Authors & Presenters

Jennifer McCarty Plucker, EdD, is the director of learning and development and a literacy consultant at Mackin Educational Resources in Burnsville, Minnesota. Her current work with educators is grounded in an inquiry approach that puts students in the driver’s seat for learning.

Lorraine Radice, PhD, is an educator, author, and presenter. She is currently an assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction in New York and teaches courses in childhood education and literacy at Hofstra University.

Dr. Ripley is currently teaching in the departments of elementary and secondary education at the University of Alberta and has over 35 years of experience at the elementary, junior high/middle school, high school, college, and university levels.

Chepina Rumsey, PhD, is an associate professor of mathematics education at the University of Northern Iowa (UNI). In addition to teaching, Chepina leads professional development initiatives and contributes as a consultant for curriculum development companies.

Brad Sever is an assistant principal at Carmel High School in Indiana. There, he has helped to create and sustain a successful instructional coaching program and grow the school’s International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme.

Dean Shareski is the community manager for Discovery Education Canada. He has served as a teacher, digital learning consultant, and university lecturer. In 2010, he won the ISTE Award for Outstanding Leader of the Year.

Passionate about innovation, critical thinking, and deep learning, Shannon Simpson has been active in education for over 30 years, serving in various teaching roles and capacities.

John Spencer is an assistant professor of educational technology at George Fox University. Previously, he spent twelve years as a middle school teacher at the Cartwright Elementary School District in Phoenix, Arizona.

Marie Swift has been a K–3 classroom teacher for the majority of her career. She was also a K–12 technology resource teacher and a literacy resource teacher for K–8 in the Simcoe County District in Ontario, Canada.