2019 Extra Yard for Teachers Summit Program

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Championing Great Classroom Leaders The College Football Playoff (CFP) Foundation is the charitable arm of the College Football Playoff, supporting education across the country. The CFP Foundation’s primary platform, Extra Yard for Teachers, elevates the teaching profession by inspiring and empowering teachers through the implementation of programs in four focus areas: resources, recognition, recruitment and professional development. The CFP Foundation utilizes multiple partnerships to execute its initiatives and support positive educational outcomes.

The Extra Yard for Teachers Summit is a fast-paced gathering of teachers coming together to hear inspiring speakers and incredible performances who are all there for one reason: to recognize the hard work of those on the front lines of educating our youth.

@CFPExtraYard #ExtraYardSummit #CFPExtraYard 2

Welcome!

Thanks for being here to share in the Extra Yard for Teachers Summit.

All too often, we take teachers for granted. This weekend is an opportunity to change that narrative and put you — the people who are in the classroom day in and day out — center stage so that we can celebrate all of the amazing contributions you make to our childrens’ futures.

We recognize that each time you stand in front of your students you are giving a little bit of yourself. Your time, your energy and your passion all combine to make a difference, one student at a time. Teaching is a passion profession, and we are passionate about honoring and recognizing you.

All of this is possible because of the creation of the College Football Playoff National Championship. As we looked at the landscape around the national championship game, we realized we had an opportunity to give back to the communities that support the studentathletes, teams and schools that participate in the playoff series. And what better way to do that than to give in honor of the teachers who provided the support for student-athletes along the way.

We hope this weekend’s event will energize and inspire you as you head back from winter break. There isn’t a policy or pedagogy agenda; rather, we invite you to enjoy a weekend of incredible speakers who are all coming together to recognize you and your career in the classroom. Which means that you are just as important as any of the people in the room.

We hope you will engage, meet new people, participate in different activations and enjoy the festivities.

Britton Banowsky Executive Director College Football Playoff Foundation

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Table of Contents About CFP Foundation and Extra Yard for Teachers

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Welcome Letter

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About The Extra Yard for Teachers Summit

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Summit Event Map

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Summit Schedule / January 5

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Summit Schedule / January 6

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Workshop Descriptions / January 5

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Workshop Descriptions / January 6

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Speaker Biographies / January 5

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Speaker Biographies / January 6

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Our Partners

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The Extra Yard for Teachers Summit Saturday, January 5 & Sunday, January 6, 2019 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

The Extra Yard for Teachers Summit is a FREE, VIP event designed to inspire and empower educators. You, your family, and any of your friends are invited to come hang out in the Summit – just show your Teacher ID for access. It’s a place to find your tribe and celebrate teaching.

Grab a friend, enjoy a chair massage, and explore all that the Summit and our partners have to offer. We programmed the social spaces as a “choose-your-own-adventure” with loads of activations and ways to engage, or quiet spaces to catch your breath.

Discovery Stage Want to listen to some amazing speakers share their experiences? Pop in to the Discovery Stage at the Summit to hear from education rock stars, explorers, and celebrities. Check out the schedule in the pages that follow. Talks happen sporadically throughout the weekend.

Workshops We have workshops scheduled at 10:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m., and 4:30 p.m. both Saturday and Sunday. Please check out the workshop descriptions on the following pages and make plans to join! Workshops are first-come, first-served and have limited capacity. Please check with the concierge if you have questions.

Dos Equis Happy Hour 4 p.m. – 6 p.m.

Grab a beverage (Dos Equis product will be available while supplies last; cash bars to follow) and keep exploring the Social Spaces.

Swag & Giveaways

All-Weekend Giveaways Including $500 DonorsChoose.org Gift Cards!

Activations & Exhibits

by Over 20 Education Partners

Relaxing Chair Massages

Fun Photo Booth

Live DJ Spinning Beats

Special Guest Appearances

Opportunities to Share Your Teaching Stories

FREE Chick-fil-A Sandwiches & Dr Pepper

And More Interactive Experiences!

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Workshop Descriptions Saturday, January 5, 2019

10:30 a.m.

– 12:00 p.m.

Engaging with ASCD – Elevating Your Teacher Voice Presented By: Aman Dhanda, Layla Allahverdi Herrera, MacKenzie Masten Hosted By: ASCD ASCD is dedicated to excellence in learning, teaching, and leading so that every child is healthy, safe, engaged, supported, and challenged. This session explores ASCD’s initiatives, tools, and STEAM resources that empower educators as leaders in the classroom, school, and broader professional community in preparing students to thrive in our diverse, interconnected world. Get tips from ASCD staff on how to build your Professional Learning Network and contribute your expertise to ASCD programs, products, and services.

10:30 a.m.

– 12:00 p.m.

STEAM Learning Enhances Student Engagement Presented By: Dr. Kenneth Wesson Hosted By: School Specialty, Inc. The major goals of this workshop will be to: describe STEAM learning; engage the audience in “what STEAM can look like in your classroom,”; and demonstrate how these materials engage students in thinking scientifically as they learn the basic principles of design and engineering.

12:30 p.m.

– 2:00 p.m.

Igniting Your STEM Strengths Through Play Presented By: Traci J. Buckner Hosted By: ASCD Ever wonder if you have what it takes to engage in the STEM world? Not necessarily the techie-type but feel compelled to keep up in a STEM-centric society? No matter where you find yourself on the STEM spectrum, this workshop will immerse you in an engaging activity while igniting 21st Century Literacy skills everyone needs in today’s fast-paced society. You will explore ways to assess and strengthen your or your learners’ 21st Century literacy in the following areas: Information and Media Literacy; Interpersonal, Collaboration and Communication Skills; Self-Directional Skills; Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving Skills. Prepare to get your hands a little dirty and have some fun during this workshop experience.

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Workshop Descriptions Saturday, January 5, 2019

12:30 p.m.

– 2:00 p.m.

Transform your Students into Builders and Makers Presented by: Erica Barrueto and Esmeralda Tovar Hosted by: The Tech Museum of Innovation Curious how to incorporate engineering and design into your classroom? Worried about standards connections, classroom chaos, and materials management? In this engaging hands-on workshop, you’ll experience firsthand the engineering design process with a fun design challenge, then hear about tips and tricks for classroom and materials management (as well as our deeply developed, tested and researched methodology). Walk away with great resources for everything from planning to implementing to assessing design challenges. Teachers of all grade levels welcome!

2:30 p.m.

– 4:00 p.m.

Amplifying Educator and Student Voices with TED Presented By: Ashley Kolaya and Stephanie Ng Hosted by: TED-Ed What happens when educators share their best ideas with each other? TED Masterclass is an online program designed to help educators share their best ideas in the form of TED-style talks. Join us for an interactive session that will help you discover and tell your best story. In addition, you will learn how you can implement those practices with your students.

2:30 p.m.

– 4:00 p.m.

Self-Care, Stress Management, and Burnout Prevention in Education Presented By: Dr. Peggy Mitchell Clarke Hosted By: School Specialty, Inc. Avoiding burnout requires a commitment to regular stress management, self-care, and leading a balanced life. When it comes to burnout, prevention is the best approach. This workshop will examine common sources of stress, the stress response, signs of stress, and the importance of self-care and social support. Burnout and compassion fatigue will also be addressed along with the lifestyle, work, and personality factors that contribute to burnout. Participants will learn stress management tools such as time-use analysis, mindfulness, and cognitive restructuring, and will practice simple and effective stress reduction techniques such as progressive muscle relaxation, breathing exercises, and guided imagery. Why should you attend: Chronic stress can lead to physical problems such as headaches, stomach aches, and insomnia. If not addressed effectively, stress can lead to burnout, which is emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion. High employee turnover and absenteeism are two signs of workplace burnout.

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Workshop Descriptions Saturday, January 5, 2019

4:30 p.m.

– 6:00 p.m.

Character Development Presented By: Doreen Hassan Hosted By: YMCA of Silicon Valley Character Development has been a key element of our Y’s approach to working with youth for more 152 years in San Jose. Building on our core values of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility, YMCA programs use the latest science and research to support the healthy development of youth. Character Development is the process through which youth develop and integrate a set of values, skills, attitudes, and behaviors that allow them to operate successfully and responsibly in learning, work and life. We know that the environments and interactions young people have with adults are essential to their character development. With this in mind, the Y has adopted “Five Adult Practice Areas” to support character development in youth: Emotion Management, Empathy, Relationship Building, Responsibility, and Personal Development. Come learn more about strategies and tactics to improve the social and emotional well-being of the youth through character development.

4:30 p.m.

– 6:00 p.m.

How Informal Education Can Be Leveraged for Teacher Professional Development Presented By: Jesse Lovejoy, Sofy Navarro, and Bronwen Phillips Hosted By: 49ers STEM Leadership Institute 49ers EDU will explain how it uses its STEAM-based field trip curriculum as an incubator for ideas to bring back into the classroom. 49ers EDU currently runs a free professional development program serving hundreds of educators each year.

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Workshop Descriptions Sunday, January 6, 2019

10:30 a.m.

– 12:00 p.m.

Kelp Forest Engineering Presented By: Joey Scott and Katy Noelle Scott Hosted By: The Monterey Bay Aquarium Travel back to the founding of the Monterey Bay Aquarium, when engineers and aquarists had a major problem to solve – how to build the first living kelp forest exhibit in the world. Take on the role of engineers and build prototype solutions for this real-world engineering challenge. Ideal for students in grade 3-8, take this lesson back to your classroom and engage your students in an authentic engineering problem that integrates life and physical sciences. We’ll also share our free, NGSS-connected Kelp Forest eBook and video game.

10:30 a.m.

– 12:00 p.m.

Getting Started with CS First Presented By: Karen Parker and Janelle Lam Hosted By: Google for Education In this hands-on 90 minute professional development workshop, teachers will learn how to use CS First, Google’s free ready-to-teach introductory computer science (CS) curriculum for elementary and middle school students. During the workshop, teachers will review the CS First curriculum and test drive a CS First class from a student and teacher perspective. Teachers will walk away with a plan of action and strategies for starting to teach CS First in their classrooms. Most importantly, teachers will join the growing community of CS First educators from around the world. This session will be co-lead with Janelle Lam who has been a teacher for 14 years. She currently teaches 1st grade part time in the Cambrian school district. When she isn’t teaching Janelle serves as a Teacher on Special Assignment for Educational Technology, helping TK-8th grade teachers integrate technology into their classrooms.

12:30 p.m.

– 2:00 p.m.

STEAM Powered: Engage, Do, Conceptualize Presented By: Tami Fitzgerald Hosted By: NBPTS Pique students’ interest while building creative and logical thinking skills that lead to deeper conceptual understanding, especially in the area of physical science. In this interactive session, participants will work through student inquiry, modeling, and other activities that will engage students. This session will have something for all grade levels, K-12. Bring your family. It will be fun for all. Come with a willingness to inspire learning; leave with strategies and tools to make it happen. Presented by National Board Certified Teachers and sponsored by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards.

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Workshop Descriptions Sunday, January 6, 2019

2:30 p.m.

– 4:00 p.m.

Unlocking Learning: Math as a Lever for English Learner Equity Presented By: Rachel Ruffalo Hosted By: Education Trust-West Join The Education Trust-West to learn promising practices for advancing math learning for English learners.

Participants will learn about what research says works best for effectively serving English learners, as well as practice instructional strategies to cultivate academic language mastery in mathematics. Participants will leave with instructional resources and recommendations for school and district level practices to advance access and equity.

2:30 p.m.

– 4:00 p.m.

Sugar Bowl Science of Football Program – Using Football to Teach STEM Presented By: Daren Heaton and Dr. Ricardo Valeri Hosted By: Science of Sport The Science of Sport is a non-profit organization that develops STEM curriculum using sports examples and provides educational programming for schools throughout the country. During the workshop, we will discuss how we have developed a strategic partnership with the Allstate Sugar Bowl and the CFP Foundation to develop curriculum, host professional development workshops for teachers, and run camps for students.

Teachers who attend will participate in an interactive workshop learning about some of the lessons included in the Sugar Bowl Science of Football program. Overall, participants will walk away with multiple ways to use football examples to teach STEM in the classroom.

4:30 p.m.

– 6:00 p.m.

Building Machines that Emulate Humans Presented By: Belen Guzman Hosted By: Microsoft Workshop participants will build robotic models from cardboard and straws to understand the anatomy and biomechanics of the human hand. Then, they will also conduct trials visualizing data in Excel to generate new ideas for improving its performance.

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Speaker Biographies January 5, 2019

Erica Barrueto Erica began work in the museum field in 2001 to share her love of science with others, but she soon came to see science and engineering as a way to empower young people and adults to trust their own abilities to create and think critically. It is a passion of hers to inspire the same spark in educators and to bring them

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together to share their experiences and expertise. She has worked with after-school educators, teachers in Grades Pre-K through 12, and museum educators regionally, nationally, and internationally in all areas of STEM and in reflective practice. Erica has a bachelor’s degree in molecular and cell biology from U.C. Berkeley.

Website: TheTech.org

Twitter: @TheTechMuseum

Instagram: @TheTechMuseum

Peggy Brookins Former NBPTS Board member Peggy Brookins, NBCT, joined the National Board as Executive Vice President in December 2014, and is currently the President and CEO. Her long career as an educator includes many national leadership positions and accolades. In July 2014, President Barack Obama named Brookins as a

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member of the President’s Advisory Commission on Educational Excellence for African Americans. She joins the National Board from the Engineering and Manufacturing Institute of Technology at Forest High School in Ocala, Florida, which she co-founded in 1994 and where she served as director and as a mathematics instructor. Brookins achieved her certification in Adult and Young Adolescent Mathematics in 2003 and renewed in 2013. She is a graduate of the University of Florida and was inducted into the University of Florida Hall of Fame, is a Florida Education Association “Everyday Hero,” and received the association’s Excellence in Teaching Award. In 2013, Brookins was named a 2013 Aspen Ideas Festival Scholar.

Website: NBPTS.org

Facebook: @TheNBPTS

Instagram: @NBPTS

Social: @PBrookins44

Traci J. Buckner A distinguished educational leader and author, Traci Buckner is executive director at Akron Children’s Museum, a vibrant, interactive space located in the heart of downtown Akron designed for children to learn through play. Buckner joined Akron Children’s Museum after 18 years of service in the Akron Public School

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Discovery Stage

system and most recently as program officer at GAR Foundation, the largest private charitable foundation in Akron, Ohio where she worked to advance the foundation’s strategic funding priorities through grant-making and convening. She is the founding instructional leader of the National Inventors Hall of Fame School, Center for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Learning, and most recently served as Director of Specialty Programs where she led the district’s efforts to expand STEM best practices throughout Akron Public schools and to develop and direct innovation efforts in the district’s non-traditional schools. She also co-authored the book STEM Leadership, a guide on creating a STEM culture in a school or district.

Photo Credit: Shane Wynn

Website: TraciBuckner.org / ASCD.org Twitter: @ASCD / @TraciJoyBuckner

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Instagram: @OfficialASCD / @TBuckner

Speaker Biographies January 5, 2019

Dr. Peggy Mitchell Clarke Dr. Peggy Mitchell Clarke is a clinical psychologist and consultant with almost three decades of combined experience in mental health, higher education, publishing, and media. Earning her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Brown University, and her Master’s and Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the University

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of Virginia, Peggy began her professional career as a psychotherapist in a community mental health center where she worked with clients with severe, chronic mental illness. She has also worked in a wide variety of other inpatient and outpatient settings, including a state psychiatric hospital and an Employee Assistance Program that served police officers and firefighters. Before retiring from full time teaching in 2012, Peggy taught summer school at Community College of Aurora one last time. Who could have imagined that the Aurora Theater massacre would occur just 2 miles away and that every single student in her class would be affected either directly or indirectly by this tragedy. In the aftermath, Peggy returned to Community College of Aurora in a new capacity as Director of Faculty Professional Development.

Website: DrPegOnline.com

Twitter: @DrPeg

Instagram: @DrPegOnline

Aman Dhanda Aman Dhanda is a Senior Fellow of Educator Engagement at ASCD. In her role, Dhanda collaborates with educators and national education organizations to promote the success of each child. A substantial portion of her work revolves around Teach to Lead, an initiative to advance student outcomes by expanding opportunities

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for teacher leadership, particularly those that allow teachers to stay in the classroom. Previously, she served as a Special Assistant and Teaching Ambassador Fellow in the Office of the Secretary at the U.S. Department of Education and as an elementary school teacher in Woodland, California.

Website: ASCD.org

Twitter: @ASCD / @MissDhanda

Instagram: @OfficialASCD

Jonathan W. Gerlach An Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellow Emeritus and NASA STEM Endeavor Fellow, Jonathan W. Gerlach leads efforts across the world in promoting STEM Education within schools, districts, communities, educational organizations, and industry. For over a decade, he has worked in STEM education delivering

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mission driven keynotes on transformative culture and developing curriculum around transdisciplinary STEM integration. Currently with EVERFI, Jonathan supports and guides corporate leaders in making an impact through STEM in communities globally. Prior to joining EVERFI, he was the architect behind Discovery Education’s STEMformation and STEM Leader Corps. transformation initiatives. With a deep background, including a masters as well as a certification from Columbia University Teacher’s College in STEM Education with a distinction in leadership, he has provided his expertise to partners globally on curriculum development.

Website: EverFi.com

Social: @STEMigo

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Speaker Biographies January 5, 2019

Kavita Gupta For two decades as a public high school teacher, Kavita Gupta has worked tirelessly to bring access and relevance to science education nationwide alongside policy makers and educators. Kavita has positively impacted science education through multiple leadership positions at the national level. As a strand leader

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for the National Science Teacher’s Association’s National Conferences, an advocate for science education funding at the Silicon Valley March for Science, and as one of the five National Geographic Fellows nationwide, Kavita has impacted students, fellow educators, and the community at large toward science education. As a member of inaugural class of National Geographic Educator fellows, Kavita has challenged students to learn holistically, contextually, and analytically so that they become curious learners and problem solvers of tomorrow. Kavita engaged students in understanding and advocacy around Climate Change in a Youth Climate Summit at The Tech Museum in San Jose, aligned with the National Geographic Framework of attitudes, skills and knowledge.

Twitter: @Chem_Tweets

Dr. Bernard A. Harris, Jr. As Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Bernard A. Harris, Jr. leads the organization’s efforts to improve teacher effectiveness and student achievement in STEM education across the country. He has been involved in math and science education for more than 25 years through the Harris Institute & Foundation and as a founding

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board member for NMSI. Prior to NMSI, Dr. Harris was CEO and Managing Partner of Vesalius Ventures, Inc., a venture capital firm that invests in early to mid-stage healthcare technologies and companies. As CEO, he was responsible for managing a portfolio of operating companies and venture investment. While at NASA, Dr. Harris conducted research in musculoskeletal physiology and clinical investigations of space adaptation and developed in-flight medical devices to extend Astronaut stays in space. A veteran astronaut for over twentyfive years, he has logged more than 438 hours and traveled over 7.2 million miles in space and was the first African-American to walk in space. Dr. Harris is a member of the Board of Directors for U.S. Physical Therapy (Nasdaq: USPH), JSA Health and Monebo Technologies. He serves as a Trustee for Salient Fund and Salient MF Trust, and Barings Fund & Trust. In addition, he is on the Board of the National Academy of Medicine, the Texas Medical Center, HealthConnect, NMSI and the Harris Institute & Foundation.

Website: NMS.org

Facebook: @NationalMathAndScience

Instagram: @NMSI

Twitter: @NMSI

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Speaker Biographies January 5, 2019

Doreen Hassan Doreen Hassan currently serves as the Associate Executive Director for Program and Community Development for the YMCA of Silicon Valley and has worked for the Y for 21 years in a variety of capacities. She started her Y career at the age of 16 as a swim instructor and lifeguard and fell in love with how the Y creates access and

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opportunities for all people to thrive. In her role at the Y, she helps to innovate and strengthen programs by providing technical assistance, training, and nurturing partnerships across the community.

Website: YMCASV.org

Twitter: @YMCASV / @Doreenah

Instagram: @YMCASV

Daren Heaton Daren Heaton is the Executive Director of Science of Sport. He is the Former Manager of Education Initiatives for the Arizona Diamondbacks and a Former Account Executive for the Los Angeles Galaxy.

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Website: ScienceSport.org

Twitter: @ScienceOfSport / @ScienceBaseball

Instagram: @ScienceOf_Sport

Twitter: @DarenHeaton

Layla Allahverdi Herrera Layla Allahverdi Herrera is the Strategic Programs Manager for ASCD’s Office of Integrated Services, Programs, and Partnerships. For over 9 years, Layla has worked to support and develop educators for leadership in the classroom, school, and community to promote the success of the whole child. She holds an MA in International

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Training and Education from the American University in Washington, D.C. You can connect with her.

Website: ASCD.org

Twitter: @ASCD / @LaylaJuneEDU

Instagram: @OfficialASCD

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Speaker Biographies January 5, 2019

Ashley Kolaya Ashley Kolaya is a Senior TED-Ed Community Development Manager. Ashley is passionate about amplifying the voices of teachers and students around the world.

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Social: TED_Ed

YouTube: TED Ed Student Talks

YouTube: TED Ed Educator Talks

Jesse Lovejoy Jesse Lovejoy is the director of 49ers EDU & the San Francisco 49ers Museum. He is also the managing partner of EDU Academy. Lovejoy joined the 49ers in August 2013, when he was brought on to envision and implement educational and community programming for the 49ers, and develop the content of and

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operating structure/plan for the 49ers Museum. While spearheading the 2014 launch of the Museum—a 20,000 square foot facility featuring 11 unique gallery and exhibit spaces exclusively dedicated to the 49ers past, present and future—Lovejoy concurrently led the 49ers into a domain where no professional sports organization had ventured before, a comprehensive STEAM Education Program for students in grades K-8, completely free to the end-user. In 2017, as inbound interest in the 49ers STEAM efforts continued to rise, Lovejoy formed and launched EDU Academy, a consulting arm which helps organizations envision, build and launch education programs. Lovejoy is the education director for the Bay Area Host Committee and has been working with Extra Yard for Teachers for 18+ months to execute in-market programming to benefit teachers here in the Bay Area.

Website: 49ers.com/Community/49ersEDU

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Twitter: @49ersCommunity / @JesseLovejoy1

Speaker Biographies January 5, 2019

Mandy Manning Mandy Manning teaches English to newly arrived refugee and immigrant students in the Newcomer Center at Joel E. Ferris High School in Spokane, Washington. In her classroom, Mandy uses experiential projects like map-making to help her students process trauma, celebrate their home countries and culture, and learn

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about their new community. As 2018 National Teacher of the Year, Mandy will encourage educators to teach their students to overcome their fears and seek out new experiences. “Let’s teach our students to be fearless,” she says. “Let’s teach them to be brave when confronted with uncertainty. Brave when they fail. Brave in meeting new people. Brave in seeking opportunities to experience things outside of their understanding.”

Photo Credit: Washington State Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction

Website: CCSSO.org/teachers/mandy-manning

Social: @CCSSO

MacKenzie Masten MacKenzie Masten is the Social Media Strategist at ASCD and Managing Editor for Inservice. She is the voice behind ASCD’s social media presence and her writing can be found across various publications including Inservice and ThinkFun Education.

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Website: ASCD.org

Twitter: @ASCD / @KenzieMasten

Instagram: @OfficialASCD

Stephanie Ng Stephanie Ng is currently the TED-Ed Program Manager. She is dedicated in amplifying the voices of teachers and students around the world.

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Social: TED_Ed

YouTube: TED Ed Student Talks

YouTube: TED Ed Educator Talks

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Speaker Biographies January 5, 2019

Sofy Navarro Sofy Navarro, Bay Area native, is in her sixth season with San Francisco 49ers and has worked on their educational initiatives since 49ers EDU’s inception in 2014. Navarro helps manage and support STEAM initiatives, partnerships, and events across the 49ers organization. Navarro has worked with organizations such

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as Super Bowl 50, Khan Academy, and Beyond Innovation to bring STEAM alive through football. Education has always been a pillar of her family’s values and she is committed to empowering underrepresented youth and inspiring equal representation for women in the workplace. Navarro has been affiliated with Techbridge Girls since 2016 and is a first time Regional Advisory Council member this year. Navarro is also a board member of the 49ers Women Connect group that provides a platform for individuals to exchange best practices and foster an environment in which women in the 49ers organization feel connected and supported. Navarro has a B.A. in Communications with an emphasis in Public, Private & Organizational Communications from California State University of East Bay.

Website: 49ers.com/Community/49ersEDU

Twitter: @49ersCommunity

Bronwen Phillips As a child, Bronwen Phillips was never interested in the museum field and did not appreciate the value of museums. During family vacations, Bronwen’s family often visited museums and National Parks leaving her bored and day-dreaming for a more exciting vacation experience. Fast forward to today, and you will find her

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passionately working within the museum field and advocating for the creation of more engaging museum experiences. Bronwen Phillips is a native Ohioan, who moved to the Bay Area in 2015 to further pursue higher education. A recent graduate of John F. Kennedy University, Bronwen earned a M.A. in Museum Studies and a Master of Business Administration. Her graduate school experience introduced her to multiple aspects of the museum field, resulting in a final thesis on the Operational Practices of Professional Sports Museums and Halls of Fame. Bronwen’s interest in the museum field began in Charleston, South Carolina, where she was an intern with the National Park Service at Fort Sumter National Park, during her undergraduate studies. Following this experience, Bronwen moved to Chicago to intern for the Anthropological Collections department at The Field Museum of Natural History. During both internships, Bronwen developed a passion for creating interactive and memorable museum experiences. Through her current position as 49ers EDU Coordinator, Bronwen has had the opportunity to create interactive museum experiences for students all across the Bay Area. Her work has established museum experiences with hands-on opportunities, while simultaneously integrating S.T.E.A.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) concepts throughout. Bronwen intends to use her educational and professional experience to generate more interest and excitement around the visitor experience.

Website: 49ers.com/Community/49ersEDU

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Twitter: @49ersCommunity

Speaker Biographies January 5, 2019

Tim Ritchie Tim Ritchie joined The Tech in October 2011, with a mandate to transform it into an institution that breathes life into its mission – inspiring the innovator in everyone. In his 5 years at The Tech, the institution transformed its exhibits and programs in the effort to make it more relevant to schools, families, and the community. It

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is in the middle of a $100M campaign and has raised $50M to that end. Prior to leading The Tech, Tim served for seven years as the President and CEO of McWane Science Center, in Birmingham, Alabama. Prior to working at McWane, Tim served for six years as the President of Louisville Diversified Services, a nonprofit organization in Louisville, Kentucky that runs businesses to provide jobs for adults with developmental disabilities. From 1988 to 1997, Tim lived in Birmingham where he practiced law. He left his firm to serve as the program developer for an inner-city ministry, The Center for Urban Missions. He then worked for the James Rushton Foundation, helping it buy a block in inner-city Birmingham and develop it as a community garden.

Tim’s other work experiences have included clerking for the Chief Justice of the North Carolina Supreme Court, clerking in a poverty law clinic in Mendenhall, Mississippi, and representing defendants on North Carolina’s death row. Tim received his B.A. from Davidson College, his J.D. from Duke Law School, and his M.P.A. from Harvard University. His wife, Christine, is a physician, practicing in the area of geriatrics and palliative care.

Esmeralda Tovar Esmeralda Tovar grew up in Southern California, she attended UCLA (B.S. in Neuroscience) and when she moved to San Jose to teach, she attended Santa Clara University (MA, Biological Science Single Subject).

While she was teaching, she enjoyed blending technology in the classroom and was able to bridge computer

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science and content. Esmeralda is passionate about ALL students having access to computer science. She is excited to be part of The Tech Museum of Innovation as the Professional Development Specialist where she supports Tech Academies teachers and districts in integrating computer science into core content.

Website: TheTech.org

Twitter: @TheTechMuseum

Instagram: @TheTechMuseum

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Speaker Biographies January 5, 2019

Dr. Ricardo Valerdi Dr. Ricardo Valerdi is the Founder and Chief Scientist of Science of Sport. He is also a Professor of Systems Engineering at the University of Arizona. Additionally, Dr. Valerdi serves as a Pac-12 Faculty Athletics Representative, a visiting professor at West Point, and a consultant to the Department of Defense, SpaceX,

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National Collegiate Athletic Association, Major League Baseball, and the Major League Soccer.

Website: ScienceSport.org

Twitter: @ScienceOfSport / @ScienceBaseball

Instagram: @ScienceOf_Sport

Dr. Kenneth Wesson Wesson is a former higher education faculty member and administrator. He delivers keynote addresses on the neuroscience of learning for educational organizations and institutions throughout the United States and overseas. His audiences range from early childhood specialists to university-level educators. Wesson’s

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international audiences have included educators and administrative officers from six of the world’s seven continents. His research is frequently published and referenced in Parents Magazine, HealthNet, and the journal Brain World. Wesson regularly addresses educational organizations, counseling associations, school districts and parenting organizations on the subject of “brain-considerate” learning environments. In addition to his speeches on the neuroscience of learning, Wesson speaks on the subjects of early brain development, design and engineering, STEM and ST2REAM, access and equity, and curriculum development. Wesson also serves on the advisory boards for the Korean Institute of Brain Science, Kids at Science, and the International Association of STEM Leaders. He is an active member of Scientists without Borders and he can be seen on PBS specials on human learning and the teenage brain.

Website: Corporate.SchoolSpecialty.com/21st-Century-Safe-School/ Instagram: @SchoolSpecialty

Twitter: @SchoolSpecialty

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Speaker Biographies January 6, 2019

Anna Antoniou Anna is a doctoral student at the University of Michigan studying Anthropology and Archaeology. As an applied anthropologist, Anna draws on unique methods from across the discipline to conduct research that has lasting benefits for disadvantaged communities. For her National Geographic Young Explorers Project,

January 6

11:00 a.m.

Discovery Stage

Anna combined her sense of adventure with her academic interests, turning her anthropological eye towards her ancestral homeland. Anna and a small team trekked the entire coastline of the island of Cyprus—over 400 miles—to gather narratives, and images pertaining to the pronounced sociopolitical segregation that has been in effect for over forty years in this country. In contrast to the political reality of separation, this project set out to generate a holistic picture of the country’s landscapes, cultures, and peoples in hopes of facilitating greater understanding and cohesion.

Katlin Bowman Oceanographer and National Geographic Explorer Katlin Bowman studies mercury chemistry in marine environments using chemistry and genomic techniques, helping scientists understand how mercury concentrations have changed throughout history. Currently, she is studying how microplastic pollution in

January 6

11:00 a.m.

Discovery Stage

San Francisco Bay impacts mercury cycling. Katlin has spent nearly a year of her life at sea, spanning 12 expeditions. She has crossed the Atlantic, cruised through the tropical Pacific Ocean and Mediterranean Sea, walked across ice floes at the North Pole, and explored the seafloor in the deep-ocean submersible Alvin. A mentor to young women in science in a program for underrepresented women applying to graduate school, she is also the co-author and narrator of a children’s book, To the Top of the World, that tells the story of a research expedition to the Arctic Ocean.

Jaime Casap Jaime Casap is the Education Evangelist at Google. Jaime evangelizes the power and potential of technology and the web as enabling and supporting tools in pursuit of inquiry-based learning models. Jaime collaborates with school systems, educational organizations, and leaders around the world focused on building innovation

January 6

12:00 p.m.

Discovery Stage

into our education policies and practices. He speaks on education, technology, innovation, and generation z, at events around the world. In addition to his role at Google, Jaime is also the author of “Our First Talk About Poverty,” as a way to talk to children about poverty. He serves on a number of boards for organizations focused on education and equity. Jaime teaches a 10th grade communication class at the Phoenix Coding Academy, a computer science public school he helped launch in Phoenix, and guest lectures at Arizona State University. He was recently named as the ASU GSV 2018 Innovator of Color and received an Honorary Doctorate of Humanities from Felician University. You can follow and reach him on Twitter at @jcasap.

Social: @JCasap

YouTube: Jaime Casap

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Speaker Biographies January 6, 2019

Sydney Chaffee As the 2017 National Teacher of the Year, Sydney Chaffee is committed to taking risks for her students and, as National Teacher of the Year, encouraged all educators to take risks - on their students, on each other and on themselves. As a humanities teacher at Codman Academy Charter Public School in Boston, Sydney takes

January 6

2:00 p.m.

Discovery Stage

risks every day to improve learning for all of her students. In the classroom, she strives to create lessons that demonstrate how education can be a transformative tool for social justice, and she encourages her students to see themselves as having the power to make change in the world based on lessons from the past.

“Education must be authentic. There is no use in studying history if we believe it to be static and irrelevant to the future,” she says. “Authentic learning enables students to see and create connections in the world around them.”

Om Chitale Om Chitale is the Founder of Teachers of Oakland, a platform that uses storytelling to amplify teachers, unearth empathy in communities, and inspire people to meaningfully support teachers around them. He believes in the power of empathy and compassion in meaningful long-term social change, and he’s trying to live his life

January 6

3:00 p.m.

Discovery Stage

accordingly. He also thinks teachers are the ultimate community leaders, and we have to shift the narrative to this perspective if we are to support teachers effectively. Om’s career spans from the private consulting world and technology strategy to non-profit infrastructure and community engagement. He believes we must face unjust systems with just collaborative systems of our own, and he uses his diverse professional background to act as a code-switcher between the private, public, and community worlds. Om holds a B.B.A from Texas A&M University and an M.B.A. from the Haas School of Business at the University of California, Berkeley. He is an avid basketball fan and enjoys a peaceful morning coffee on his porch in Chinatown, Oakland.

Twitter: @TeachersofOak

Instagram: @TeachersofOakland

Joe Cutler Leeches, bot flies, wasps, and tsetse flies—Joe Cutler has been bitten or stung by each one, all in search of tiny freshwater fish. Cutler is a two-time National Geographic Explorer, ichthyologist, and conservationist in Central Africa. He served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Cameroon, and currently works with The Nature

January 6

11:00 a.m.

Discovery Stage

Conservancy in Gabon. Cutler has conducted several fish sampling expeditions in Central Africa, collecting hundreds of fish species including dozens that are new to science. Using his fish sampling data coupled with museum records, Cutler provides guidance to Central African governments and conservation NGOs on balancing development and freshwater conservation. Cutler is a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at the University of California, Santa Cruz, and currently serves as the president of the pilot National Geographic Explorers Chapter—a group based out of the San Francisco Bay Area. Cutler’s stories, writing, and photographs have appeared in National Geographic’s Explorer Magazine, National Geographic Learning, and on National Geographic Adventure’s website. Cutler’s next project, The Ogooué Megatransect will involve rafting across the country of Gabon and conducting a baseline assessment of the Ogooué River, the fourth most voluminous river in Africa.

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Speaker Biographies January 6, 2019

Tami Fitgerald Tami Fitzgerald is a 19-year National Board-Certified Teacher who taught chemistry and physics for 34 years.

She is currently Director of Outreach and Engagement at National Board for Professional Teaching Standards.

Fitzgerald is a 2011 Presidential Awardee for Excellence in Math and Science Teaching and a 2013-2015

January 6 12:30 p.m.

Workshop

Teacher Ambassador Fellow at the US Department of Education. She has worked at the national level on science education, teacher leadership, and professional learning.

Website: NBPTS.org

Twitter: @NBPTS / @TFitz7

Belen Guzman Belen Guzman is a Product Advisor at the Microsoft Store, Santa Clara. As an expert in operational standards and community workshops, Belen has taught coding with local youth and inspired community outreach with her team members, working closely with local nonprofits such as the Santa Clara Vanguard Association,

January 6 4:30 p.m.

Workshop

Grassroots Ecology, and Second Harvest Food Bank of Santa Clara County. Belen is an Environmental Studies Undergrad at SJSU with a concentration in Restoration and Conservation, an member of Women In Tech, and an active ally at Silicon Valley Pride. Book fanatic, tea critic, RPG gaming enthusiast. Ready to lend a hand in any capacity.

Website: Microsoft.com

Twitter: @MicrosoftEDU

Instagram: @MicrosoftEDU

Daren Heaton Daren Heaton is the Executive Director of Science of Sport. He is the Former Manager of Education Initiatives for the Arizona Diamondbacks and a Former Account Executive for the Los Angeles Galaxy.

January 6 2:30 p.m.

Workshop

Website: SportsScientists.com

Twitter: @ScienceOfSport / @ScienceBaseball

Instagram: @ScienceOf_Sport

Twitter: @DarenHeaton

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Speaker Biographies January 6, 2019

Maranatha Hosick-Farwell Maranatha Hosick-Farwell is an early childhood educator in an inclusion classroom at United Nation CDC in Oakland. She began her career in education as a stay-at-home mom and classroom volunteer. Once her youngest started Kindergarten, she began teaching State Pre-K, and is currently in her fourth year teaching.

January 6

3:00 p.m.

Discovery Stage

She believes that early childhood is an important time of development and that building authentic relationships at an early age is crucial to a child’s future outlook on school and learning. As such, she strives to remain mindful in her daily interactions with her students and their families, while also using these experiences to provide a more culturally responsive classroom environment.

Vernon Keeve, III Vernon Keeve, III is a Virginia born writer. He currently lives and teaches in Oakland. His purpose is to teach the next generation the importance of relaying their personal narratives, sharing their experiences, and taking control of their destinies. He holds a MFA from CCA, and a MA in Teaching Literature from Bard College.

January 6

3:00 p.m.

Discovery Stage

Janelle Lam Janelle Lam has been a teacher for 14 years. She currently teaches 1st grade part time in the Cambrian school district. When she isn’t teaching Janelle serves as a Teacher on Special Assignment for Educational Technology, helping TK-8th grade teachers integrate technology into their classrooms.

January 6 10:30 a.m.

Workshop

Website: EDU.Google.com

Instagram: @Google

Twitter: @GoogleForEDU

Karen Parker Karen Parker is a senior program Manager at Google with 10 years of experience helping teachers discover the magic of Computer Science. She currently leads the CS First Teacher Professional Development team.

Parker holds a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from John Carroll University and has been working in program

January 6 10:30 a.m.

Workshop

management in the non-profit and technology sectors since 1998. When she isn’t thinking about teachers she loves playing soccer with her 3 sons and training for half marathons.

Website: EDU.Google.com

Instagram: @Google

Twitter: @GoogleForEDU

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Speaker Biographies January 6, 2019

Rachel Ruffalo Rachel helps inform, focus, and coordinate ETW’s work on closing achievement and opportunity gaps, working with schools and districts throughout California. She began her career in education as a high school teacher, helping to develop a new interdisciplinary curriculum and school-wide reform initiatives. Aiming to better

January 6 2:30 p.m.

Workshop

serve students who were falling through the cracks in the comprehensive school model, Rachel worked with a team of educators and social service providers to develop two new small, public high schools that offered a rigorous college preparatory curriculum within a personalized, supportive environment. Rachel went on to serve as an assistant principal of a new small public high school, helping to implement an innovative school model that incorporates environmental stewardship within a college preparatory curriculum. Before joining The Education Trust-West, Rachel served as a consultant for schools and educational organizations, providing strategic consulting, development assistance, and research-based reports. Rachel holds a B.A. in history and an M.A. in education (Policy, Organization, and Leadership Studies) from Stanford University and an M.Ed. in teaching and curriculum from Harvard University.

Website: EdTrustWest.org

Twitter: @EdTrustWest / @RachelRuffalo

Instagram: @EdTrustWest

Joey Scott Joey Scott leads teacher professional development and curriculum at the Monterey Bay Aquarium. With her team, she designs, implements, and evaluates programs that reach over 2,000 teachers each year to inspire conservation of the ocean. Her work is grounded in her passion for the environment, data literacy, and

January 6

10:30 a.m.

Workshop 12:30 p.m.

Discovery Stage

equity. Joey is a reviewer for the National Science Teachers Association’s Science and Children journal, was on the California Instructional Quality Commission’s committee to adopt NGSS-aligned curriculum, and is the current president of the Southwest Marine Educators Association. Prior to coming to the Aquarium, Joey was a public elementary and middle school teacher and served in the Peace Corps as an instructional coach.

Website: MontereyBayAquarium.org

Twitter: @MontereyAq / @JoeyElle

Instagram: @MontereyBayAquarium

Katy Noelle Scott Katy Noelle Scott has worked to integrate technology into the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s world-class education programs for the past 9 years, as the organization’s Digital Learning Manager. Reaching more than 85,000 students and 2,000 teachers every year, these programs impact the way science and technology are taught

January 6

10:30 a.m.

Workshop 12:30 p.m.

Discovery Stage

throughout California. With a focus on project-based learning, student agency and maker education, Katy has presented at conferences around the country. A former public elementary and middle school teacher, she also provides professional development for teachers at area public school districts.

Website: MontereyBayAquarium.org Instagram: @MontereyBayAquarium

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Twitter: @MontereyAq / @KatyNoelleScott

Speaker Biographies January 6, 2019

Dr. Elisha Smith Arrillaga Dr. Elisha Smith Arrillaga serves as Interim, Co-Executive Director of the Education Trust–West, a research and advocacy organization focused on educational justice and the high achievement for all California students.

Dr. Smith Arrillaga leads the organization’s work around racial justice and has extensive expertise in leading

January 6

2:00 p.m.

Discovery Stage

initiatives using multiple strategies for impacting state policy – leveraging research, media, direct action, and policymaker engagement. She has more than fifteen years’ experience working in education and workforce development with policy, research, and advocacy organizations, including College Access and Success programs, Career Ladders Project, the Hewlett Foundation and Mathematica Policy Research. She is a sought after speaker and author on the topic of creating educational opportunities for all students. Some of her most recent work focuses on Alternative High School and Community College Partnerships, highlighting the voices of parents in public education and advocating that New California Leadership Must Take Up Educational Justice. She holds a Ph.D. in Public Affairs from Princeton, an M.S. in Survey Methodology from the University of Maryland at College Park, and a B.A. in Mathematics from Smith College. She is the proud mother of a rising kindergartener.

Dr. Tierney Thys Dr. Tierney Thys is a Research Associate at the California Academy of Sciences, filmmaker, marine biologist, and National Geographic Explorer. Her diverse work bridges the worlds of primary research and science communication to promote environmental understanding and stewardship in multiple disciplines. She has

January 6

12:30 p.m.

Discovery Stage

an inordinate fondness for the world’s heaviest bony fishes, the giant ocean sunfishes, which she has tracked around the world and runs oceansunfish.org. Additional research projects include developing evidencebased nature interventions for incarcerated populations and exploring brain responses to nature imagery and environmental decision-making using neuro-imaging. She is an award-winning filmmaker, frequent contributor to TED-Ed, expert lecturer for National Geographic Expeditions around the world, and serves on the science advisory board of Think Beyond Plastic and editorial board for the Journal of Animal Sentience.

She holds an undergraduate degree in Biology from Brown University and a PhD in Zoology from Duke University where she studied biomechanics.

Website: OceanSunfish.org

Social: @TierneyThys

Dr. Ricardo Valerdi Dr. Ricardo Valerdi is the Founder and Chief Scientist of Science of Sport. He is also a Professor of Systems Engineering at the University of Arizona. Additionally, Dr. Valerdi serves as a Pac-12 Faculty Athletics Representative, a visiting professor at West Point, and a consultant to the Department of Defense, SpaceX,

January 6 2:30 p.m.

Workshop

National Collegiate Athletic Association, Major League Baseball, and the Major League Soccer.

Website: SportsScientists.com

Twitter: @ScienceOfSport / @ScienceBaseball

Instagram: @ScienceOf_Sport

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Speaker Biographies January 6, 2019

Monica Vu Monica Vu is from Sacramento, CA. She moved to the Bay Area about 10 years ago for college and has stayed put since. Monica has been a teacher in Oakland for four years and was lucky enough to be a student teacher at her current school site. Monica’s favorite part of teaching is watching her students grow into their

January 6

academic identities and build community with one another.

3:00 p.m.

Discovery Stage

Tim White Tim White is a biologist and National Geographic Explorer focused on improving conservation of our planet’s oceans and rainforests. Tim is working on a Biology PhD at Stanford, where he tracks giant coconut crabs, reef sharks, and white sharks to understand how to protect these species from human impacts. Tim previously

January 6

worked as a fisheries observer aboard icy Bering Sea crab fishing vessels, a research diver for the National Park Service, and (years ago, thankfully in the pre-YouTube era) a professional actor.

11:00 a.m.

Discovery Stage

Joaquín Zihuatanejo Joaquín Zihuatanejo is an award-winning teacher, an HBO Def Poet, and a World Poetry Slam Champion.

Born and raised in the barrio of East Dallas, in his work Joaquin strives to capture the duality of the Chicano culture. Joaquín has been called by critics “one of the most dynamic and passionate performance poets in

January 5 & 6 Host Discovery Stage

the country, melding equal parts comedy, poetry, and dramatic monologue into a crowd-pleasing display of verbal fireworks… always thrilling, Joaquín’s hilariously manic presentation is full of compassion and nuance, never sacrificing substance for style, leading many to call him poetry slam’s answer to John Leguizamo.”

A National Hispanic Cultural Center Artist in Residence and published author, Joaquín has won the Individual World Poetry Slam Championship in The United States and the European World Cup of Poetry Slam held in Paris, France, making him for a time the number one ranked slam poet in the world on both sides of the Atlantic. A self-described “teacher who moonlights as a poet,” Joaquín has two passions in his life — his wife Aída and poetry, always in that order.

Joaquín recently received his MFA with a concentration in Poetry from the Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe, New Mexico. His new book, Arsonist, was the winner of the Anhinga-Robert Dana Prize for Poetry and is out now from Anhinga Press.

Website: ArtSpeaksPoet.com

Twitter: @ThePoetJZ

Instagram: @JoaquinZihuatanejo

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