Presenters
This year's Conference lineup includes these Keynote Guest Speakers:
Check back often for updates on more keynote speakers and session presenters.
Robyn R. Jackson, PhD - Keynote Speaker
In her work with teachers, administrators, schools and non-profit organizations, Dr. Robyn R. Jackson focuses on key principles of education rather than isolated strategies and canned approaches. Using these principles, she helps teachers and school leaders discover for themselves how best to meet the challenges they face.
Dr. Jackson founded Mindsteps Inc. in 2006 to help teachers learn how to help every student meet or exceed rigorous learning standards. Her unique approach to professional development shows teachers how to create units that meet the learning needs of every student in the classroom, supporting struggling students without sacrificing rigor. Her work with administrators helps them effectively train and support teachers and create highly rigorous school programs that ensure equitable access to college readiness for all students. She also works with school systems and non-profits to remove institutional barriers to equity, access and rigor for all students, particularly students of color who are traditionally under-represented in advanced course.
Alan November - Keynote Speaker
Alan November is an international leader in education technology. He began his career as an oceanography teacher and dorm counselor at an island reform school for boys in Boston Harbor. He has been director of an alternative high school, computer coordinator, technology consultant, and university lecturer. He has helped schools, governments and industry leaders improve the quality of education through technology.
Audiences enjoy Alan's humor and wit as he pushes the boundaries of how to improve teaching and learning. His areas of expertise include planning across curriculum, staff development, new school design, community building and leadership development. He has delivered keynotes and workshops in all fifty states, across Canada, and throughout the UK, Europe, Asia and Central America.
Alan was named on of the nation's fifteen most influential thinkers of the decade by Technology and Learning Magazine. In 2001, he was listed one of eight educators to provide leadership into the future by the Eisenhower National Clearninghouse. IN 2007 he was selected to speak at the Cisco Public Services Summit during the Nobel Prize Festivities in Stockholm, Sweden. His writing includes numerous articles and two best-selling books, Empowering Students with Technology and Web Literacy for Educators. Alan was co-founder of the Stanford Institute for Educational Leadership Through Technology and is most proud of being selected as one of the original five national Christa McAuliffe Educators.
Each summer Alan leads the Building Learning Communities summer conference with world-class presenters and international participants. Visit www.novemberlearning.com/blc for more details.
Ann Beninghof - Session speaker
Anne M. Beninghof, an internationally recognized consultant and trainer, has more than twenty-eight years of experience working with students and teachers, in a variety of public and private settings. She has been a special education teacher, faculty member of the University of Hartford and the University of Colorado, has published several books and videos, and provided staff development in 49 states and several Canadian provinces. She has also collaborated with numerous state agencies to bring about inclusive practices. Recently, Anne decided to follow her heart and return to the classroom, where she works part time with teachers and students who are struggling with the learning process. In both her presenting and writing, Anne focuses on creative, practical solutions for more effectively including students with diverse learning needs in general education classrooms.