Presenters

• Mike Bovino is the Senior Advisor for Special Olympics PA and collaborates with a dedicated staff who support more than 500 schools throughout the state with fully-inclusive Unified Champion Schools programming. 

• Charisse Bowman is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and the Supervisor of Mental Health Services at Intermediate Unit One, bringing over 20 years of experience in school-based mental health, clinical practice, and educational leadership. 

• Teresa Brown is a math curriculum specialist at Intermediate Unit 1 with extensive STEM classroom experience. She helps educators create engaging learning environments where students actively explore and understand mathematics. 

Brian Campbell

Pennsylvania Department of Education

Dr. Carole Clancy

Pennsylvania Department of Education

• Tracey Czajkowski, Ed.D. has thirty plus years in education. Her bachelor's comes from Penn State and master's and doctoral are from Duquesne. Tracey has spent the past 25 years working with districts across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. 

• Sarah D’Urzo, IU1 Coordinator for Innovation and Design, working in multimedia, STEAM, maker education, and local resource outreach for students, educators, and the community. Her goal is to connect educators in the region with upcoming educational student events, grant opportunities, and PD.

• Bryan Dean is CAST's Innovation Specialist with over 25 years of experience working at the intersection of human-centered design and inclusive education. Bryan has keynote, international, national, state, and regional presentation and training experience. 

• Nicole Meier Emory has spent years working with people with disabilities, helping them get the support they need to succeed. She has a Master’s degree in Adapted Physical Activity and a Bachelor’s in Therapeutic Recreation from Slippery Rock University. Currently, a program specialist for The Arc of PA, where she is an Include Me and ADEPT Program Specialist. 

• Gianna has broad experience in both the political area and in school communications. She first earned her stripes while working at the Ohio Statehouse as a legislative aide and then later as deputy press secretary to the Ohio Secretary of State. At Allerton Hill, she leads client strategy on a national scale to support educators and schools in telling their stories. 

• Nineteen years at IU1; Five as a district social worker; Fourteen as Training and Consultation in the areas of Interagency Coordinator, BrainSTEPS and Behavior.

• Tim is a former teacher, principal, and special education director whose career has centered on making education work for all students. He founded Action Driven Education to empower educators with innovative tools and professional development grounded in a core belief: real change doesn’t come from policy—it comes from the actions educators take every day.

• Barb Maimone is an accomplished Strategic Director at 7 Mindsets, where she champions the integration of mindset-based and mental health learning solutions in schools across the U.S. With a robust background in business, healthcare, and fitness, she leverages her expertise to create educational environments that foster trust, belonging, and significance. 

• Alyssa Moore is a Curriculum Specialist at Intermediate Unit 1 with a focus on Science education. She is dedicated to supporting educators across the region through high-quality, engaging professional development. Alyssa is committed to equipping teachers with the essential tools, strategies, and resources they need to strengthen their instructional practice and enhance student learning.

• Denice Pazuchanics brings over two decades of experience in public education to her role as a dedicated educator and leader. Beginning her career as a classroom teacher, Denice later pursued her passion for knowledge and earned her MLIS (Master of Library and Information Science) from the University of Pittsburgh, evolving into a seasoned school librarian.

• Dr. Kristin Szewczyk is the Assistant Executive Director of Intermediate Unit 1 (IU1). During her tenure at IU1, she has held a variety of administrative roles, such as Principal at the IU1 Educational Campus in Waynesburg and Supervisor of Special Education. Dr. Szewczyk is a Green/Yellow, known as a Socializing Thinker. 

• Sam is a dedicated education professional committed to improving instruction and curriculum development. With a passion for student success, Sam supports school district personnel in designing, developing, and aligning K-12 standards-based curriculum as well as implementing strategies for school improvement. 

• Erin has over 14 years of experience teaching computer science, STEM, & robotics in the classroom. Currently, she leads the Pittsburgh location of Fluxspace as an Educational Innovation Specialist working to revolutionize learning environments and help educators understand the innovative programs, products, experiences, and mindset that should take place in the classroom.