21st Century Skills

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.

Shawn W. McCusker has 25 years of experience as a teacher and leader and is currently the director of professional learning at Digital Promise, a nonprofit dedicated to closing the digital learning gap.

Casey Reason, PhD, is an award-winning author, speaker, coach, and thought leader in the areas of leadership development, digital learning, and the deep and substantive implementation of professional learning communities.

Richard Bernato, EdD, is an adjunct professor, education expert, author, podcaster, and blogger. With 55 years of experience, he specializes in higher education, extensive research, leadership positions in K–12 settings, and consultancy work alongside presentations for various school districts.

Suzette Lovely, EdD, an educational consultant, worked in K–12 education for 37 years, serving as a teacher, principal, assistant/deputy superintendent, and most recently, superintendent at the Carlsbad Unified School District, before retiring in 2016.

What does the future demand of education leaders? Co-Creating the Future: A Leadership Simulation to Catalyze School Change immerses school and district leaders in engaging, hands-on activities to envision and design transformative educational systems. This webinar empowers leaders to co-create thriving, future-ready schools.

Jennifer Parker, EdD, is an instructional technology and school data advisor for Macomb Intermediate School District and adjunct faculty member for Central Michigan University. Co-creator of the 21things4 Project, she’s a leader in connecting standards and educational technology.

Dr. Rivers Murphy, EdD, is a seasoned presenter and educational leader. A change agent for over two decades, she has helped transform some of the highest-needs neighborhoods and districts by improving student active engagement, teacher self-care, school culture, and academic success.

Gavin Grift is a best-selling author and is founder and CEO of Grift Education. His passion, commitment, humor, and highly engaging style have made him one of Australia’s most in-demand PLC presenters. His leadership in the education industry fueled the development of PLC networks across Australia and culminated in the establishment of the Centre for Professional Learning Communities, a cohort informed by the work and legacies of Richard and Rebecca DuFour.

Troy Hicks, PhD, is a professor of English and education at Central Michigan University, where he collaborates with K–12 colleagues to explore how they implement newer literacies in their classrooms.