Amanda Young is an experienced leader in educational transformation, specializing in virtual learning environments and innovative instructional design. With over a decade of experience in leadership and education, she has a proven track record of driving growth, improving learning outcomes, and enhancing engagement. As the leader of Education Imagine Academy, Amanda spearheaded a comprehensive redesign of the Wichita Virtual School, leading to significant improvements in enrollment, graduation rates, and student/family satisfaction.

Her leadership is grounded in a commitment to equity and access, recognized as the recipient of the National Microsoft Community Influencer of the Year Award (2021) for her advocacy for inclusive technology. A Microsoft Innovative Educator Expert and Canva for Education Advisory Board member, Amanda brings expertise in leveraging technology to create impactful learning experiences. As an ambassador for both Diffit! and CommonSense Media, Amanda represents public schools in her service and advocacy on Digital Citizenship and Literacy.

Amanda’s work has earned her several prestigious nominations, including Kansas Teacher of the Year and Kansas Master Teacher of the Year, and her early career innovations in peer mentoring and service learning earned her national accolades. Currently pursuing a doctorate in Instructional Design & Performance Technology, Amanda continues to focus on creating equitable, accessible learning environments while supporting the professional growth of her teams and driving strategic initiatives.

Courtney Compton, with a Master’s in Instructional Technology and an Ed.S. in Innovation and Leadership, is a K-2 Virtual Teacher at Education Imagine Academy, and adjunct for Fort Hays State and Wichita State. With 19 years of experience and a focus on early literacy intervention, she is also a Microsoft Innovative Educator Expert (MIEE) and Microsoft Certified Educator (MCE), integrating technology to empower learners.