21st Century Skills

Education luminaries reveal why 21st century skills are necessary, which skills are most important, and how to help schools include them in curriculum and instruction.

Jonathan Weinstein, PhD, is a clinical psychologist with the Northport VA Medical Center in New York. He has served in various mental health and education roles and has adapted elements of contextual behavioral science to help teachers empower students.

Dr. Rivers Murphy, EdD, is a seasoned presenter and educational leader. A change agent for over two decades, she has helped transform some of the highest-needs neighborhoods and districts by improving student active engagement, teacher self-care, school culture, and academic success.

Julie Graber, an education consultant, works with educators to implement effective teaching, learning, leading, and technology practices. Her areas of expertise include technology, authentic learning, curriculum design, and performance tasks and assessments.

Suzette Lovely, EdD, an educational consultant, worked in K–12 education for 37 years, serving as a teacher, principal, assistant/deputy superintendent, and most recently, superintendent at the Carlsbad Unified School District, before retiring in 2016.

Ann Kaiser is an educational consultant dedicated to the inclusion of engineering design in K–12 classrooms. She has more than 30 years of experience as an engineer and educator.

Greg Curtis is an author and presenter. He has spent more than 30 years working with schools around the world as a teacher, curriculum and professional learning director, leadership trainer, strategic planner, and IT director.

Ted McCain is coordinator of the Digital Arts Academy for Maple Ridge School District in Vancouver, British Columbia. He has taught at the high school level for more than 30 years.

Elliott Seif, PhD, is an educational presenter, author, school volunteer, and public school advocate. Previously he served as a social studies teacher, professor of education at Temple University, and the director of curriculum and instruction services for the Bucks County Intermediate Unit.