Authors & Presenters

Sandi Novak, a consultant, has more than 30 years of experience in education and has served as an assistant superintendent, principal, and teacher.

Sheryl Nussbaum-Beach is a 20-year educator who has been a classroom teacher, technology coach, charter school principal, district administrator, university instructor, and digital learning presenter.

Rebekah O’Dell teaches middle school English in Richmond, Virginia. She is the co-founder of the popular blog Moving Writers and coauthor of three books on writing instruction. Rebekah leads professional development workshops to educators across the country.

Susannah O’Bara is area superintendent for the Denton Independent School District in Texas. She has been an elementary school administrator for more than 15 years.

Ken O’Connor is an independent consultant specializing in grading and reporting. He has been a staff-development presenter and facilitator in 47 US states, nine provinces and one territory in Canada, and in 25 countries outside North America.

Cheryl O’Leary is principal of Thomas Edison Primary School, a Title I school located in Kankakee, Illinois. Cheryl implemented professional learning community concepts and results-driven professional development that brought about substantial, schoolwide change.

Josh Ogilvie is a teacher, speaker, and learner who is passionate about sound assessment and grading practices that empower students in their learning and contribute to the development of the whole child.

Alana Oif Telesman, PhD, is the director of the First Education Experience Program at The Ohio State University. She is also a member of the Council for Exceptional Children and has been selected as a doctoral research scholar.

Leanne Olinger is a current practitioner and instructional coach for the Fort Mill School District in South Carolina. She has served as a public educator for over 20 years and is dedicated to providing individualized learning experiences to educators and students alike.

Brandie M. Oliver, PhD, is an associate professor at Butler University teaching in the Masters in School Counseling program and a frequent presenter for local, state and national education conferences. Her specific areas of interest include social-emotional learning, trauma-responsive education, suicide prevention and intervention, comprehensive school counseling, restorative practices, and ensuring work is done through a lens of equity and cultural responsiveness.