As a Curriculum & Instruction Specialist for Social Studies at IU13, Brian brings years of experience as a middle school social studies teacher. His focus is on research-based strategies to increase student engagement, critical thinking, collaboration, and creativity in the social studies classroom. He is passionate about how the intersections of the different social studies disciplines allow for students to have a better understanding of themselves, the past, and the world around them. One of Brian’s areas of focus is the integration of STEM concepts and skills into the social studies classroom as well as instructional coaching, gifted education, and supporting newly certified teachers in the field. Brian holds a B.S. in Social Studies Education from Elizabethtown College, a M.Ed. in Educational Leadership from Edinboro University and a M.Ed. in Instructional Media with a STEM endorsement from Wilkes University. In his free time, Brian enjoys exploring Lancaster and Lebanon counties with his family, cooking, reading, and music.

Natalie Bowen, M.Ed., LPC brings a strong background in both psychology and education to her work in gifted education. She holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Loyola College in Maryland and a master’s degree in education from West Chester University and is also a Licensed Professional Counselor. After spending 13 years as a school counselor in the Interboro School District, she now serves as a Teaching & Learning Specialist at Delaware County Intermediate Unit, leading initiatives in social-emotional wellness, gifted education, school climate and culture, and amplifying student voice. Her commitment to learning and supporting gifted education includes serving as a member of the PAGE Board and the Pennsylvania Gifted Equity Initiative team through the JAVITS grant, reflecting her dedication to creating equitable opportunities for all learners.

Colleen Epler-Ruths is the STEM and Gifted Education Consultant at the Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit in Pennsylvania. She has 20+ years of experience in the public science classroom where she taught physics, computer science, gifted and other science courses. Her Ph.D. work focused on spatial skills' impact on student science learning. Besides being a tech guru, she is an outdoor enthusiast, Penn State Extension Master Gardener, Lead for STEP UP physics, a 2020 Finalist for PA Teacher of the Year, and a Fulbright Global Educator. On weekends you can find her singing in the choir, camping in PA State Parks or volunteering at the Joseph Priestley house museum.  Besides her husband, David, she has 2 cute dogs, 3 adult children (5 if you count childen-in-laws), 2 grand-boys, and 4 grand furbabies.

A dedicated, certified teacher with 16 years of experience in English and Gifted Education, with experience specializing in collegiate courses like Theories of Leadership, English, and Composition. Adept at customizing lessons to meet individual needs, developing curriculum, and writing gifted education plans (GIEPs).

Lyn Hilt is a program administrator for the Berks County Intermediate Unit in Reading, Pennsylvania. She serves as the FLEX online learning lead, IU14 gifted education liaison and PA Gifted Education Liaison, STEELS/science lead, and professional learning consultant. Lyn uses her experiences as elementary principal, technology coach, and classroom teacher, along with extensive knowledge of curriculum, instruction, assessment, and leadership, to influence the design and facilitation of professional development for educators in both virtual and in-person settings.

Kelli leads regional learning initiatives for gifted teachers, instructional coaches, and ELA educators, with a core focus on adolescent literacy, text-dependent analysis, gifted equity, and evidence-based instruction. Grounded in a diverse background of classroom teaching, administration, and coaching, her work is driven by a commitment to building teacher capacity and expanding access to high-quality instruction. Known for her relational approach, Kelli excels at meeting her audience's unique needs, dynamically tailoring her sessions to ensure lasting impact.