eSEMINAR Presenters

Maria has spent 20 years developing techniques to support guided reading and writing in the classroom. She has also created materials to support differentiated learning. Maria has worked as a consultant and staff development coordinator, as well as a national workshop presenter. She believes in educating the whole child and has made it her goal to share information that will refresh and motivate the reflective teacher.

A veteran kindergarten and first grade teacher, Dr. Bates has worked as an early intervention teacher in grades 1 to 3. She was named Newton County Teacher of the Year in 2000 and was a Georgia Teacher of the Year semi-finalist. C.C. received her Ph.D. in Language and Literacy Education in 2003 and currently serves on the Newton County Board of Education. A workshop and conference presenter at various levels, she consistently receives high praise for her idea-packed, energy-filled presentations.

During his 31 years in the education field, Rick has worked as a teacher, school based administrator, and central office administrator. As a popular education presenter, he incorporates his experience as a musician and actor into his humorous and energetic presentations. Rick is passionate about teaching and believes when educators engage the minds of students they can make a difference. Currently, he serves as the Superintendent of Schools in Northern Alberta.

Dr. Brassell has dedicated his life to improving the education of inner-city students. His goal is to offer strategies aimed at improving reading attitudes and aptitudes. Using humor, music, and games, Dr. Brassell has motivated teachers to create reading programs that encourage lifelong learning. An avid writer who has published dozens of articles in newspapers, journals, and magazines, he is the author of the book Readers for Life: The Ultimate Reading Fitness Guide.

Dr. Campbell is a practicing teacher, an author, and a presenter whose instructional model is based on Howard Gardner's Theory of Multiple Intelligences. He consults for schools, districts, and universities throughout the country and has presented for the U.S. Department of Education. Bruce is the author of numerous published articles and books including educational best-sellers Teaching & Learning Through Multiple Intelligences and The Multiple Intelligences Handbook: Lesson Plans and More.

Sandra is an experienced classroom teacher who has worked with both mainstream and special education students. She has utilized multiple grade levels of the Singapore Math Program to help advance the mathematical capabilities of her students. Sandra believes that drawing on Gardners’ Multiple Intelligences throughout all content areas encourages students to pursue academics not only in the classroom but outside as well. Her love of teaching shines through in her energetic and enthusiastic presentation style.

Lori is an energetic and passionate classroom teacher and trainer. She has taught students in first through fourth grades and worked as a reading facilitator in her home district. She served as a STARR teacher with the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Lori uses her daily classroom experience with Four Blocks?, integrated curriculum, as well as brain-based learning to enhance her session presentations.

Gretchen is an experienced early childhood educator, instructional support teacher, and staff development specialist. She believes in adapting classrooms so that ALL children can learn, and offers teachers dozens of activities and strategies to help accomplish this goal. Gretchen is the best-selling author of I Can Learn! and More I Can Learn! Her sessions offer practical, hands-on strategies that enhance learning for all children.

Judith has taught a range of grades, from preschool to junior high. She has developed a series of books on writing instruction, sharing dozens of helpful instruction tips and techniques. The series, The Four Square Writing Method, has attracted national acclaim and interest. Judith works to develop writing workshops and in-service training for hundreds of teachers across the country. She is an energetic and inspirational teacher whose presentation style will leave you energized and motivated.

Jim has emerged as the nation's Spokesperson for School Success with a dedicated mission to stop school failure. An internationally renowned educator and popular speaker, he offers practical instructional strategies to help all students learn. Jim is the author of many popular professional books, including the best selling, Differentiated Instruction: Different Strategies for Different Learners and Differentiating Textbooks and his latest release, Death of Common Sense in Our Schools And What YOU Can Do About It!

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

Lori is an experienced classroom teacher and K-12 language arts consultant. She has served on the Board of Directors of the International Reading Association and has written numerous teachers? guides. Lori is also the author of Early Literacy Instruction in Kindergarten, Guided Reading Basics, The Write Genre, and Marvelous Mini Lessons for Beginning Writers. A passionate presenter, she is well-known for her research-based sessions full of teacher-tested and student-friendly strategies.

A former classroom teacher, LeAnn is an experienced conference presenter specializing in brain research topics, along with reading and vocabulary strategies. She delivers research-based strategies and practical classroom examples in an active, high-energy format. LeAnn is the author of eight professional resource books published by Scholastic. Her books include Memorizing Strategies, and a four book series entitled Mini-Comprehension Lessons.

Pat is an exciting classroom innovator and speaker. With over 16 years of classroom experience, she consistently earns high marks for her creative strategies, straightforward style, and real-life answers to challenging issues. Pat is also the author of a variety of popular professional books including Differentiated Assignments, Create Independent Learners, and Guided Reading Management: Structure and Organization for the Classroom as well as the Making the Connection series.

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

Marsha is a highly sought-after teacher trainer and presenter with over 35 years of classroom and administrative experience. She has directed federal and state educational programs, and has been a leader and an advocate for at-risk children. Marsha has also developed nationally-recognized programs that provide for the education of low-achieving students. Teachers across the country have discovered Marsha?s presentations to be fun, fast-paced, and full of practical ideas.

Joni is an award-winning classroom teacher, technology coordinator, administrator and university instructor. Her 20 plus years of education experience includes working with teachers and administrators from K-12. Joni has also been involved in private consulting on various topics, specializing in differentiated instruction and educational technology, and presents frequently both nationally and internationally. She has written for journals and websites, and is the author of numerous books for educators.