Authors & Presenters

Steve Van Bockern is a professor of education at Augustana University in South Dakota. Formerly a teacher and principal, his research interests include resiliency, alternative education, restorative justice, bullying, discipline, and creating well-being.

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.

Dr. Sharroky Hollie is a national educator who provides professional development to thousands of educators in the area of cultural responsiveness. Since 2000, Dr. Hollie has trained over 150,000 educators and worked in nearly 2,000 classrooms.

Hector Montenegro, EdD, provides training on instructional strategies for English learners, leadership development for administrators and instructional coaches, and the teacher coaching process through the use of technology.

Don Parker, EdD, is the principal of Posen Intermediate School in Illinois. An educator since 1997, Dr. Parker has also served as a teacher, dean of students, assistant principal, and adjunct professor.

Laura Weaver teaches courses and workshops, offers presentations, advises schools, develops resources for educators and parents, and facilitates rites of passage programs for young people.

Mark Wilding creates and delivers programs that support educators to develop the capacities necessary to sustain an authentic teaching practice, engage students, support learning outcomes, and collaborate effectively with colleagues.