing in themselves. His appearances on CNN, MSNBC, Fox News, Al Jazeera, and a host of other television networks, including , the Oprah Winfrey network and Al Jazeera offer insights into how we can and must forever change the ways we educate.
Joel Medley
Stride Professional Development Center
Joel Medley is the Director of the Stride Professional Development Center. His experience to coach educators through leadership development has extended from traditional school settings to charter schools and even online education.
This session tackles an issue that teachers face far too often - focusing on others while neglecting themselves. We will move through a definition of self-leadership, adopt a C.H.A.I.R. framework, learn principles about each frame, and close with a tool for personal growth.
Intended Audience:
Leadership
Kafarra Q.L. Burden
Stride, Inc.
Kafarra Q. L. Burden joined stride in 2019 and is currently serving as a Dyslexia Teacher. Kafarra earned a B.A. in Theatre Education, a M.Ed. in Educational Leadership, and went on to earn a second M.Ed. in Higher Education Student Affairs, each from the University of North Texas. She is currently working towards her Ph.D. in Educational Leadership, and she is passionate about equity, innovation, technology integration, online learning, and providing a quality educational learning experience for all students. Kafarra has experience as a Theatre Arts Teacher, Dyslexia Teacher, 504/Dyslexia Specialist, and a Special Programs Coordinator. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family, writing, DIY crafting, cooking, and trying new food. She currently lives in Texas, with her husband and their three sons.
How do we create an equitable classroom culture that fosters active learning for dyslexia students? Join us as we understand the dyslexia mindset, and dive into the strategies, supports, and resources that are necessary to build a classroom culture that empowers our dyslexia students to fully engage and actively learn. We will discuss what we can do as educational leaders to establish a virtual learning environment that is fun, engaging, innovative, and provides an equitable and quality educational learning experience for students with dyslexia.
Intended Audience:
Student Support
John Jenkins
Chief Program and Implementation Officer, New Leaders
John R. Jenkins is an educational leader who believes every school can improve its capacity to teach all students if there is a strong, competent, transformational leader at the helm. He currently serves in the role of Chief Program and Implementation Officer, to which he brings 33 years of experience. In this role, John leads the largest division in the organization in the design, delivery and evaluation of New Leaders’ comprehensive program catalog of leadership development solutions in partner districts and CMOs across the country. Each engagement is aligned with local priorities and designed to dramatically improve schools and student achievement, galvanizing district partners and community leaders to invest in school leadership.
The past 33 years of his career has been devoted to developing and sharing his passion for urban education as a Teacher, Facilitator and Administrator in New York Public Schools. Before joining New Leaders, he served as National Vice President of Programs of School Leaders Network where he led a national team to develop strong learning communities for aspiring and experienced leaders. Dr. Jenkins also served as the Instructional Program Manager for the Diploma Plus New York City Network of schools where he provided coaching and support to Principals and school leadership teams in implementing the Diploma Plus instructional model.
Dr. Jenkins, is an internationally certified Diversity Practitioner through National Training Laboratories (NTL) and American University. He has traveled internationally facilitating diversity, social justice and anti-oppression work and providing executive coaching across the Education, Non-Profit and Corporate sectors. Dr. Jenkins served as faculty member of the Diversity Practitioner Certificate Program, an 18 month, 7-course intensive that provided training and coaching for Chief Diversity Officers, Organizational Development (OD) Practitioners and Government Leaders. Clients included Shell Oil, Raytheon, Outback Steakhouse and the National Education Association (NEA). His work is rooted in exploring the impact of power, privilege and oppression on urban education systems and the students and communities they serve. He also supports school and system leaders in looking at their full schools as dynamic organizations and utilizes theory and practice from the organizational development field to support group and system interventions and individual coaching towards school/system improvement. Dr. Jenkins has also served on the faculty of Mercy College’s New Teacher Residency Program and New York University’s Ed.D Administrative Leadership Program.
Dr. Jenkins was a founding member of the board of the International Leadership Charter High School, one of the highest performing charter high schools in New York State. He is also a member of the Alumni Board of Directors of the University at Albany, part of the State University of New York system.
Dr. Jenkins holds an Ed.D. in Education Administration from New York University.
Sheldon Eakins, Ph.D.
Leading Equity Center
Sheldon L. Eakins, Ph.D., is the Founder of the Leading Equity Center. Dr. Eakins is also the host of The Art of Advocacy Livestream and the Leading Equity Podcast. Furthermore, Dr. Eakins is the author of Leading Equity: Becoming an Advocate for All Students. With over 15 years in education, he has served as a teacher, school principal, adjunct professor, and Director of Special Education.
Sheldon Eakins is passionate about helping educators accomplish equitable practices in their schools. He has earned a B.S. degree in Social Science Education, an M.S. degree in Educational Leadership, and a Ph.D. in K-12 Education.
Yolanda "Lana" Conaway
Palo Alto Unified School District
Yolanda "Lana" Conaway is the Assistant Superintendent of Equity and Student Affairs, where she plays a pivotal role in overseeing a broad spectrum of critical areas in education. Her portfolio includes the management of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, student support services, and strategic initiatives and operations. Lana led the development of the System-wide Integrated Framework for School Transformation (SWIFT) and spearheaded a communitywide racial equity challenge that engaged over 2000 community members. Lana's educational background is both extensive and impressive. She is an alumnus of the College of William & Mary, where she completed her Bachelor's and master's level certification in educational leadership. Lana also reached doctoral candidacy in Educational Policy, Planning, and Leadership at the College of William and Mary. Her commitment to education and leadership extends to her current pursuit of a doctorate in Higher Education Leadership. Lana is also certified as a DEI Master Practitioner through the DEI Leadership Institute. With a career spanning over two decades in education, Lana has been a transformative figure. She has dedicated herself to creating and implementing numerous programs to advance equity and provide essential resources to families and communities. Her work reflects a deep commitment to ensuring that educational environments are inclusive, supportive, and conducive to the growth and well-being of every student. Lana's leadership and initiatives in these areas have made significant contributions to the field of education, particularly in enhancing the experiences and opportunities for students from diverse backgrounds.
In this panel discussion, experts in the field of education will explore strategies for achieving equity in the classroom and shifting anti-bias practices. The discussion will revolve around practical approaches that educators can implement to ensure that all students have an equal opportunity to succeed and feel a sense of belonging in their educational environment. The panelists will share their insights, experiences, and best practices in fostering inclusivity and dismantling barriers in education.
Tara Houston
Houston Consulting Group & Associates, LLC
Tara is the Founder and CEO of Houston Consulting Group & Associates, LLC. She began her career teaching high school English; and in 4 years, she transitioned to many different roles including Special Education Coordinator, middle school assistant principal, college professor, and educational consultant. Tara is dedicated to advocating for the voiceless in academic settings, working to counteract bias and mitigate its adverse effects on historically marginalized communities in education. She currently lives in Woodbridge, Virginia with her husband, Michael, their four sons, and their miniature schnauzer.
Engage with us as we delve into the essential skills and strategies to foster a more equitable learning environment. Explore the intricacies of bias, its impact on the classroom, and most importantly, how to overcome it. Through case studies and practical exercises, participants will gain the knowledge and tools to recognize and address bias in their teaching practices, curriculum, and classroom interactions.
Intended Audience:
Diversity & Inclusion
Nancy Osborne
North Carolina Virtual Academy
Nancy is currently a middle school science teacher for North Carolina Virtual Academy. She began her career in education as a secondary science teacher over a decade ago in the brick-and-mortar setting and continues to be amazed by her students each day. Nancy enjoys reading science fiction and fantasy as well as catching the latest episodes of Doctor Who or Star Trek. She currently lives in North Carolina with her husband and two children.
This dynamic session is designed to empower educators to cultivate stronger connections with their students as they explore and learn practical strategies to bring their unique personalities, passion, and quirks into their teaching. By embracing their individuality, educators will create a more inclusive and engaging learning environment where students will feel seen, valued, and inspired to thrive.
Intended Audience:
Diversity & Inclusion
Pam Sieger
Stride, Inc.
Pam Sieger is a Portfolio Academic Administrator for schools in Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Arkansas. Previously, she was a Gifted teacher/coordinator at NMDCA in New Mexico for students in grades K-12 and a middle school English/ALP teacher for 9 years at a cyber charter school in Pennsylvania. Pam has a special interest and endorsement/certification in Gifted Education, and in Youth Mental Health Awareness. Pam works with Gifted/Advanced leaders and programming at K12 across the country advocating for students to reach their academic, social, and emotional needs and goals. Pam has a master's degree in Gifted Education from Millersville University, a master's degree in English Education from Edinboro University, and a bachelor's degree in Secondary Education English from Penn State University. She is a Khan Academy Ambassador, a Habits of Mind certified Practitioner, and a Youth Mental Health First Aid Certified Instructor. Pam also serves on the Awards Committee for the NAGC: National Association for Gifted Children.
Gifted students can present with perfectionism syndrome, imposture syndrome, anxiety, or depression from being misunderstood, bored, or overwhelmed. The assumption is that Gifted students can thrive academically without additional support; therefore, are often overlooked. This session showcases evidence-supported research to help recognize when a Gifted student is struggling as well as strategies and resources to help improve mental health outcomes for Gifted students.
Intended Audience:
Student Support
Rachel Allen
Wisconsin Virtual Academy
Rachel teaches Summit English 9 for Wisconsin Virtual Academy. After 1 year of teaching in a brick-and-mortar setting, she began her tenure at WIVA. This is her fourth year teaching virtually. In her class, Rachel seeks to help her students grow as thinkers, communicators, and individuals as they explore the human experience together. She lives in Beaver Dam, WI with her husband and a scrappy little mutt named Dobby.
Kim Jazdzewski
Wisconsin Virtual Academy
Kim is a Special Education teacher at WIVA K12. She began her career at a brick-and-mortar school, and this is year 2.5 for her with K12. Kim is passionate about creating opportunities for all students to have access to learn and succeed in school. Kim co-teachers with a 9th-grade English teacher and their guiding philosophy is high expectations and high levels of support are key elements to student success. Kim lives in Appleton Wisconsin with her family of 6, plus her two boxer dogs.
This session focuses on the collaboration between general and special education teachers and the ways this partnership benefits students of all ability levels. It provides strategies for teachers to use when differentiating in the OLS and the CC session.
Intended Audience:
Student Support
Raquel Reynolds
Arizona Virtual Academy
Raquel Reynolds is a dedicated mom and military spouse who has a passion for teaching mathematics. In 2017, she enrolled her children in Arizona Virtual Academy and was impressed by the benefits of online schooling. This experience motivated her to pursue a career with Stride K12. After earning her Master's Degree in Mathematics Education from Northern Arizona University, Raquel became an in-person math tutor and advisor for Colorado Preparatory Academy. She later became a 6th-grade Math teacher at CPA before transitioning to a high school Math teacher at AZVA. Raquel is a strong advocate of YouCubed.org research and practices and believes that Math class should focus on learning rather than just performing. She actively encourages her students to try again and never give up on learning.
This session focuses on how to use the Gradebook functions in the OMHS as a best practice suggestion. This will enable teachers to direct students and families to the Grades tab in their online course for all the information needed to improve their grades, pass your course, and support resources all in one convenient location!
Intended Audience:
Instructional Practices
Belinda Lindeburgh
Stride Learning Solutions
Belinda is currently the English Content Specialist for Learning Solutions. She began her career in a brick-and-mortar setting teaching upper-level English. After 15 years, she joined K12 and has held both instructor and coaching positions here since, becoming the Content Specialist in 2019. Beyond the obvious English teacher things, Belinda is passionate about inclusion and respecting diversity. Belinda is an empty-nester and mother of three, currently living with her fiancé in Wallingford, CT.
Erika Corrigan
Stride Learning Solutions
Erika is currently the World Language Content Specialist for Learning Solutions. She began her career teaching in the brick- and-mortar setting 14 years ago and has spent the last 10 years in the online environment in various roles including live instructor, master teacher, and content coach. Erika is passionate about making students and teachers lifelong learners. She currently lives in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania with her husband and two children.
Sara Poniatowski
Stride Learning Solutions
Sara is currently the Social Studies Content Specialist for Learning Solutions. She began her career in the brick-and-mortar setting 23 years ago and has spent the last 13 years in the online world as a Social Studies and ELA teacher, master teacher, and instructional coach. Sara is passionate about teacher leadership and collaboration and her mission is to support teachers' professional development, adaptability, and growth mindset. She resides in suburban Chicago with her family.
This session focuses on how educators can leverage their existing strengths, skills, knowledge, and tools to approach any changes with confidence and creativity. Topics include: how to view changes as opportunities to use skills in a new way; how to identify priorities; and how to focus energy and apply change adaptation strategies to real-life online teaching scenarios.
Intended Audience:
Student & School Culture
Yaw Owusu-Akyaw
Indiana Digital Learning School
Yaw Owusu-Akyaw is a Stride, K12 Special Education Teacher for the Indiana Digital Learning School. He has worked in the field of education for over nine years. Yaw began his career as a Middle School teacher in the brick-and-mortar school setting. He has been a Lead Preschool Teacher, a Learning Center Instructor, and a K12 Master Teacher. Yaw is passionate about using Gamification concepts to evoke students' learning potential. He enjoys playing video games, watching Anime, cycling, traveling, and making YouTube videos.
This session focuses on utilizing game-based activities to create interactive learning experiences. Gamification uses game theory and mechanics to challenge students to retain lesson content and apply it in virtual simulations that mirror real-world scenarios.
Intended Audience:
Instructional Practices
Yolanda Merriman
Insight School of Oklahoma
Yolanda is currently an educator of English for High School Seniors. She has spent the last 13 years working in the virtual school environment transitionally from an educator to Director of Professional Development. Her roles included curriculum development, LMS development, Instructional Design, Organizational Structure, Accountability Tracking & Reporting, among several other roles. Yolanda is passionate about life experiences that are meaningful and adventurous in all aspects of her life. She is a a future thinker with organization and planning always on her mind for life and for career. She currently resides in Oklahoma with "fernweh" in her heart, so she travels extensively when the opportunity arrives.
This session will encourage the classroom teacher to incorporate real-life skills with their instructional lessons. These types of lessons will help the student to see the benefit of learning the standards that we teach when they are tied to a life skill that they need outside of the school room. Making the content connect to real-life scenarios creates meaning and intrinsic value to the student.
Intended Audience:
Instructional Practices
Michelle Cole
Ohio Virtual Academy
Michelle is currently a high school credit recovery math teacher at Ohio Virtual Academy. She began her career in 2005 teaching in a small county school and transitioned to a part-time college instructor before starting her new online teaching career in 2012 at Ohio Virtual Academy. Michelle loves to play guitar and performed in her first student recital back in October. She is a group fitness instructor at the local YMCA teaching spin/cycling classes and will be offering additional group fitness classes at another gym in town as well soon. She currently lives in Findlay with her husband Jeremy and her 1 1/2-year-old australian shepherd Cisco.
This session will focus on how to take Stride lessons and turn them into more student centered learning experiences. Participants will learn about AI technology, such as ChatGPT, to create engaging lessons that students will understand what they are learning. Always check to ensure this AI tool, or any like it, comply with your school or district policies.
Intended Audience:
Instructional Practices
Lily Jones
Educator Forever
Lily Jones is the founder of Educator Forever, where she empowers teachers to expand their impact beyond the classroom, and Educator Forever Agency, where she works with a team of educators to create inspiring curricula. Holding an MA in Education from UC Berkeley, Lily spent seven inspiring and exhausting years as a kindergarten and first-grade teacher, then left the classroom to work as a curriculum designer, instructional coach, and education consultant. In everything she does, Lily hopes to support kids to love learning and teachers to love teaching.
When teachers are empowered to create curriculum, the benefits are incredible. Teachers can develop curriculum that is responsive to their particular students' needs and interests. Through the process of creating curriculum, teachers get clear on what they believe about education and how to create the learning experiences they hope to see in the world. Join this session to learn how to get started with teacher-created curriculum and best practices for creating engaging, student-centered lessons.
Intended Audience:
Instructional Practices
Casey Rudzena
Stride, Inc.
Casey is entering into her 16th year of education. She has had the pleasure of being part of the Stride team for 11 years. She has a BS from University of Arizona in Elementary Education, a M. Ed from Grand Canyon University in Curriculum and Instruction, a M. Ed from Northern Arizona University in Leadership- Principal Certification and an Ed. S in Curriculum and Instruction Leadership. She taught middle school English for AZVA, an instructional coach for the central region, site-based teacher trainer/admin team at Texas- eSchool Prep, a PBL specialist, a Leader Trainer, and currently a Portfolio Academic Administrator. She enjoys helping people find their inspiration to be the best version of themselves in the online environment.
Join me in a journey into the dynamic world of K12 education as we delve into the innovative use of the K12 Zone to elevate student engagement. In this session, we'll explore practical strategies, inspiring case studies, and impactful insights on how K12 is leveraging the potential of the K12 Zone to foster meaningful learning and social experiences. Discover firsthand how educators are breaking new ground and transforming education through this innovative technology. Whether you're an educator, administrator, or technology enthusiast, this session promises to inspire you.
Intended Audience:
Casey Rudzena
Stride, Inc.
Casey is entering into her 16th year of education. She has had the pleasure of being part of the Stride team for 11 years. She has a BS from University of Arizona in Elementary Education, a M. Ed from Grand Canyon University in Curriculum and Instruction, a M. Ed from Northern Arizona University in Leadership- Principal Certification and an Ed. S in Curriculum and Instruction Leadership. She taught middle school English for AZVA, an instructional coach for the central region, site-based teacher trainer/admin team at Texas- eSchool Prep, a PBL specialist, a Leader Trainer, and currently a Portfolio Academic Administrator. She enjoys helping people find their inspiration to be the best version of themselves in the online environment.
Join me in a journey into the dynamic world of K12 education as we delve into the innovative use of the K12 Zone to elevate student engagement. In this session, we'll explore practical strategies, inspiring case studies, and impactful insights on how K12 is leveraging the potential of the K12 Zone to foster meaningful learning and social experiences. Discover firsthand how educators are breaking new ground and transforming education through this innovative technology. Whether you're an educator, administrator, or technology enthusiast, this session promises to inspire you.
Intended Audience:
Amy Hollis
Stride, Inc.
Amy is a Learning Development Specialist at Stride, creating engaging and impactful learning experiences for teachers and leaders. Beginning her career in the brick-and-mortar setting, she quickly became interested in online education in its earliest stages. This interest led her to an opportunity to review online courses in Texas, eventually bringing Amy to Stride, where she began teaching in 2018. Amy continues to be at the forefront of embracing educational technology as she explores how AI can be an educational tool benefiting teachers and students. Amy has co-authored a series of AI newsletters for schools and two AI courses for educators.
Joshua Goodall
Ohio Digital Learning School
Joshua Goodall is a U.S. History and Economics teacher for Ohio Digital Learning School. After receiving his M.A. in History from James Madison University and an M.Ed. from Ohio University, he pursued one of his longstanding goals to create historical instruction for the modern, virtual classroom. With the recent progress in artificial intelligence, he has become increasingly interested in the morals and uses of AI in education.
Cindy Wright
Stride, Inc.
Cindy Wright joined K12 in 2005. Over her 30-year career, Cindy has been a teacher, administrator, and, more recently, Vice President of School Services, overseeing programs in Ohio, Colorado, and Utah. Her focus remains on innovation, community engagement, and leadership development. She has consistently driven educational excellence throughout her career, reflecting her commitment to realizing learner potential through high standards. Her experience continues to support limitless, personalized learning opportunities.
Sunny Yang-Hicks
Stride, Inc
As the Head of Product for Emerging Products at Stride, Sunny is at the forefront of AI-driven technologies, with over a decade of experience in digital product management. She is passionate about creating customer-centric solutions and excels in leading the development of emerging products, particularly in pioneering AI foundations that could revolutionize student learning through Generative AI. Sunny is proficient in product strategy and user experience, with a strong understanding of business and technology in artificial intelligence. Before joining Stride, Sunny's leadership experience at companies like Density, Mapbox, and OpenText resulted in notable product innovations. She is dedicated to promoting innovation, continuous learning, and making a positive impact at the intersection of technology, human-centric products, and education.
Artificial Intelligence is revolutionizing K-12 education, bringing both opportunities and challenges. This panel will explore the transformative impact of A.I. on teaching and learning while addressing the concerns of educators. Our diverse panel of experts will discuss the benefits, practical considerations, and the fears that educators may have regarding A.I. integration in K-12 education
Kory Taylor
Arkansas Virtual Academy Middle School
Kory Taylor, M.Ed, is a reading interventionist with Arkansas Virtual Academy Middle School. This is her fifth year with Stride and her eighth as a teacher. Her professional goal is to help every student and teacher succeed in the future of their choice. Kory has worked to develop systems within her schools that allow for better data discussions, collaboration among peers, and reduction of teacher fatigue. Her personal goal is to spend as much time as she can reading, crafting, and snuggling with her dogs, Dolly and Willie.
This session will focus on ways school staff can set boundaries between their work and personal life. Working from home creates specific challenges with keeping work at work, and participants will leave with an actionable plan to set and keep a line between their professional and personal lives.
Intended Audience:
Instructional Practices
Cassandra Bruington, M.Ed
Supplemental Education LLC
Cassandra is the Founder and CEO of Supplemental Education, a virtual tutoring and parent support company. She was inspired to begin a teaching career after studying abroad in South Africa. From her first year teaching sixth grade reading educator to now, Cassandra has worked as a literacy coach, education consultant, and teaching fellowship Director over the past fourteen years Cassandra is passionate about empowering parents to unlock learning at home and access resources that guarantee school success. She currently lives in Kansas City, Missouri with her preschool-aged son, Josiah.
This session will focus on viewing parents as partners in accelerated student learning, growth, and success. Using case studies, best practices, and research-based strategies, attendees will be able to harness their relationship-building skills and add to their toolkit to shift outcomes for students, staff, and the community with parent support and partnership!
Intended Audience:
Student & School Culture
Darren Reed
Sr. Vice President of Stride Professional Development Center
Darren Reed has over three decades of public and private sector teaching and executive leadership experience. He currently serves as Senior Executive and business leader of the Stride Professional Development Center for Stride, Inc. (Formerly K12, Inc.) Reed has served in various leadership capacities within Stride including Senior Vice President/General Manager, where he held top line accountability for 21 online and blended school programs across eleven states. In this role, Darren developed growth strategies for existing schools and expansion into new states. Reed has also held roles as Vice President of School Leadership Development and Vice President of Blended Schools at K12, Inc. where he improved school and regional leadership effectiveness and designed innovative school models in Chicago, San Francisco, and San Jose, CA. These early blended school models helped shape school reform and design initiatives, expanding how technology is leveraged to increase learning options to meet the needs of all students. From 2012-2014, Reed served as the Executive Director at New Leaders for New Schools where he led the organization's flagship Aspiring Principals Program (APP) through comprehensive redesign that led to improved leader identification, training, and assessment. Reed's contribution helped expand the nation's next generation of leaders to transform schools in our nation's most under-served communities.
Founder of Capital Preparatory Schools in NY & CT
Keynote
Leading Equity Center
Panelist
Ohio Digital Learning School
Panelist
Stride, Inc
Panelist
Stride, Inc.
Panelist
Chief Program and Implementation Officer, New Leaders
Panelist
Palo Alto Unified School District
Panelist
Stride Professional Development Center
Moderator
Sr. Vice President of Stride Professional Development Center
Moderator
Stride, Inc.
Panelist
Amanda O'Brien is currently the Lead Mentor Teacher for North Carolina Virtual Academy coordinating all onboarding and mentoring efforts. She began teaching in 2009 in the brick-and-mortar setting and joined NCVA in 2015 when it opened. At NCVA she has been a Family Academic Support Liaison, a HS Social Studies Teacher, and was the 2018 K12 Teacher of the Year for Peer Leadership and Mentorship. Amanda believes that supporting new teachers is a critical component of a school’s success. Amanda is also a wife, mom, and active member of her church family. In her free time, she enjoys being outdoors, serving others, and listening to great podcasts.
Amy Eward is Senior Manager of Game-Based Learning on Stride's Teaching and Learning team. In her over 15 years at Stride, she’s held various curriculum-development roles, working on everything from phonics to physics. Her favorite game is Scrabble, but she plays a lot of Magic the Gathering with her son. Amy has a Master’s degree in Writing from Johns Hopkins and a Bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education from Penn State. Amy lives in Northern Virginia with her husband, two children, and two backyard chickens.
Kristen Schuh Tyagi is the Executive Director of the National Coalition for Public School Options (PSO), a national alliance of parents that supports and defends parents’ rights to access the best public school options for their children.
In her previous role with PSO, Kristen served as Communications Director where she led the development of communications strategies to help advance PSO’s mission, including through advertising, social media and media outreach.
Prior to joining PSO, Kristen spent more than a decade in public affairs, serving as director of public affairs at Purple Strategies and as associate vice president of strategic communications at DDC Public Affairs. In both positions, Kristen led the development and execution of award-winning communications and advocacy campaigns on behalf of Fortune 100 companies, national trade organizations and non-profits.
Kristen is a native of Ohio and earned her BA in political science from Washington & Jefferson College in Washington, PA. She currently resides in Arlington, VA with her husband and young daughter. In her free time, Kristen enjoys taking fitness classes, cooking and hiking with her two rescue dogs.
Angie is currently a High School Counselor at Idaho Virtual Academy. She began her school counselor career in a brick and mortar setting at a Tribal High School and transitioned to the online setting 4 years ago. She is currently on the Idaho School Counselor Association board. Angie is passionate about student success, and helping each student create individualized goals for their post-high school journey. She enjoys spending time outdoors and taking her 3 kids out hiking every chance she gets in the summer. She currently lives on a small farm in Shelley Idaho with her husband, and 3 young children. |
Dr. Ashleigh Franco is a curriculum research specialist with Stride who is driven by the desire to see equitable education and opportunities. She has a wealth of experience working in public and public charter schools, teaching kindergarten, first grade, and literacy intervention; coaching and instructing teachers; and designing professional development and graduate courses for teachers. Dr. Franco’s research-specific experience entails conducting and presenting qualitative research nationally and internationally as well as extensive literature reviews and analytic curricular-focused research about best practices in K–12 education and online learning.
Belinda is currently the English Content Specialist for Learning Solutions. She began her career in a brick-and-mortar setting teaching upper-level English. After 15 years, she joined K12 and has held both instructor and coaching positions here since, becoming the Content Specialist in 2019. Beyond the obvious English teacher things, Belinda is passionate about inclusion and respecting diversity. Belinda is an empty-nester and mother of three, currently living with her fiancé in Wallingford, CT.
Brandi Workman is an educator at a virtual school in South Carolina. Known for her dynamic and student-centered methods, Brandi is committed to creating a positive and inclusive learning environment that inspires curiosity and critical thinking. Brandi currently serves a lead teacher in the Career and Technical Education department at her school. Brandi is an advisor for Student Council. She lives in Columbia, SC with her husband and three children.
Brittany is a Professional Learning Manager in Digital Learning and Instructional Technology at Learning A-Z. With over a decade of experience in education, she is passionate about championing equitable learning opportunities for ALL. She has served at KIPP Schools and K12/Stride Online Schools, and earned a Master's in Online Education. Brittany advocates for universal access to quality education, recognizing it as a fundamental right. She believes that education can transform lives and empower learners to make a positive impact in their communities. Brittany resides in Tallahassee with her husband, daughter, and two furry friends.
Bryan is currently an 8th grade Math teacher at Mighigan Great Lakes Virtual Academy. He began his career teaching in a brick and mortar setting, and after 5 years transitioned into the expert virtual educator he is today. Bryan is passionate about building real student relationships, and that the best relationships with students are authentic and not forced. He currently lives in Grand Rapids Michigan (GO BLUE!) with his wife and two daughters.
Candace Grant is currently a special educator at Colorado Preparatory Academy Middle School. She has over 20 years’ experience as a special educator and team teacher in inclusion classes, such as math, English, science and social studies. Candace loves it when her students grasp difficult concepts and improve their self-confidence as learners.
Casey is entering into her 16th year of education. She has had the pleasure of being part of the Stride team for 11 years. She has a BS from University of Arizona in Elementary Education, a M. Ed from Grand Canyon University in Curriculum and Instruction, a M. Ed from Northern Arizona University in Leadership- Principal Certification and an Ed. S in Curriculum and Instruction Leadership. She taught middle school English for AZVA, an instructional coach for the central region, site-based teacher trainer/admin team at Texas- eSchool Prep, a PBL specialist, a Leader Trainer, and currently a Portfolio Academic Administrator. She enjoys helping people find their inspiration to be the best version of themselves in the online environment.
Cassandra is the Founder and CEO of Supplemental Education, a virtual tutoring and parent support company. She was inspired to begin a teaching career after studying abroad in South Africa. From her first year teaching sixth grade reading educator to now, Cassandra has worked as a literacy coach, education consultant, and teaching fellowship Director over the past fourteen years Cassandra is passionate about empowering parents to unlock learning at home and access resources that guarantee school success. She currently lives in Kansas City, Missouri with her preschool-aged son, Josiah.
Chelsea is currently a Middle School Counselor for Idaho Virtual Academy (IDVA). She began her career in education as a paraprofessional for 2 years while she completed her masters and began her school counseling career in 2010 in the brick-and-mortar setting. Throughout her counseling career, she has been a school counselor for all K-12 grade levels and this year is her second year as a middle school counselor for IDVA. Chelsea is passionate about teaming with students, families, and staff to help support all students in their academic, personal, and career goals and enjoys spending time in the outdoors with her friends and family. She currently lives in Idaho with her husband, two children, and three dogs.
Chrishele is currently a High School Instructional Coach at TOPS supporting math and science teachers. She began her career as a classroom teacher and taught a variety of courses and levels in Pennsylvania, Georgia, and Texas before transitioning into an instructional coach in a brick and mortar setting in 2016. Chrishele focuses her time and talents to cultivate reflective educators, fervently works to eliminate the "math is too hard" stigma, and leverages the power of vertical alignment to support at-risk students. She currently lives in Friendswood, Texas with her whacky chemical engineer husband, an energetic and sassy two year old daughter, a creative and inquisitive four year old, and 5 kitties.
Christina is a School Counselor for K12 schools. She began her career as a Social Worker, serving children and families in California, and later transitioned to school counseling in 2014. Over the past 10 years, Christina held many roles including mental health counselor, intervention specialist, The Parent Project facilitator, Crisis Prevention and Intervention facilitator, testing coordinator, and education consultant for MTSS. Christina is passionate about equity and strives to support all educators in developing systems to improve outcomes for all students (i.e. academic and social-emotional). She currently lives in Indiana with her husband and four children.
Dawn is the founder of and senior consultant at Dawn Foreman Consulting. She began her career as a teacher, then transitioned into several different roles including performance evaluation program specialist, assistant principal, principal for 14 years with Alexandria City Public Schools and District of Columbia Public Schools, and, most recently, partnership director with Turnaround for Children for six years. Dawn is passionate about sharing the science of learning and development to leverage education transformation and enjoys painting and singing Karaoke. She currently lives in northern Virginia with her husband, and after 20 years, Dawn has returned to the classroom, teaching 4th grade with Fairfax County Public Schools in Virginia.
Donecia is currently an Instruction Coach for K-5 teachers at Louisiana Virtual Charter Academy. She began her career teaching in the brick and mortar setting. She transitioned into virtual education 4 years ago where she has served as a 4th grade math teacher, math interventionist, and testing site coordinator. Donecia is passionate about serving and supporting teachers, students and people in all capacities and she enjoys all things beauty and skincare. She currently lives in Monroe, LA with her husband Richard and 4 children.
Dr. Feyi Obamehinti is currently one of the EB Program Managers for Texas Shared Services (TVAH). She began her teaching career as a homeschool mom of 3 daughters for 11 years. After which she started in public education as a middle school science teacher in 1996. She has served teaching not just science but Math, Biology, ESOL, and Social Studies. After leaving the classroom, she served as an administrator in various capacities - campus, district, and regional. She is passionate about advocacy and has served in many local, state, and national entities advocating for educators, families, and communities. She currently lives in the DFW area in Texas with her husband and they are blessed with adult daughters.
Elaine is currently a full-time Science instructor with Stride /K12; She is certified in Special Education and Elementary Education in CO, NE, WA, OR, and MI. She has worked for the company for over 10 years as an instructor and part of the Academic Support Team. Elaine loves to read and take care of her animals. She also writes grants for various non-profits. Elaine lives in rural Colorado. She has three children, seven grandchildren, and a variety of animals.
Eric is currently a Teacher with Learning Solutions, teaching high school mathematics. He began his career in higher education in the field of educational computing and instructional design. After 25 years, he transitioned to K-12 education, seeing a need for great math teachers. Eric is passionate about guiding young people in becoming the best they can be. Outside of formal education, he is very active in Scouting as a leader, mentor, and teacher. He is a writer, a camping chef, former swimming coach and competitive swimmer and a wood carver. He currently lives in the greater Denver area where he enjoys all that the mountains provide.
Erika is currently the World Language Content Specialist for Learning Solutions. She began her career teaching in the brick- and-mortar setting 14 years ago and has spent the last 10 years in the online environment in various roles including live instructor, master teacher, and content coach. Erika is passionate about making students and teachers lifelong learners. She currently lives in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania with her husband and two children.
Erika Saeb brings her expertise to Texas Virtual at Hallsville Middle School as a science teacher, backed by five years of teaching experience and an ongoing pursuit of a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership. Alongside her passion for sharing practical insights from her classroom, she adds a touch of creativity to her life with interests in writing and pencil drawing. Nestled in Orlando, FL, Erika shares her home with her husband and a cherished furry companion.
Erin Talbert has been teaching for 11 years, the last 5 of which have been virtual. She is the Social Studies Department Chair and Lead Mentor in the high school of NC Virtual Academy. She has two bachelor degrees from Pfeiffer University and recently obtained her Master's Degree in Education from Southern New Hampshire University. She has a passion for mentoring others and creating professional developments to grow in the virtual community.
In her personal life, Erin has been married to her wonderful husband, Alan, for 12 years. They share two children, Jude who is 10, and Andi who is 7. The family spends time together on their farm in North Carolina where they raise black angus cattle.
Heather is currently the 3rd - 5th grade Principal at Oklahoma Virtual Charter Academy. She began her career teaching third and fourth grade in brick-and-mortar and transitioned to OVCA where she has served as a Middle School Teacher, Lead Teacher, Data & Accountability Manager, K12 Regional Data Manager, and Instructional Administrator. Heather's passion is to champion others to reach their full potential, and when she's not working, she can be found on her local running trail. She was born, raised, and still resides in Oklahoma with her daughter and Golden Retriever.
Iman is a Learning Development Specialist on Stride's Talent Development team. She draws on more than a decade of diverse experiences in teaching and administrative roles, across traditional and online settings, to create dynamic professional development training for educators. Iman is passionate about exploring how new technologies can transform learning and is currently focused on the intersection of artificial intelligence and education. She most recently co-authored a series of AI training newsletters for schools and a comprehensive AI curriculum for educators. Iman lives in Dallas, TX with her family.
Jackie is celebrating her fifth year as geometry teacher with Indiana Digital Learning School. She has taught in a variety of settings from elementary to post-secondary for over twenty years and has enjoyed her prior experiences as a project-based learning facilitator and workshop creator, math interventionist, instructional coach, and department chair. Jackie loves creating equitable environments for students, engaging students in processes and discourse, and offering opportunities for students to personalize their learning through the UDL framework. In her spare time, Jackie likes to try new hobbies like traveling, running, painting, or playing the guitar. She currently lives in Columbus, Indiana with her husband, her two youngest (of six) children, her two dogs, and her cat, Luna Moon.
Janae is currently a Learning Analyst within the Stride Teaching & Learning team. She has worked in higher education, online teaching, CTE administration and Stride product training. Janae aims to continually offer educators and administrators innovative solutions, and in her downtime loves life on the road chasing her kids' sports. Janae hails from the least-populated county in the least-populated state where she has a working cattle ranch with her husband and three children.
Janessa is currently an Academic Support Administrator at TOPS High School in Texas. She began her teaching career by teaching high school science for 11 years and then moved into administration for another 5 years. She has been with Stride for the past 2 years as a Physics teacher and now supporting struggling students in an administrative role. Janessa's passion is breaking down barriers to students' success in the classroom. When she is not educating students in a classroom setting, she works with local livestock families helping them show their animal projects at their local fair. She currently lives in Texas with her 2 teenage sons, husband and a myriad of dogs and livestock.
Jan Esmay is a veteran teacher with over 30 years’ experience. She spent her first 30 years of teaching in a traditional classroom, beginning her career in special education working with students of various behavioral and emotional needs. She then transitioned to the middle school where she loved teaching science, English, and literature for 12 years. After earning National Board Certification in Early Adolescent Science, she moved to the high school and taught allied health biology and was the HOSA advisor for a decade. Upon retiring from the traditional classroom, Jan started teaching with STRIDE K12 where she spent 2 years teaching 6-8th grade sciences, biology, health careers and medical terminology. She is now the Science Content Specialist for Learning Solutions.
Jen is a veteran teacher with 14 years teaching secondary math online and 3 years B&M. Her experience with co-teaching ranges from one teach, one assist model to team-teaching, with special education teachers, English Language Learner (ELL) teachers and math teachers. Jen loves supporting students with grasping mathematical concepts. In her spare time, she enjoys quilting and walking the dog. Jen and her husband live in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains in Colorado.
Jenna Nord is currently a High School Math Teacher for Stride at Indiana Digital Learning School, and has been in her role as a virtual teacher for three years. She began her career teaching in the brick-and-mortar setting at a small Christian school in Indianapolis, then jumped to a small rural school in Putnam County. She has experience teaching every level of education with a focus in mathematics and Spanish. Currently, she is finishing up her work in administration, and earning her second master's degree from Indiana Wesleyan University. Jenna strives to support her coworkers and the students in her class, and enjoys time with her kids and baking. She is a fan of Disney, which inspired her dog's name. She currently lives in the Indianapolis area with her two beautiful children, husband, and dog Nala.
Joel Medley is the Director of the Stride Professional Development Center. His experience to coach educators through leadership development has extended from traditional school settings to charter schools and even online education.
John is currently a General Education US History Teacher at the Texas Virtual Academy at Hallsville (TVAH) and has “worn many hats” throughout his 40 year long educational career. He has been an adult education teacher, an education technology specialist, a career and vocational educator, and served for more than 15 years as a brick-and-mortar Social Studies teacher at both the high school and community college levels. John is passionate about educational technology and virtual instruction and has recently developed an intense interest in the use of generative AI technology for the creation and delivery of differentiated lessons. When he's not thinking about teaching, he loves to play retro video games! John is a native Texan and has an adult daughter.
Kafarra Q. L. Burden joined stride in 2019 and is currently serving as a Dyslexia Teacher. Kafarra earned a B.A. in Theatre Education, a M.Ed. in Educational Leadership, and went on to earn a second M.Ed. in Higher Education Student Affairs, each from the University of North Texas. She is currently working towards her Ph.D. in Educational Leadership, and she is passionate about equity, innovation, technology integration, online learning, and providing a quality educational learning experience for all students. Kafarra has experience as a Theatre Arts Teacher, Dyslexia Teacher, 504/Dyslexia Specialist, and a Special Programs Coordinator. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family, writing, DIY crafting, cooking, and trying new food. She currently lives in Texas, with her husband and their three sons.
Katrina is a National Board Certified teacher who also has a Masters in Instructional Technology. She is currently a Lead teacher at Cyber Academy of SC.
Katy is a Training Services Manager for Stride. She began her career teaching science and transitioned into various leadership roles as a science subject matter expert and manager with Stride, eventually turning her focus to adult learning and development. Katy is passionate about ensuring quality training and professional development to support all educators in their mission to provide the best learning experience for students. She currently lives in the Seattle area with her family.
Dr. Kevin Winslow grew up in Los Angeles and taught Middle School mathematics courses there and in Springfield, Virginia before teaching at the college level. He earned his BA in Intercultural Studies from Biola University, his MEd in Secondary Mathematics Curriculum and Instruction from George Mason University, and his PhD in Mathematics Instructional Methodology with an emphasis in Instructional Technology also from George Mason. He currently serves as a Professor of Education at Lindenwood University in the St Louis area where he teaches graduate and undergraduate courses in K-12 Curriculum and Instruction, Instructional Technology, and Statistics and Quantitative Methods of Research.
Kim is a Special Education teacher at WIVA K12. She began her career at a brick-and-mortar school, and this is year 2.5 for her with K12. Kim is passionate about creating opportunities for all students to have access to learn and succeed in school. Kim co-teachers with a 9th-grade English teacher and their guiding philosophy is high expectations and high levels of support are key elements to student success. Kim lives in Appleton Wisconsin with her family of 6, plus her two boxer dogs.
Kimberly is currently a Portfolio Academic Administrator for K12 schools of Texas and Tennessee. She began her career teaching in the brick-and-mortar setting, and in 3 years, she transitioned into many different roles including online elementary teacher and talent development specialist. Kimberly is passionate about educational innovation and strives to support all teachers, admin, and schools and enjoys snowboarding, games, and adventures. She currently lives in Oklahoma with her husband, two children, and three dogs.
Kory Taylor, M.Ed, is a reading interventionist with Arkansas Virtual Academy Middle School. This is her fifth year with Stride and her eighth as a teacher. Her professional goal is to help every student and teacher succeed in the future of their choice. Kory has worked to develop systems within her schools that allow for better data discussions, collaboration among peers, and reduction of teacher fatigue. Her personal goal is to spend as much time as she can reading, crafting, and snuggling with her dogs, Dolly and Willie.
Kristen is currently a Curriculum and Instructional Specialist for Stride's Teaching and Learning Team. She began teaching Math and Science in a brick-and-mortar setting for 6 years before transitioning to one of K12's virtual schools in 2013. There, she taught Algebra and was the math department head for 5 years. After leaving the classroom in 2018, she worked as an Instructional Coach and Teacher Trainer for 4 years until transitioning to her current role in February of 2023. Kristen is passionate about working with teachers to support them in any way possible. When not focused on work, she enjoys time with her family and nephews. During the summer, you'll find her in the garden!
Laura currently serves as an ELL Program Manager for Texas Shared Services. She has held various leadership positions at the campus and district level, including School Principal, Director of Federal Programs, and Executive Director of Elementary Schools. Laura is dedicated to improving the education experience for students learning a second language and enjoys traveling to new places and having exposure to other cultures. She currently lives in the New Orleans area.
Lily Jones is the founder of Educator Forever, where she empowers teachers to expand their impact beyond the classroom, and Educator Forever Agency, where she works with a team of educators to create inspiring curricula. Holding an MA in Education from UC Berkeley, Lily spent seven inspiring and exhausting years as a kindergarten and first-grade teacher, then left the classroom to work as a curriculum designer, instructional coach, and education consultant. In everything she does, Lily hopes to support kids to love learning and teachers to love teaching.
Loretta is a high school counselor at Idaho Virtual Academy. She began her journey as a college and career coordinator for the GEAR UP program in a brick-and-mortar school. She went on to complete her master's in school counseling and has been at IDVA for 5 years. Loretta loves collaborating with colleagues to create impactful opportunities for their students. Outside of work, she enjoys family time, horseback riding and diving into a good book. She lives in Idaho with her husband.
Marisa is currently a High School Geometry Teacher at Louisiana Virtual Charter Academy. She spent 13 years in the brick-and-mortar classroom, teaching Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra 2, and Engineering courses. Marisa is passionate about health and fitness and enjoys lifting weights and going on walks as often as possible. She also loves reading sci-fi and fantasy novels. She resides in Shreveport, Louisiana with her husband and two children.
Mike Dardaris is a versatile professional who has made a significant impact in the field of education. Currently serving as the Head of Education Business Development at Tallo, he brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the table. Mike's journey in education began as an instrumental music teacher at Fabius-Pompey Central School District. Over the years, he has held various roles, including that of building principal. One of his most notable achievements was as the founding principal of HFM P-tech, where he spearheaded the establishment of an award-winning public high school. This institution was dedicated to providing "at-risk" students with the unique opportunity to simultaneously earn their high school diploma and an AAS Associates college degree. Mike's dedication and leadership at P-tech earned him recognition as the 2018 New York State High School Principal of the Year. Under his guidance, HFM PTECH received accolades as one of the "Top 25 Most Innovative Schools in America" by the Successful Practices Network in 2018, and it was designated a "Model School" by the International Center for Leadership in 2016. In addition to his educational endeavors, Mike is a passionate drummer and percussionist. A graduate of the Crane School of Music, he currently dedicates his musical talents to Nashville recording artist Ryan Jewel. When he's not working with school districts to help students explore and connect to career and college opportunities, you can often find Mike on stage, supporting Ryan Jewel's newest album release. He continues to contribute to both education and the world of music, embodying the idea that one can excel in multiple domains and follow their passions with unwavering dedication. Mike currently lives in West Virginia with his wife, Stephanie, and his three college age children.
Michelle is currently a high school credit recovery math teacher at Ohio Virtual Academy. She began her career in 2005 teaching in a small county school and transitioned to a part-time college instructor before starting her new online teaching career in 2012 at Ohio Virtual Academy. Michelle loves to play guitar and performed in her first student recital back in October. She is a group fitness instructor at the local YMCA teaching spin/cycling classes and will be offering additional group fitness classes at another gym in town as well soon. She currently lives in Findlay with her husband Jeremy and her 1 1/2-year-old australian shepherd Cisco.
Monet Baker is an educator, instructional coach, and curriculum specialist with over 17 years experience in the field of education. Driven by her desire to see all students succeed, she takes pride in providing the best possible instructional support, curriculum and coaching to educators. As a curriculum and instructional specialist on the Stride Innovation team, she strives to provide innovative curriculum solutions that are personalized, engaging and sparks inspiration for students. She holds an M.A., Ed. in Secondary Education from the University of Phoenix as well as a National Board Teaching Certification and is currently working on her EDs in Curriculum and Instruction. Monet currently resides in Virginia Beach, Virginia with her husband and son.
Monica holds a PhD in Educational Leadership and Organizations and is currently a Custom Curriculum Manager at Stride. She has over 15 years of teaching experience and an earned certificate in UX Design. Monica is passionate about improving the education experience for all students. She enjoys spending time outdoors with her family.
Nancy is currently a middle school science teacher for North Carolina Virtual Academy. She began her career in education as a secondary science teacher over a decade ago in the brick-and-mortar setting and continues to be amazed by her students each day. Nancy enjoys reading science fiction and fantasy as well as catching the latest episodes of Doctor Who or Star Trek. She currently lives in North Carolina with her husband and two children.
Natalee has her Early Childhood Education degree with Special Education P-12 and Special Education content 6-8. She has been in the virtual education world for 10 years. Natalee spent most of her time in the Special Education world which is where her passion lies. She enjoy having the opportunity to make educational not only available for all students, but finding a way for all students to be able to enjoy their education.
Pam Sieger is a Portfolio Academic Administrator for schools in Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Arkansas. Previously, she was a Gifted teacher/coordinator at NMDCA in New Mexico for students in grades K-12 and a middle school English/ALP teacher for 9 years at a cyber charter school in Pennsylvania. Pam has a special interest and endorsement/certification in Gifted Education, and in Youth Mental Health Awareness. Pam works with Gifted/Advanced leaders and programming at K12 across the country advocating for students to reach their academic, social, and emotional needs and goals. Pam has a master's degree in Gifted Education from Millersville University, a master's degree in English Education from Edinboro University, and a bachelor's degree in Secondary Education English from Penn State University. She is a Khan Academy Ambassador, a Habits of Mind certified Practitioner, and a Youth Mental Health First Aid Certified Instructor. Pam also serves on the Awards Committee for the NAGC: National Association for Gifted Children.
Pam is currently a Math Content Specialist for Stride. She began her teaching career in 2014 in the brick-and-mortar setting, and transitioned to working for Stride in 2019, where she has dabbled in many different roles including math teacher, electives content coach, and math content specialist. Pam is passionate about mathematics education and strives to support all teachers and students in Stride. She also enjoys hiking, reading, drinking coffee, and spending time with the family. She currently lives in Wadsworth, OH with her husband, two boys, and three cats.
Rachel teaches Summit English 9 for Wisconsin Virtual Academy. After 1 year of teaching in a brick-and-mortar setting, she began her tenure at WIVA. This is her fourth year teaching virtually. In her class, Rachel seeks to help her students grow as thinkers, communicators, and individuals as they explore the human experience together. She lives in Beaver Dam, WI with her husband and a scrappy little mutt named Dobby.
Raquel Reynolds is a dedicated mom and military spouse who has a passion for teaching mathematics. In 2017, she enrolled her children in Arizona Virtual Academy and was impressed by the benefits of online schooling. This experience motivated her to pursue a career with Stride K12. After earning her Master's Degree in Mathematics Education from Northern Arizona University, Raquel became an in-person math tutor and advisor for Colorado Preparatory Academy. She later became a 6th-grade Math teacher at CPA before transitioning to a high school Math teacher at AZVA. Raquel is a strong advocate of YouCubed.org research and practices and believes that Math class should focus on learning rather than just performing. She actively encourages her students to try again and never give up on learning.
Dr. Ronda K. Cypret-Mahach is an accomplished educator and instructional leader dedicated to excellence in education. With an Ed.D. in Instructional Leadership from Lindenwood University, she brings a wealth of experience in K-12 education. Dr. Cypret-Mahach has conducted impactful research on teacher candidates' perceptions of virtual teaching and learning, led innovative course designs, and investigated the educational implications of COVID-19. Currently serving as the Department Head for Initial Teacher Education at the university, she spearheads initiatives for the development of future teachers. Her contributions include presentations, publications, and active participation in university service committees.
Roxanne is currently a Professor of Education at Hiram College and has served teacher education for 23 years. Prior to entering the teacher education world, Roxanne taught first grade and sixth grade (Language Arts) for 7 years in a rural public school district and has also served as a tutor and freelance curriculum writer. She loves gardening (flowers, vegetables, whatever!) and quilting. Roxanne, her husband and their now grown children are avid campers and hikers with the goal of camping in all 50 states.
Sabina Dallmeyer is currently working as a Math Interventionist with K12 where her students say she is a ‘safe space to struggle with math.’ She has enjoyed working in traditional classrooms with English Language Learners, struggling rural Algebra students, and virtual learners who wrestle with math anxiety. She has been known to turn a dinner conversation into a fractions lesson and is the most compassionate math teacher you will ever meet. Sabina lives to help people use their “toaster-strudel brain” to do math intuitively and live a life of passionate curiosity. This mom of 5 is currently working on a second master’s degree in Virtual Learning and probably reads too much peer-reviewed research, but it sure makes the kids fall asleep fast.
Sara is currently the Social Studies Content Specialist for Learning Solutions. She began her career in the brick-and-mortar setting 23 years ago and has spent the last 13 years in the online world as a Social Studies and ELA teacher, master teacher, and instructional coach. Sara is passionate about teacher leadership and collaboration and her mission is to support teachers' professional development, adaptability, and growth mindset. She resides in suburban Chicago with her family.
Sarah is currently the Senior Manager of Curriculum & Instruction for Career & College Readiness Education at K12. Over her 17 years in education, she has served as a classroom, intervention, and ESOL teacher as well as a literacy specialist and PBL support specialist. Sarah is passionate about equity in education and believes that all students deserve access high-quality, engaging learning experiences throughout their academic career. In her free time, she enjoys reading and playing games with her family and friends.
Sherita Wells is an Academic Support Team Teacher. She has a B.S. in Education with two certifications, Early Childhood Education (P-3) and Elementary Education (K-6). She has a master’s degree in Elementary Education and Certification in Instructional/Educational Leadership(K-12). Sherita began her teaching career in brick-and-mortar setting; after 6 years, she transitioned to the virtual setting. She is passionate about curriculum and teaching, strives to support all teachers and students, and enjoys reading.
Tara is a graduate student at Western Governor's University pursuing her M.ED in Education Technologies & Instructional Design. In her former roles as Elementary and Secondary Art Teacher, she is distinguished in virtual instruction. Tara is passionate about creating enduring connections and strives to inspire teachers and staff through eLearning experiences. Tara was born in Philadelphia, PA and currently lives with her spouse and two children in Phoenix, Arizona.
Tara is the Founder and CEO of Houston Consulting Group & Associates, LLC. She began her career teaching high school English; and in 4 years, she transitioned to many different roles including Special Education Coordinator, middle school assistant principal, college professor, and educational consultant. Tara is dedicated to advocating for the voiceless in academic settings, working to counteract bias and mitigate its adverse effects on historically marginalized communities in education. She currently lives in Woodbridge, Virginia with her husband, Michael, their four sons, and their miniature schnauzer.
Vicki Fritz is a Coordinator of Gifted Education for Florida Cyber Charter Academy. Previously, she spent 10 years teaching Gifted students in Ohio, North Carolina, and Florida. She also was a technology integration coach in a one to one laptop initiative for elementary and middle school students.
Vicki has a Bachelors' degree in elementary and middle school education. A Master's Degree in Gifted Education and Technology Integration. She has an interest in student choice and strives to include student driven educational practices in the classroom.
Will Plump's pursuit of a life in education began with teaching elementary special ed in the Philadelphia suburbs. With a Masters degree in Special Education and several years of classroom experience, he branched out into the world of edtech after seeing the positive impact new technology can have on student achievement. Since joining Stride 3 years ago, Will has worked closely with the K-5 curriculum team to update elementary course content. He is currently managing Stride's Learning Innovation team. Will loves the opportunity to provide students with groundbreaking, engaging, and effective learning content in new ways!
Yaw Owusu-Akyaw is a Stride, K12 Special Education Teacher for the Indiana Digital Learning School. He has worked in the field of education for over nine years. Yaw began his career as a Middle School teacher in the brick-and-mortar school setting. He has been a Lead Preschool Teacher, a Learning Center Instructor, and a K12 Master Teacher. Yaw is passionate about using Gamification concepts to evoke students' learning potential. He enjoys playing video games, watching Anime, cycling, traveling, and making YouTube videos.
Yolanda is currently an educator of English for High School Seniors. She has spent the last 13 years working in the virtual school environment transitionally from an educator to Director of Professional Development. Her roles included curriculum development, LMS development, Instructional Design, Organizational Structure, Accountability Tracking & Reporting, among several other roles. Yolanda is passionate about life experiences that are meaningful and adventurous in all aspects of her life. She is a a future thinker with organization and planning always on her mind for life and for career. She currently resides in Oklahoma with "fernweh" in her heart, so she travels extensively when the opportunity arrives.
Joel Medley is the Director of the Stride Professional Development Center. His experience to coach educators through leadership development has extended from traditional school settings to charter schools and even online education.
Darren Reed has over three decades of public and private sector teaching and executive leadership experience. He currently serves as Senior Executive and business leader of the Stride Professional Development Center for Stride, Inc. (Formerly K12, Inc.) Reed has served in various leadership capacities within Stride including Senior Vice President/General Manager, where he held top line accountability for 21 online and blended school programs across eleven states. In this role, Darren developed growth strategies for existing schools and expansion into new states. Reed has also held roles as Vice President of School Leadership Development and Vice President of Blended Schools at K12, Inc. where he improved school and regional leadership effectiveness and designed innovative school models in Chicago, San Francisco, and San Jose, CA. These early blended school models helped shape school reform and design initiatives, expanding how technology is leveraged to increase learning options to meet the needs of all students. From 2012-2014, Reed served as the Executive Director at New Leaders for New Schools where he led the organization's flagship Aspiring Principals Program (APP) through comprehensive redesign that led to improved leader identification, training, and assessment. Reed's contribution helped expand the nation's next generation of leaders to transform schools in our nation's most under-served communities.
As the Head of Product for Emerging Products at Stride, Sunny is at the forefront of AI-driven technologies, with over a decade of experience in digital product management. She is passionate about creating customer-centric solutions and excels in leading the development of emerging products, particularly in pioneering AI foundations that could revolutionize student learning through Generative AI. Sunny is proficient in product strategy and user experience, with a strong understanding of business and technology in artificial intelligence. Before joining Stride, Sunny's leadership experience at companies like Density, Mapbox, and OpenText resulted in notable product innovations. She is dedicated to promoting innovation, continuous learning, and making a positive impact at the intersection of technology, human-centric products, and education.
Amy is a Learning Development Specialist at Stride, creating engaging and impactful learning experiences for teachers and leaders. Beginning her career in the brick-and-mortar setting, she quickly became interested in online education in its earliest stages. This interest led her to an opportunity to review online courses in Texas, eventually bringing Amy to Stride, where she began teaching in 2018. Amy continues to be at the forefront of embracing educational technology as she explores how AI can be an educational tool benefiting teachers and students. Amy has co-authored a series of AI newsletters for schools and two AI courses for educators.
John R. Jenkins is an educational leader who believes every school can improve its capacity to teach all students if there is a strong, competent, transformational leader at the helm. He currently serves in the role of Chief Program and Implementation Officer, to which he brings 33 years of experience. In this role, John leads the largest division in the organization in the design, delivery and evaluation of New Leaders’ comprehensive program catalog of leadership development solutions in partner districts and CMOs across the country. Each engagement is aligned with local priorities and designed to dramatically improve schools and student achievement, galvanizing district partners and community leaders to invest in school leadership.
The past 33 years of his career has been devoted to developing and sharing his passion for urban education as a Teacher, Facilitator and Administrator in New York Public Schools. Before joining New Leaders, he served as National Vice President of Programs of School Leaders Network where he led a national team to develop strong learning communities for aspiring and experienced leaders. Dr. Jenkins also served as the Instructional Program Manager for the Diploma Plus New York City Network of schools where he provided coaching and support to Principals and school leadership teams in implementing the Diploma Plus instructional model.
Dr. Jenkins, is an internationally certified Diversity Practitioner through National Training Laboratories (NTL) and American University. He has traveled internationally facilitating diversity, social justice and anti-oppression work and providing executive coaching across the Education, Non-Profit and Corporate sectors. Dr. Jenkins served as faculty member of the Diversity Practitioner Certificate Program, an 18 month, 7-course intensive that provided training and coaching for Chief Diversity Officers, Organizational Development (OD) Practitioners and Government Leaders. Clients included Shell Oil, Raytheon, Outback Steakhouse and the National Education Association (NEA). His work is rooted in exploring the impact of power, privilege and oppression on urban education systems and the students and communities they serve. He also supports school and system leaders in looking at their full schools as dynamic organizations and utilizes theory and practice from the organizational development field to support group and system interventions and individual coaching towards school/system improvement. Dr. Jenkins has also served on the faculty of Mercy College’s New Teacher Residency Program and New York University’s Ed.D Administrative Leadership Program.
Dr. Jenkins was a founding member of the board of the International Leadership Charter High School, one of the highest performing charter high schools in New York State. He is also a member of the Alumni Board of Directors of the University at Albany, part of the State University of New York system.
Dr. Jenkins holds an Ed.D. in Education Administration from New York University.
Niyoka McCoy is Stride’s Chief Learning Officer, she has decades of experience building strong academic programs, driving initiatives that promote academic equity, and creating professional development opportunities for teachers and school leaders. Prior to her current role, she served as Stride’s Chief Academic Officer and Senior Vice President of Academic Services. In these positions, Niyoka—in partnership with the Regional Vice Presidents of Academics—led a suite of programs and initiatives that tracked and supported achievement and growth among students, administrators, and school leaders. She also managed the Academic Services organization, which included the assessment, special programs, accountability, counseling, and talent development teams. Niyoka, a published author and former teacher, earned a bachelor’s degree from Spelman College, a master’s degree in education from Mercer University, and a doctoral degree in curriculum and instruction from Capella University.
Sheldon L. Eakins, Ph.D., is the Founder of the Leading Equity Center. Dr. Eakins is also the host of The Art of Advocacy Livestream and the Leading Equity Podcast. Furthermore, Dr. Eakins is the author of Leading Equity: Becoming an Advocate for All Students. With over 15 years in education, he has served as a teacher, school principal, adjunct professor, and Director of Special Education. Sheldon Eakins is passionate about helping educators accomplish equitable practices in their schools. He has earned a B.S. degree in Social Science Education, an M.S. degree in Educational Leadership, and a Ph.D. in K-12 Education.
Yolanda "Lana" Conaway is the Assistant Superintendent of Equity and Student Affairs, where she plays a pivotal role in overseeing a broad spectrum of critical areas in education. Her portfolio includes the management of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, student support services, and strategic initiatives and operations. Lana led the development of the System-wide Integrated Framework for School Transformation (SWIFT) and spearheaded a communitywide racial equity challenge that engaged over 2000 community members. Lana's educational background is both extensive and impressive. She is an alumnus of the College of William & Mary, where she completed her Bachelor's and master's level certification in educational leadership. Lana also reached doctoral candidacy in Educational Policy, Planning, and Leadership at the College of William and Mary. Her commitment to education and leadership extends to her current pursuit of a doctorate in Higher Education Leadership. Lana is also certified as a DEI Master Practitioner through the DEI Leadership Institute. With a career spanning over two decades in education, Lana has been a transformative figure. She has dedicated herself to creating and implementing numerous programs to advance equity and provide essential resources to families and communities. Her work reflects a deep commitment to ensuring that educational environments are inclusive, supportive, and conducive to the growth and well-being of every student. Lana's leadership and initiatives in these areas have made significant contributions to the field of education, particularly in enhancing the experiences and opportunities for students from diverse backgrounds.
The heart of a man is evident in his works. Dr. Steve Perry has spent his career working to show his heart by improving the lives of those in need. Beginning his career as a director of a homeless shelter on through starting schools in Connecticut and New York, Dr. Perry has developed an international reputation for fighting for Black and Latin kids. His work game national acclaim in the 2010 doc you series, CNN’s Black in America 2. There we saw Dr. Perry as a principal, picking his children up at 4:45 and bringing them to school. The next time we saw him on television, it was in TVOne’s, Save My Son. Most known for his work in education, Dr. Steve Perry has boldly stood in the gap, demanding access to quality education for Black and Latin children. His will to fight teachers unions and those protecting the status quo, has made him a hero to many who understand that our children need courageous leaders. Dr. Perry is also an author and orator who has traveled the country, speaking the gospel of hope to children and families. He knows that when we believe in our children, they respond by believing in themselves. His appearances on CNN, MSNBC, Fox News, Al Jazeera, and a host of other television networks, including , the Oprah Winfrey network and Al Jazeera offer insights into how we can and must forever change the ways we educate.
Joshua Goodall is a U.S. History and Economics teacher for Ohio Digital Learning School. After receiving his M.A. in History from James Madison University and an M.Ed. from Ohio University, he pursued one of his longstanding goals to create historical instruction for the modern, virtual classroom. With the recent progress in artificial intelligence, he has become increasingly interested in the morals and uses of AI in education.
Cindy Wright joined K12 in 2005. Over her 30-year career, Cindy has been a teacher, administrator, and, more recently, Vice President of School Services, overseeing programs in Ohio, Colorado, and Utah. Her focus remains on innovation, community engagement, and leadership development. She has consistently driven educational excellence throughout her career, reflecting her commitment to realizing learner potential through high standards. Her experience continues to support limitless, personalized learning opportunities.
Kristen Schuh Tyagi is the Executive Director of the National Coalition for Public School Options (PSO), a national alliance of parents that supports and defends parents’ rights to access the best public school options for their children.
In her previous role with PSO, Kristen served as Communications Director where she led the development of communications strategies to help advance PSO’s mission, including through advertising, social media and media outreach.
Prior to joining PSO, Kristen spent more than a decade in public affairs, serving as director of public affairs at Purple Strategies and as associate vice president of strategic communications at DDC Public Affairs. In both positions, Kristen led the development and execution of award-winning communications and advocacy campaigns on behalf of Fortune 100 companies, national trade organizations and non-profits.
Kristen is a native of Ohio and earned her BA in political science from Washington & Jefferson College in Washington, PA. She currently resides in Arlington, VA with her husband and young daughter. In her free time, Kristen enjoys taking fitness classes, cooking and hiking with her two rescue dogs.
Our registration has closed for the 2024 Promising Practices but please save the date for the 2025 Promising Practices on February 28th, 2025!