Authors & Presenters

Jennifer Abrams, an author and educational consultant, is a former high school English teacher and new-teacher coach. She helps educators develop collaborative skills, effectively support new teachers, navigate difficult conversations, and create safe workplaces.

Michael T. Adamson, Ed.D., is the Director of Board Services at the Indiana School Boards Association, Adamson is a former school board member of the Avon Community School Corporation in Avon, Indiana where he served for a total of 20 years, from 1974-78 and 1984-2000.

Lisa Almeida has more than a decade of experience delivering professional development and implementation support to educators. She is recognized for effective leadership in areas such as standards, assessment, and professional learning communities.

Chris Beingessner is deputy principal of the middle school at Singapore American School. Throughout the past 17 years, he has held numerous K–12 teaching and school leadership roles

Justin Baeder is director of The Principal Center, where he helps school and district administrators build capacity for instructional leadership. Driven by the belief that leaders belong in classrooms—where the most important work is being done—he created the 21-Day Instructional Leadership Challenge, which has helped more than 10,000 leaders from 50 countries develop the habit of getting into classrooms and having evidence-based conversations with teachers.

Tonya Balch, PhD, is a professor in the Bayh College of Education at Indiana State University (ISU). She has served as the program coordinator for ISU’s school counseling program for 15 years and is passionate about ensuring excellence in graduate programming.

Bradley Balch, PhD, is professor and dean emeritus at Indiana State University. He is currently a graduate faculty member in the Department of Educational Leadership, Bayh College of Education, and affiliate faculty member in the Department of Management, Information Systems, and Business Education, Scott College of Business.

Tina H. Boogren, PhD, is a former classroom teacher, English department chair, teacher mentor, instructional coach, professional developer, athletic coach, and building-level leader.

Larry Brendtro, PhD, is director of The Resilience Academy and professor emeritus at Augustana University. He has rich, practical experience as a teacher, principal, and psychologist—including 14 years as president of Starr Commonwealth.

Anne E. Conzemius, a trainer and coach, has served as director of employee development and training for Wisconsin’s Department of Employment Relations, and as assistant state superintendent at the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction.