Moving From the Margins – Innovative Educators
Presented on August 6, 2020
Panelists feel our schools, and educators, will be able to take positive advantage of these challenging times as an opportunity for us to use technology in new, exciting ways. All panelists focused on the importance of meeting students where they are in their learning pathway.
Quotes
"Where can't we go with technology in our K-12 schools? The sky is the limit!"
-Tracy Kelly
"We need to stay current with all of the ways we can use technology to reach students."
-Tracy Kelly
"My advice to teachers-- take a chance, try something new."
-Theresa Bruce
Panelists
Christine Austin is an assistant principal at Gwinnett Online Campus in Gwinnett County, Georgia, where she has been since its inception in 2011. She has been in education for 17 years, all of which have been with Gwinnett County PublicSchools (GCPS). Throughout her career, Christine has served in a variety of roles including classroom teacher, instructional coordinator, and assistant principal. She holds a bachelor’s degree, master’s degree, two specialist degrees, and all coursework for her Doctor of Education degree. She is passionate about empowering students to exceed their potential and believes that innovation and grit are the keys to unlocking that potential.
Nicole Biscotti believes that everyone should have access to a quality education that connects them with their purpose. She seeks to bridge understanding, spark conversations, and inspire through her writing. Nicole is originally from New York City where she gained a love of culture and travel. She has a Bachelor's Degree in Spanish from the University of Florida and a Master's Degree in Secondary Education from the University of Phoenix. She is currently a Spanish Teacher and World Languages Department Chair in a public high school. She is a certified Translator & Interpreter as well. She is writing a book with her 9 year old son about ADHD from the unique perspectives of a child and a mother who is also a teacher.
Theresa Bruce is a champion of student voice, educational equity and teacher wholeness. A native Baltimorean hailing from West Baltimore, she is a graduate of Baltimore Polytechnic Institute (2005) as well as the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (2009). After earning a Master’s Degree in Public Policy from the University of Chicago (2011), she knew there would be no better place to advocate for youth than her hometown of Baltimore. Currently Theresa is a Social Studies teacher, passionate about student voice & student choice and the infusion of cultural relevance and advocacy into her lessons. She also is a leader in the use of instructional technology in her school community as a 2019 Future of School Grant recipient and 2020 Modern Classrooms Fellowship recipient.
Alejandro De La Peña Jr. is a SPED teacher and first generation college grad with a Bachelor's and Masters in Special Education. In his first district, he was recognized as a campus Teacher of the Year for gathering about $10K in donations in his first 4 years and invited to be an inspirational speaker. When he moved to his current district, he decided to turn it up. He created NspirED@thePark to spread inspiration through local stories and SEL@thePark Awards to appreciate the positive impact of community members. He is spearheading grant writing at his school and has obtained almost $40K in just two years. Above all, Alejandro strives to give his students the best opportunities to amaze even themselves and prove that disabilities do not define them instead disabilities create opportunities to defy them.
Tracy Kelly has ten years teaching Special Education in California. He has taught all grades K-12, as well as being a Lecturer, both Adjunct and Full Time, at University level. He taught those that were inspired to be General Education and Special Education Teachers. He has earned an BA in Economics, MA in Special Education, and his Ed.D. in candidacy status in Educational Leadership. Tracy has edited six books as he continues to write his dissertation on the shortcomings of Special Education.