Authors & Presenters

Erica Battle, an education expert with Life Changes in Progress Educational Consulting, has supported thousands of educators nationwide. She has held various roles in education, such as classroom teacher, instructional specialist, teacher mentor, and director of response to intervention, specializing in literacy.

Tina H. Boogren, PhD, is a fierce advocate for educators, particularly for their well-being. She is the author of numerous best-selling books centered around her passion areas of quality instruction, coaching, mentoring, and wellness and is co-director of Solution Tree’s Wellness Solutions for Educators with Dr. Timothy D. Kanold. She hosts the weekly podcast Self-Care for Educators with Dr. Tina H. Boogren and has received several accolades, including being ranked #5 among the Top 30 Global Gurus in Education. She is also a recipient of the Marquis Who’s Who of Professional Women award and has been recognized by the Wall Street Journal as a Who’s Who of Distinguished Leaders. Dr. Boogren resides in Denver, Colorado.

Larry Brendtro, PhD, is director of The Resilience Academy and professor emeritus at Augustana University. He has rich, practical experience as a teacher, principal, and psychologist—including 14 years as president of Starr Commonwealth.

MaryAnn Brittingham helps educators working with students at risk. She is an instructor and supervisor of student teachers at the State University of New York at New Paltz.

Gloria L. Canada, EdD, is the founder of Circles of Purpose, an educational consulting company whose work focuses primarily on school leadership, family engagement, and poverty awareness.

Clayton R. Cook, PhD, is the chief development officer at CharacterStrong, an organization that aims to create a more loving world through education by designing low-burden, high-impact multitiered solutions.

Katie Cubano is an educator focused on supporting teachers and schools as they design and implement curriculum and instruction that effectively and equitably meet students’ needs. Katie has over 15 years of experience in education, including teaching at the secondary and post-secondary levels and working alongside colleagues to improve teaching and learning as an instructional coach. In her work, Katie strives to ensure that each student has full access to their civil right to an education, and that each teacher is equipped with the skills, knowledge, and dispositions necessary to lead in their classrooms and communities with confidence, integrity, and excellence.

Dr. Dawn Brooks DeCosta, EdD, is a distinguished educator and leader, currently serving as the deputy superintendent for Harlem Community School District 5. She is a renowned advocate for culturally responsive teaching and social-emotional learning.

JR Entsminger, EdD, is an esteemed elementary school principal in Burbank, Illinois. He is also known as a prominent speaker, having presented throughout the United States on topics ranging from responsive circles and conflict management to integrated project-based learning.

Patricia Erbe, MEd, is an author and former educator in Pennsylvania's West Chester Area School District, where she taught for decades at the elementary and secondary levels while also serving as a team leader, curriculum developer, science advocate, early field and student teacher mentor and professional development expert to individuals and organizations for skill growth and practical teaching applications.