Kristin Ziemke celebrates innovative learning practices where thinking is at the heart of the curriculum. Author of Amplify: Digital Teaching and Learning in the K-6 Classroom and co-author of Connecting Comprehension and Technology, Kristin pairs best practice instruction with digital tools to transform learning in the classroom and beyond. A teacher and learning innovation specialist for the Big Shoulders Fund in Chicago, Kristin works with inner-city students to create classroom experiences that redefine school. A guest on the Oprah Winfrey Show, Good Morning America and several network news programs, Kristin was named to the global team of Apple Distinguished Educators in 2013 and was selected as a featured speaker for the South by Southwest Music, Film and Interactive Festival for 2015 and 2016.
Nicholas Provenzano is an award winning educator and best selling author who has travelled the world promoting best practices in education. He has been featured on CNN, Education Week, The New York Times, and other media outlets. He has presented internationally at conferences and worked closely with educators around the world to support their educational goals. He is a Google Certified Educator, Raspberry Pi Certified Educator, littleBits Educational Ambassador and holds other certifications with other companies.
Katharine Hsu Hale, formerly a 4th and 5th grade teacher, now serves as the Instructional Technology Coordinator for Gunston Middle School in Arlington, Virginia. She also teaches an 8th grade English class to stay in touch with kids. Katharine piloted her own 1:1 iPad classroom for two years and continues to work in diverse student populations that include second-language learners, students with disabilities, gifted students, and students from low-socioeconomic backgrounds. Her expertise and passion is in personalized learning, literacy, and technology integration for all children. Katharine values the power of reading, writing, and math workshop and focuses on designing authentic, future-ready learning environments through the use of personalized mobile devices.
Kevin is the author of The 20time Project: How Educators can Launch Google's Formula for Future-Ready Innovation and Code In Every Class: How All Educators Can Teach Programming. Kevin is optimistic about the future because he believes many of the world's most pressing problems can be solved by current students who have access to great teachers and breakthrough technology.
Les McBeth is an educator, design thinker, Ironman, amateur electrician, music lover, urbanist, renegade optimist, and outdoor adventurer.
She has been working at the intersection of design and education for the past 12 years and spends her time bouncing around the world teaching teachers about design, project-based learning, and help them prepare their students for the future.