CAROL SALVA

Carol is a former elementary educator and has most recently taught newcomer English Language Development in both high school and middle school. Carol’s engaging and motivating presentation style serves as a model for sheltering instruction in the classroom. She continually receives positive feedback and praise from participants who appreciate her practical approach to supporting all students.

As a young person, Carol fell behind her peers academically. She eventually closed her own education gaps by capitalizing on traits instilled by her immigrant parents. Traits such as perseverance and grit came with her into her classroom when she decided to become an educator. She began as a special education teacher and later taught bilingual and ESL learners in elementary and middle school. She has most recently moved to high school with the 2016-2017 school year.

Carol specializes in using researched-based sheltered strategies to teach grade-level content to unschooled/under-schooled language learners. With proven success including these students in content area classes, Carol is able to support teachers to make these efforts practical and to the betterment of the general population.

Matt Miller is an educator, blogger and presenter from West Central Indiana. He has infused technology and innovative teaching methods in his classes for more than 10 years. He is the author of the five books, including Ditch That Textbook: Free Your Teaching and Revolutionize Your Classroom. He writes at the Ditch That Textbook blog about using technology and creative ideas in teaching. He is a Google Certified Innovator (Austin ’14), a PBS LearningMedia Digital Innovator, a Bammy! Awards nominee, and winner of the WTHI-TV Golden Apple Award.

After trying to do the traditional “teach by the textbook” for a few years, he launched into a textbook-less path where learning activities were often custom-produced for his students as well as infused with technology. He likes the results a lot, and his students do, too.

Matt has presented to thousands of teachers at dozens of workshops on a number of topics related to educational technology, world language instruction and more. He combines a conversational, engaging speaking style with loads of resources, leaving teachers equipped and inspired to move forward.

Dr. Arlene M. Costello is the President of Sunshine State TESOL. She is also an adjunct faculty member in the International Affairs Intensive English Program of the University of West Florida, an independent education consultant, and a retired educator from the School District of Escambia County where she coordinated a variety of programs. She earned an Ed.D. in Education Leadership from the University of Phoenix School for Advanced Studies. Dr. Costello’s research involves working with diverse gifted young students in enriching their academic skills through independent study and research. She is also co-author of the National Education Association Teacher-to-Teacher Books, Technology for Diverse Learners. Dr. Costello was the recipient of the 2007 National Christa McAuliffe Educator Award, 1992 Florida Gifted Teacher of the Year Finalist, 2007 Program for Academically Talented Center Teacher of the Year, Judge John Kuder Family Values Award, Who’s Who of the Gulf Coast and Worldwide, Outstanding Service to the Filipino Community Award, and Fellow from the Office of Bilingual and Multicultural Affairs in Washington, D.C.