Keynote Speakers

Follow Angie

Hello out there in kindergarten land! My name is Angie Bonthuis. I have been an Iowa girl my whole life. For the past couple of decades, I've lived in a 100+ year old house in Gilbert, Iowa with my 2 amazing girls (as well as a variety of dogs and cats).

This is a big year for me! My youngest graduates from UNI this May. I'm a bit apprehensive about this new stage of life (Do I have to use the term "empty nester"...ick!), but luckily I always have something to keep me busy...because I have the BEST job in the world. I teach full day kindergarten (19 years...same grade...same school) and spend my days reading stories, solving problems, and watching amazing little people grow everyday. If THAT wasn't enough, I'm lucky enough to travel around the country, meeting amazing teachers, and presenting about what I do in my classroom.

Follow Jen

Jen Heyer has been an Eden Prairie educator since 2001. In 2015, she created a program called Wilderness Wednesday, teaching her kindergarten students outside for the majority of the day. They spend all morning and afternoon outside in the school forest and creek area learning state standards through environmental education.

In 2019, her Wilderness Wednesday program extended to first and second grade students with a Nature Explorer Club that meets after school once a week.

She has partnered with Riley Purgatory Bluff Creek Watershed District, Safari Club, MN DNR: Project WILD and Project WET, MN DNR: Forestry Department, Minnesota Trappers Association, the Keystone Elk Country Alliance, the Minnesota Tracking Club, and Fishing in the Neighborhood (FiN).

In 2018, she attended the American Wilderness Leadership School in Jackson Hole, WY and has written three articles for the Minnesota Adventuring magazine.

Jen received the 2019 Presidential Innovation Award for Environmental Educators in Washington, DC from the Environmental Protection Agency. She was also selected as the 2019 MN Environmental Educator of the Year by the Minnesota Association for Environmental Education. In addition, the Conservation Commission chose Jen to receive the 2019 Sustainable Eden Prairie Award in the water category for her significant work in water conservation and environmental education.

Visit Crystal

Crystal Radke is an educational leader, speaker and writer. After spending time as a classroom teacher, she began her consultant business where she mentors educators by providing inspirational keynotes and powerful professional development.

Her degrees in Education and experience as a foster and adoptive mother have made helping children learn and grow a personal mission. She writes the website kreativeinlife.com. You can also find her on Teachers Pay Teachers as Kreative in Kinder.

Visit Jessica

My name is Jessica Travis and I have been teaching for 12 years in kindergarten and first grade! I was born and raised in Texas and that’s exactly where you’ll find me today!

I spent 8 years teaching first grade before moving down to kindergarten, where I have been the last four years.

I have been married for 13 years and we have two boys who keep me on my toes daily! You will often find us outdoors hunting, fishing, and all things in between!