Speakers

Program Director, CEI Meridian USA and CEI Meridian
Alexandra Leff, M.A.

Alexandra Leff is the creator and Project Director of both the Meridian and Meridian USA programs and serves as the Executive Director of Arts Education at The Center for Educational Innovation (CEI). She has presented at national conferences on the value of utilizing a differentiated, arts-integrated approach and is dedicated to bringing the arts to all student populations. Alexandra founded CEI's Arts Education Department, and creates and oversees a wide range of preK-12 arts integration programs. She is committed to developing innovative programs and forging partnerships that bring resources, experiences, and opportunities to young people. 

Keynote Speaker - DAY ONE: Nationally Recognized Music Educator
Jeffrey Allen Murdock, Ph.D.

Dr.. Jeffrey Allen Murdock is a distinguished conductor and soloist, scholar and has conducted the Arkansas Philharmonic Orchestra, the Memphis Symphony Orchestra, and the Mississippi Gulf Coast Symphony and has appeared as a soloist with the Fort Smith Symphony, the Memphis Symphony Orchestra, the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra, and Southern Mississippi Opera. He has recently joined the faculty of Yale University and has become one of the leading architects of Black sacred music as an academic discipline in the twenty-first century. His work continues to shape the scholarship, pedagogy, and performance practices that define the field for a new generation of musicians, educators, and scholars. Among many accomplishments and honors, this man has made major contributions to the field of music education, including the 2021 GRAMMY Music Educator of the Year Award.

Keynote Speaker - DAY ONE: Nationally Recognized Visual Art Educator
Susan Coll-Guedes, M.Ed.

Susan Coll-Guedes is an educator, artist, disability advocate, and Clinical Specialist in Art Education at The College of New Jersey. At TCNJ, she designed and teaches Special Education in Art, preparing future art educators to create accessible, inclusive, and responsive classrooms. She is a Past President of the National Art Education Association’s Art in Special Education Interest Group and is currently pursuing a doctorate in Educational Leadership, with research focused on parent advocacy and disability systems. A recipient of the SPAN Parent Advocacy Champion Award, Susan’s work bridges inclusive art education, disability justice, and family advocacy. She brings experience across K–12, higher education, and national art education leadership, with a deep commitment to access, creativity, dignity, and belonging for all learners.

Meridian Visual Art Educator and Curriculum Writer
Theresa Rosinski

Theresa has served as a curriculum writer, staff training facilitator, and a teaching artist in the CEI's Meridian, Meridian USA, and Education Through Art programs. She has a breadth and depth of knowledge in the execution of different teaching modalities, having worked with diverse populations, including more than 20 years of experience with ASD populations. Theresa is a visual artist and photographer, and her photos have been featured in national publications and group exhibitions. Throughout her career, she has worked with numerous institutions, including the Children’s Museum of the Arts, Columbia University, and BMCC.

Meridian Music Educator and Curriculum Writer
Beth Seldin, M.S.

Beth Seldin has served as a curriculum writer, staff training facilitator, and a teaching artist in the CEI's Meridian and Meridian USA programs. She has over 15 years of classroom teaching experience (infants to grade 8), in General Music, Orff, Band, and Orchestra & Recorder Ensembles, working with students of all ages (SWD/Gen Ed). Beth also has two decades of exprience teaching music lessons in piano, flute, and recorder. Over the years, she has helped to start and revitalize schools with failing music programs across NYC by developing and implementing a robust music curriculum. Beth is also the mother of a rising third-grader with special needs who attends NYCDOE public schools.

Meridian Visual Art Educator
Angelina Amankwa, M.F.A.

Angelina Amankwa has served as a teacing artist and curriculum writer in CEI's Meridian, Meridian USA, and  Education Through Art programs,  She has been an arts educator for over 25 years working with all K-12 student populations. Angelina received her Master of Fine Arts from the Art Institute of Chicago and is a visual artist who explores a variety of media, including painting and drawing.

Meridian Music Educator and Curriculum Writer
Patrick Adams

Patrick has served as a teaching artist with CEI's Meridian and Education Through Art programs, as a teaching artist and curriculum writer for many years. Patrick Adams is a musician and educator based in New York City. His passion for music and teaching has brought him around the globe and has connected him to several leading organizations in the world of education, including the Center for Educational Innovation and the Harmony Program. Patrick holds a B.M. in Jazz Trumpet Performance from the Oberlin Conservatory of Music.

Teacher Spotlight - DAY ONE
Shanel Johnson
Shanel Johnson is a dedicated K–2 special educator with over ten years of experience supporting students with IEPs. She specializes in inclusive, evidence-informed practices for learners with moderate disabilities, including autism spectrum disorder and intellectual disabilities. Shanel designs differentiated, multisensory lessons and structured routines that incorporate visual supports, scaffolded prompts, and assistive technology to promote independence and generalize skills across settings. She creates engaging, accessible learning environments that remove barriers and provide high-interest, scaffolded opportunities so every student can build confidence and reach their full potential. Passionate about teaching and learning, Shanel continually refines her practice to meet each child’s unique needs.

Teacher Spotlight - DAY ONE
Lizette Martell
Lizette Martell is is a teacher of grades K-2 students with IEPs in New York City's School DIstrict 75. She works with a 12:1:4 classroom, supporting students with severe and multiple disabilities and medical fragility. Her work is grounded in respect for each child’s individuality and potential. She creates a safe and nurturing environment where students are encouraged to communicate, engage, and learn. A key part of her instruction is differentiation and social engagement. Through individualized instruction, assistive supports, and consistent encouragement, I foster independence, accessibility, and meaningful participation in learning. Seeing students grow, connect, and succeed inspires me daily.

Teacher Spotlight - DAY TWO
Firdawce Elharrab
Firdawce Elharrab is a Special Education Teacher in New York City's School District 75. She is dedicated to supporting students with diverse learning needs to achieve academic, social, and emotional success. She designs individualized instruction and inclusive classroom strategies that meet students where they are and help them grow with confidence. Firdawce collaborates with families, supports staff and related service providers to ensure that each student receives comprehensive support. She is committed to fostering independence, self-advocacy, and positive behavioral growth in all learners. Her goal is to create a safe, supportive, and empowering learning environment that prepares students for lifelong success beyond the classroom community impact. She believes that art can support all students’ success through ELA, helping make learning more engaging, accessible, and meaningful.

Teacher Spotlight - DAY TWO
Kariani Díaz Sanchez

Kariani Díaz Sánchez is a Special Education Teacher in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Her work focuses on promoting inclusive learning experiences that foster the academic, social, and emotional development of children with diverse educational needs. She possesses a calling, commitment, and sensitivity to the individual needs of each student. Kariani is also the mother of three sons—an experience that has strengthened her values of leadership, perseverance, and service.