Authors & Presenters

Linda Beggs has more than 30 years of organizational development experience, specializing in culture, change, and team effectiveness. She collaborates with schools to create a high-trust culture essential to implementing wraparound resource centers.

Leigh Colburn is a career educator and community leader with ten years of service as the principal of Marietta High School in Georgia. She specializes in promoting school equity through wraparound service opportunities.

Linnea Devine, LICSW, is a licensed therapist, consultant, fierce advocate, and former school social worker who is deeply passionate about creating space for educators to explore and deepen both mental and physical wellness mindsets. Her expertise includes mental health literacy, compassion fatigue, trauma, and empowerment of educators.

Ari Gerzon-Kessler is a sought-after speaker and professional learning provider working with schools and districts committed to forging stronger school-family partnerships. He’s presented at national and international conferences and his writings have been featured in a variety of educational publications.

Theodore Goergen, EdD, is the director of student activities at the award-winning Adlai E. Stevenson High School. A practitioner for nearly 20 years, he has served as a middle school and high school science teacher as well as a curriculum team leader.

As a national and international professional speaker, trainer, and author, Carlos Johnson, aka “Coach Carlos,” utilizes his experience and research to change school culture and increase parental engagement, student enrollment, and staff and student retention.

David A. Levine is a teacher, trainer, facilitator, author, and musician who has made an indelible impact on students, teachers, and parents throughout the United States and abroad since 1984.

LeAnn Nickelsen, an author and a former teacher, is an expert on brain research strategies, best practices in literacy, and other high-impact tools that close and prevent gaps in high-poverty schools.

Deborah Ricker is principal at Cedar Trails Exploration Center: Early Childhood in Kansas. She previously led Glenwood Ridge Elementary and has 19 years of experience as a school psychologist, serving early childhood through high school in both public and private school settings.