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Presenters

A great mix of professional speakers who love to share ideas!

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

Jack Berckemeyer A gifted motivator, Jack is a nationally recognized presenter, award-winning educator, humorist, and author of Managing Madness: A Practical Guide to Middle Grades Classrooms. He’s credited with having uncanny insight into the nature of the young adolescent and revered for his practical teaching ideas.

Dave Burgess Dave’s trademark is his outrageously energetic style—at the podium, in the classroom, and on stage as a stand-up comedy magician. This award-winning high school teacher challenges audiences to shake up their classrooms with imagination and engagement. His secret weapon for reaching hard-to-reach and unmotivated students? You got it – showmanship and creativity.

Debbie Diller Debbie Diller—35 years as an educator and still going strong! She’s done it all—served as a classroom teacher, Title I reading specialist, migrant education teacher, literacy coach, and national consultant. The author of Literacy Work Stations and several other titles, she wows audiences with her 21st century techniques for differentiated instruction, literacy, and small-group instruction.

Dr. Jean Feldman Dr. Jean Feldman has been inspiring students and teachers for more than four decades. Her workshops are fun, creative, entertaining, and full of practical ideas. An experienced classroom teacher, Dr. Jean has an M.A. in Early Childhood and a Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction. She is a member of the National Association for the Education of Young Children, the National Kindergarten Alliance, and the International Reading Association.

Jane Felling Nearly 30 years ago, Jane began her career as a classroom teacher. Today, she’s an amazing presenter and go-to source of games and activities that teach and are tied to state and national curriculum standards. Jane is the founder of Box Cars & One-Eyed Jacks and co-author of all 14 books in the Box Cars & One-Eyed Jacks teacher resource series as well as both Domino Games teacher resource series.

John Felling In nearly 30 years as an educator, John has never completely left the classroom, and it shows. He fully understands the concerns of today’s teachers. His additional experience as a principal and a mentor/trainer of new and aspiring principals makes his message even more relevant. John is the co-owner of Box Cars & One-Eyed Jacks and author of Daily Physical Education—“No Sweat” for Classroom Teachers.

Jana Hazekamp As a pioneer in the adaptation of Singapore Math to American math curricula, Jana brings a uniquely experienced perspective to her presentations. She is passionate about teaching mathematics and for most of her 20+ year career has focused on the teaching and learning process of students in grades 1-3. Jana is the author of the popular teaching resource, Why Before How: Singapore Math Computation Strategies.

Robert Hudson Known for his positive energy and humor, Robert is the director of training for two mental health facilities where he works with children with autism and other mental health challenges. The author of The Center of the Wheel, his creative approach to problem-solving makes him a popular speaker, especially among teachers who work with challenging students.

Toby Karten Toby has been instructing learners in the field of special education since 1976. She has served as a staff developer, mentor, resource teacher, adjunct professor, author, math coach, and consultant for populations of learners ranging from kindergarten to adult levels. Recognized by both the Council for Exceptional Children and the New Jersey Department of Education as an exemplary educator, Toby has received two “Teacher of the Year” awards. With a collaborative and informal presentation style, her interactive and insightful workshops and keynote presentations have reached audiences of administrators, teacher educators, pre-service teachers, general and special education teachers, paraprofessionals, and families who walk away renewed with spirited inclusion strategies. Toby’s continuing passion is for educators to prepare students to enter inclusive societies as productive adults. Toby is the author of the popular book Inclusion Strategies That Work!

Ignacio Lopez, Ed.D. Ignacio is widely regarded as an expert on understanding new teachers and differentiating instruction in high needs and turnaround schools. He’s also a compelling voice on culturally responsive teaching and parent-community school partnerships. He’s a former English, reading, and AVID teacher, and high school instructional leader. Powerful, humorous, and real-world – that’s Ignacio in a nutshell.

Katherine McKnight, Ph.D. Katie began her career over 20 years ago as a Chicago public high school English teacher. Today, she is a nationally recognized expert in adolescent literacy, inclusive classrooms, common core standards, and integrating technology in the 21st century classroom. Her work brings her to schools and classrooms all over the United States where she shares proven, practical models and strategies that develop the literacy skills of all students. Katie has published seven books that offer teaching and learning strategies for engaging all learners in reading and writing for the 21st century. Her titles include the best selling The Teacher’s Big Book of Graphic Organizers and Hands-On Grammar.

Rita Pierson, Ed.D. For four decades, Rita’s been a professional educator—including a classroom teacher, special education teacher, principal, counselor, testing coordinator, and she’s a Licensed Professional counselor. A true innovator, she developed and implemented a school/community involvement program for a large urban elementary school and organized and trained an in-school crisis team for students in need of immediate intervention.

Jody Polleck, Ph.D. Jody is a National Board Certified teacher and a highly sought-after presenter. She was a high school teacher for struggling readers, outreach counselor for runaway teenagers, teacher trainer, curriculum developer, and literacy coach. She brings her front-line experience and energy to every session. Her motivational, tell-it-like-it-is approach is refreshing and always well received.

Laureen Reynolds Laureen is an experienced classroom teacher and best-selling author. She takes pride in offering teachers practical ideas, engaging activities, and simple management techniques designed to increase students’ interest and independence as learners. Laureen is co-author of the popular book Number Facts and Jumping Jacks.

Monte Selby, Ed.D. Monte’s distinctive work is internationally applauded. He is a popular keynote speaker, co-author of six books including the popular title, Bricks and Bridges: Bridging the Gap to At-Risk Students, columnist, and songwriter/recording artist with five critically acclaimed albums. Monte’s comical and insightful music (featured on network television, radio, podcasts, stage productions, and videos) is cultivated from an award-winning career as a teacher, principal, and professor.

Cheryl Sigmon Cheryl has been an educator for 30 years as a classroom teacher, a Department of Education language arts consultant, and currently as a seminar presenter, trainer, and consultant in schools and districts around the US, Europe and the Middle East. She is co-author and author of numerous professional books on literacy including Just-Right Comprehension Mini-Lessons.

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

Greg Tang Greg comes from a diverse career background from healthcare to multimedia to physical fitness. Today, the author of the Grapes of Math, Math Appeal, and Math Fables is actively working to develop intuitive approaches to teaching math.

Marcia Tate, Ed.D. During her 30-year career with the DeKalb County School System in Georgia, Marcia has been a classroom teacher, reading specialist, language arts coordinator, and executive director of professional development. A sought-after educational consultant, Marcia uses the 20 strategies outlined in her books to actively engage her audiences. Marcia is the author of the popular book Shouting Won’t Grow Dendrites: 20 Techniques for Managing a Brain-Compatible Classroom.

Becky Thomasson, Ed.D. Becky is a sought-after international keynote speaker and trainer and the author of A Practical Approach to Using Learning Styles in Math Instruction and Patterns for Hands-on Learning. A dedicated educator, she has served as a classroom teacher, principal, Chapter I curriculum coordinator, and district director of an early childhood program.

Bev Wirt-Andrews Bev speaks with passion from experience and the heart. She’s a dedicated first-grade teacher and former reading specialist who proudly shares her students’ successes and the strategies she used to achieve them. Bev is the co-author of Discovering What Works for Struggling Readers: Journeys of Explorations with Primary-Grade Students.

Tammy Worcester Tammy has had 25 years of education experience, both in and out of the classroom. A school technology expert, she has developed numerous software applications for teachers and is the author of several best-selling technology resource books including Tammy’s Favorite Technology Tips, Tricks, & Tools. Tammy’s experiences as a parent, a teacher, a technology director, and a training specialist have enabled her to collaborate with other educators to build models of effective technology implementation that have the potential to truly transform schools.

Rutherford County Practitioners

Angie Baker-Templeton, Thurman Francis Arts Academy
Andrea Bontempi, RCS
Rebecca Bragg Cogdal, LaVergne Primary School
Adam Brooks, Thurman Francis Arts Academy
Cindy Cliché, McFadden School of Excellence
Vonda Coble, Thurman Francis Arts Academy
Kathy Daugherty, Smyrna Elementary School
Robert Drake, Smyrna High School
Melinda Fleischer, Christiana Middle School
Jessica Frantz, Oakland Middle School
Kelly Garner, Smyrna Elementary School
Janelle Gehrke, Thurman Francis Arts Academy
Amy Gullion, Stewarts Creek Elementary School
Dulcie Heim, Oakland Middle School
Sharron Hofer, LaVergne Middle School
Shannon Holland, LaVergne Primary School
Daniella Hooper, Blackman High School
Tyson Hoppe, Cedar Grove Elementary School
Laurie Kincaid, Wilson Elementary School
Shawn Lee, Blackman Middle School
Jill Lester, Smyrna Elementary School
April Littlepage, Wilson Elementary School
Sarah Moran, Barfield Elementary School
Jeannie Nicholson, Eagleville School
Collin Olson, Smyrna High School
Johnna Paraiso, RCS
Monte Parks, Rock Springs Middle School
Lydia Patterson, Kittrell Elementary School
Jennifer Patterson, Lavergne Lake Elementary School
Kyle Prince, Central Academic Magnet School
Sandy Rogers, Oakland High School
Jonathan Russell, Blackman Middle School
Tara Sanders, Stewarts Creek Elementary School
Jonathan Sutton, Blackman High School
Rachel Taylor, Barfield Elementary School
Chara Webster, Oakland Middle School
Kevin Whittington, RCS
Richard Wood, Lavergne Lake Elementary School