Embedded Files
The Speakers
Keynote Speakers
Keynote Speakers
GERRY BROOKS
Topic: Creating Positive Personal Climate & Culture in the Workplace
Background: Gerry Brooks is a popular American elementary school principal, author, and speaker known for his humorous, relatable videos about education, teacher life, and parenting, often focusing on school, teacher, parent, and educator dynamics.
Book: He is the author of "The Principal's Guide to School Culture."
Key Themes: His content focuses on teacher morale, student-teacher relationships, and building a supportive school environment.
KARLE DELO
Topic: The Power of Purpose, Curiosity, and Humanity in an AI World
Background: Karle Delo is a Senior AI Strategist at Michigan Virtual with over 14 years of experience in K-12 public education. Her background spans science teacher, instructional coach, technology integrationist, and curriculum director, giving her insight into both classroom realities and district-level implementation challenges.
Named one of the top 30 K-12 IT Influencers to Follow in 2023 by EdTech Magazine, Karle designs hands-on workshops and keynote presentations that help educators move from AI overwhelm to intentional, responsible adoption.
She leads AI literacy webinars for students and contributed to Michigan Virtual’s Student Guide to AI. Her approach centers people over hype, building practical resources that honor the human core of teaching.
JOE BECKMAN
Topic: Reclaim Human Connection
Background: Hi! I’m Joe. Our world is experiencing an unprecedented shift. Loneliness is at an all-time high, while self worth, belonging, and connections are at all-time lows. The consequences impact ALL of us. One Simple Mission: Reclaim Human Connection
In a world full of noise, notifications, and nonstop busy… Joe Beckman believes the most radical thing we can do is simply look up. A nationally recognized speaker and the best-selling author of Just Look Up and Just Look Back, and co-founder of Happy Caveman, Joe has spent the last 20 years igniting human connection in over 2,000 schools, conferences, and communities in various industries across the globe. Whether he's speaking to youth leaders, administrators, sales teams, or CEO’s, his message is clear: connection isn’t a soft skill—it’s a survival skill. And through humor, vulnerability, music (yes, there’s a guitar involved), and powerful storytelling, Joe delivers keynotes that don’t just inspire—they stick. When he’s not on stage, he’s at home in Minnesota, negotiating screen time with his 4 children and practicing what he preaches: meaningful connection.
www.happycaveman.com
Breakout Session Facilitators
Cindy Hunt
Instruction and Leadership Consultant
Cindy Hunt
Instruction and Leadership Consultant
Credentials:
20 Years K–9 Classroom Experience/ B.S., Cornell University/ M.A. Curriculum & Instruction, Concordia University Irvine, CA/ National Board Professional Teacher/ Instructional Coach & Professional Learning Facilitator/ National
Background:
Cindy has spent more than 30 years asking questions about how people learn, what makes instruction work, and how we can make every minute with learners count. She has taught across grade levels, subjects, languages, states, and countries; written curriculum; coached educators; facilitated learning for thousands of adults; and supported systems change in Michigan schools. Cindy brings both research and real classroom experience to the conversation.
Breakout Session Topic: Make Every Minute Matter: High-Impact Instruction
_____________________________________
Steve Seward
Fellow Educator
Steve Seward
Fellow Educator
Background:
Steve is a highly motivated, experienced, and energetic national consultant, facilitator, presenter, and coach. He has spent nearly 30 years in education, serving as an early elementary teacher, instructional coach, Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning, college/university professor, and national consultant focused on adult learning, best-practice instructional techniques, group facilitation, leadership development, and promoting self-directedness to ensure success for all. Don’t miss the opportunity to explore unique content and realistic strategies to boost team collaboration, craftsmanship, confidence, interdependence, excitement, and achievement!
Breakout Session Topic: Intentional Engagement: Ideas & Strategies to Engage All Learners
_____________________________________
Cheryl Irving
MDE Regional Consultant - MI Dept of Education
Cheryl Irving
MDE Regional Consultant - MI Dept of Education
Background:
MA - Educational Leadership; BA Elementary Education; 13 years Assistant Superintendent; 8 years Elementary Principal; 12 years Elementary Teacher
Breakout Session Topic: Title Grant
_____________________________________
Dot Blackwell, Ed.D.
MDE Educational Consultant,
MICIP Lead
Dot Blackwell, Ed.D.
MDE Educational Consultant,
MICIP Lead
Credentials:
BA U of M Ann Arbor, MA Eastern Michigan University, EDS U of M Flint, EdD Eastern American University
Background:
My career started 33 years ago as an elementary teacher at Beecher Community Schools, since that time I have been an Elementary Principal, Curriculum Director, Academic Consultant, and a Superintendent of Schools.
Breakout Session Topic: MICIP- Map Your Journey
_____________________________________
MJ Ewald
Roscommon High School Principal & COOR ISD Secondary Consultant
MJ Ewald
Roscommon High School Principal & COOR ISD Secondary Consultant
Credentials:
BA in English/History -- MA in Humanities
-- EdS in Educational Leadership
Background:
During my 34 year tenure with Roscommon Area Public Schools, I have been afforded multiple opportunities to work with students and staff. Currently, I am currently Principal at Roscommon High School where I was also an English teacher and varsity boys' basketball coach. In addition to RAPS, I am also Secondary Consultant for COOR ISD.
I grew up in Canton, MI and did my undergrad at the University of Detroit with subsequent degrees earned at Central Michigan University. My wife, Michelle, taught and coached in Mio and is currently the K-5 Literacy Coach at COOR. Our son, Joel, graduated last May from Eureka College in Illinois where he majored in business administration and played basketball.
Breakout Session Topic: Student Engagement and Levels of Inquiry
_____________________________________
Michelle Ewald
COOR ISD
K-5 Literacy Coach
Michelle Ewald
COOR ISD
K-5 Literacy Coach
Credentials:
B.G.S. University of Michigan; M.A. in Reading Education, Central Michigan University
Background:
Michelle Ewald has been in K-12 education for over 30 years, with experience as a middle school language arts teacher, an upper elementary classroom teacher, an instructional coach, and a K-5 math and reading interventionist. She is also an adjunct faculty member at Spring Arbor University, where she teaches graduate level reading education courses.
Breakout Session Topic: Spelling Instruction That Sticks: Engaging Your Students Through Evidence-Based Shifts
_____________________________________
Helen Craig
Regional School Health Coordinator
Helen Craig
Regional School Health Coordinator
Credentials:
MA - Teaching & Curriculum, MA - Learning Design & Technology
Background:
Upper elementary teacher for 8 years in northern MI - taught HIV & Puberty; 5 years experience as School Health Coordinator.
Breakout SessionTopic:
Hot Topics in Health/PE
_____________________________________
Mike Evans
COOR ISD CTE Director
Mike Evans
COOR ISD CTE Director
Credentials:
B.S. Secondary Education, M.A. School Leadership
Background:
Mike Evans is a dedicated educational leader with 19 years of experience serving Northern Michigan school systems, including a decade as a high school science teacher and nine years in administrative leadership. He currently serves as the Career and Technical Education (CTE) Director for COOR ISD and the CEPD 11 Director, combining his deep instructional background with executive oversight to expand regional workforce pathways, mentor educators, and advance student achievement across Northern Michigan communities.
Breakout Session Topic: Regional CTE Alignment
_____________________________________
Lauren Jasinski
Civic Education Outreach Coordinator
Lauren Jasinski
Civic Education Outreach Coordinator
Breakout Session Topic: Inquiry in Action: Engaging Secondary Social Studies Students
_____________________________________
Linnea Gibson
K-12 Science ConsultantChar-Em ISD/ Northern Michigan Learning Consortium
Linnea Gibson
K-12 Science ConsultantChar-Em ISD/ Northern Michigan Learning Consortium
Credentials: Bachelors and Masters degrees from Michigan State University; MiStar Professional Learning Facilitator, OpenSciEd Certified PL Provider, Google Certified Educator Level 1, 2, and Trainer, Cognitive Coaching completion, Adaptive Schools completion, Learning in Place co-design
Background: Linnea Gibson has been a Science Consultant for the past 8 years and before that led at the school level in all things Science, STEM, and Instructional Technology. With a Masters of Education in Instructional Technology, she has supported schools in developing and implementing STEM programs that reach all learners and build on key skills in science and technology, while using the Engineering Design Process. Linnea serves on the co-design team for Learning in Places, and has been facilitating Project Based Learning for over a decade, subscribing to methods from PBL Works (Formerly Buck Institute of Education), GLSI, and EarthForce.
Breakout SessionTopic:
Engaging Students in Scientific Thinking
_____________________________________
Page updated
Report abuse