An internationally recognized educator and changemaker, Founder and Executive Director Sam Drazin applies his personal and professional background to lead Changing Perspectives’s mission to strengthen school communities through social-emotional learning, disability awareness, empathy development, and inclusion. Sam was born with Treacher Collins Syndrome, a rare congenital disorder resulting in both facial anomaly and hearing loss. His experiences, both as a student with a disability and as a teacher working in an inclusive classroom, helped him recognize the importance of supporting students in developing the essential life and relationship skills that underpin equity, inclusion, and social change. The students and educators we work with around the world are a constant inspiration for Sam. 

Keynote Title: The Power of Small: How Everyday Actions Build Inclusive Schools

In a time when creating inclusive, supportive learning environments can feel overwhelming, it’s easy to overlook the profound impact of small, intentional actions. This keynote shines a light on the transformative power of everyday decisions—those subtle shifts in practice and mindset that, over time, cultivate meaningful change in our classrooms, schools, and communities.

Together, we will explore inclusion through three essential dimensions: academic, physical, and social. By examining how incremental steps in each of these areas strengthen belonging and student success, we’ll uncover how small, thoughtful actions can lead to significant, measurable outcomes.

This keynote invites educators to reimagine change not as a monumental undertaking, but as a series of purposeful, accessible choices that anyone can begin making today. Join us to discover how the ideas and insights gained throughout this conference can be translated into practical next steps—and how your everyday actions hold the power to create more inclusive learning spaces for all students.

Tom Schimmer is an independent education author and consultant from Penticton, BC (Canada). His current work focuses on the effective use of formative assessment as an integral part of the instructional process, accurate and fair grading and reporting, as well as educational leadership. Tom is an internationally recognized leader and expert who has delivered both keynote and workshop sessions at major conferences as well as for schools and/or school districts in Canada, the United States, and Asia. Prior to working as an author and consultant, Tom spent twenty years as an educator. As a classroom teacher he's taught a variety of subjects in every grade from 6-12. He has been a school administrator in five different schools (3 high schools and 2 middle schools) and most recently was a district-level leader primarily responsible for curriculum and instruction. Tom holds a Teaching Degree from Boise State University (1990) and a Master's Degree (Curriculum & Instruction) from the University of British Columbia (1999).

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Keynote Title: Next Generation Grading: Humanizing Evidence in the Age of AI

As AI transforms how students create and demonstrate learning, grading must evolve to reflect what remains unmistakably human, namely thinking, connection, and professional judgment. In this keynote, Tom Schimmer explores how educators can reimagine grading as an act of meaning-making built on clarity, credibility, and care. Rather than reducing achievement to numbers or averages, Next Generation Grading envisions a future where grades tell the authentic story of learning and growth; where technology amplifies teacher expertise and strengthens trust in what we report. Tom will challenge educators to reconsider what counts as “evidence” in an AI-rich world, emphasizing the enduring value of observation, conversation, and reflection. He’ll illustrate how grading practices can move from transactional to transformational, where feedback fuels hope, not anxiety. This message will leave educators confident, courageous, and ready to lead the next generation of grading reform.

Dr. Sabba Quidwai is a speaker, author, and advisor who helps visionary leaders design human-centered systems that are technology-driven. As the CEO of Designing Schools and a lecturer at the University of California, Irvine, Sabba blends research-backed strategy with real-world application.

A former high school educator and Education Executive at Apple, Sabba has been researching the future of learning and AI since 2014. Her book and documentary, Designing Schools, explore how design thinking helps people lead through change with confidence and creativity. She believes cultures of innovation begin with cultures of empathy, where people feel seen, heard, and empowered to grow.

Sabba’s signature message? AI shouldn’t replace people, it should elevate them.

Through keynotes, coaching, and courses, she helps organizations build AI teams that work with humans, not around them, streamlining workflows, unlocking innovation, and building a future where leadership is both bold and deeply human.