Student Engagement

Daniel L. Vollrath, EdD, has served in various teaching roles extending over 20 years and is currently a special education teacher at Hunterdon Central Regional High School in New Jersey.

Many of the concerns that educators have about student AI use involve students misrepresenting their learning and mastery by having these tools do work for them. In the Solution Tree Master Class: Educator AI, Paul explores ways that teachers can build classroom structures and culture that promote the ethical use of AI. As with any other critical skill, teachers need to become AI literate themselves and then guide students through the ways that generative AI tools can help them learn better, instead of taking them out of the learning process.

Jessica R. May, M.Ed., is a passionate educator and 2024 Colorado Teacher of the Year with over 25 years of experience. She specializes in building strong student relationships, classroom management, and making reading relevant across all content areas.

James Simons is an educator, writer, and coach passionate about meaningful learning and leadership. He partners with schools to support instructional growth, curriculum design, and educator development. His work appears in Inside Higher Ed and Edutopia.

Mary K. Gove, PhD, is professor emeritus at Cleveland State University and specializes in promoting a balanced approach to literacy education. Dr. Gove formerly taught grades K–6 and worked in an urban district as a full-time professional developer.

Jen Cullerton Johnson is an award-winning children’s author, educator, and environmental advocate. With nearly two decades of teaching experience, she’s worked with incarcerated youth and urban classrooms; taught abroad in Japan, Ecuador, and Argentina; and led nature-writing workshops in outdoor settings.

Peg Grafwallner is an instructional coach and reading specialist at Ronald Reagan College Preparatory High School in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. With over 25 years of experience in the field of education, Peg has also served as an English teacher and an alternative education teacher.

Kate Bellanca has 20 years of experience working directly and digitally with districts, schools, families, and other helping professionals to improve learning outcomes through professional development.

Brady Barr, PhD, is National Geographic’s reptile expert. Dr. Barr started his teaching career at North Central High School in Indiana, teaching subjects like zoology, biology, and earth and life sciences.

Michael McDowell, EdD, has been a public school educator for the past 18 years serving in the roles of classroom teacher, academic and athletic coach, school principal, assistant superintendent of personnel and instruction, and superintendent.