Google for Education Playground: Creativity, Collaboration, Critical Thinking

Dr. Desiree Alexander is an award-winning, multi-degreed educator. She is Founder CEO of Educator Alexander Consulting, LLC. She holds various teaching, administrative and technology certifications, including IC3 certification, Google Certified Trainer & Innovator, Apple Teacher, and a Microsoft Innovative Educator Trainer and Expert. She is a 2020 International Society for Technology in Education Featured Voice, 2020 Future of Education Technology Conference Featured Presenter, 2019 Customer Commitment Award Honoree from Better Business Bureau, 2017 Young Professional Initiative 40 Under 40 Awards Honoree, 2017 Center for Digital Education Top 30 Technologists, Transformers & Trailblazers among other honors. Learn more: www.educatoralexander.com.

Eric Curts is a veteran educator who started his career as a math teacher in Ohio. After teaching middle school math for seven years, Curts became a technology integration specialist in North Canton Schools where he supported teachers in integrating technology into teaching and learning, and oversaw the district’s technology initiatives. He’s currently the technology integration specialist for the Stark Portage Area Computer Consortium (SPARCC) and the Stark County Educational Service Center where he supports teachers and all schools in the consortium through tech implementation guidance and training, and assistance with G Suite for Education tools, as well as online learning programs and other technology initiatives. He also oversees and manages the annual SPARCC Educational Technology Conference that draws educators from throughout the state. Curts is a G Suite Certified Trainer and Innovator, and co-leader for GEG-Ohio, the Google Educator Group of Ohio. He shares tech resources, including training videos, help guides and podcasts, on “Control Alt Achieve,” his award-winning blog. For over two decades, he’s traveled the U.S. to provide training, keynotes and consulting.

Teresa is a K-12 Instructional Technology Coach in the McGuffey School District. She is a Dynamic Learning Project Certified Coach, a Google Certified Coach, and a Google Certified Trainer. Teresa spent her 30-year career as a classroom teacher in the East Stroudsburg Area School District and in the McGuffey School District. Her certifications included BS Elementary K-6, MS Elementary, K-12 Reading Specialist, Instructional Leadership Principal K-12, and Science 7-9. Teresa has presented at various conferences and workshops around the country including PETE&C 2019 and ISTE 2019.

Ari is an innovative educator with 9 years of experience in education & specializes in pedagogy-first technology integration to enhance practice & student achievement. Her passion is inspiring others to share their stories & skills through technology. Ari is also a Google for Education Certified Trainer and Innovator. As an Innovator & Trainer Ari works to ensure technology is implemented equitably to provide all students access and opportunity.

Jen Giffen is a Teacher Librarian and former Digital Literacy Consultant from Ontario, Canada. She is a Google Innovator (#WDC17), sketchnoter, mom of three boys and co-host of #ShukesandGiff. A former player of the game of school, Jen now seeks to ensure learning is authentic and relevant, especially for struggling students. You can often find her having a conversation with her Google Home, listening to podcasts, and watching Netflix with her husband. She wants you to know that while at first, the hokey pokey is hard, eventually you turn yourself around. #Ginger #Canadian #HashtagLover. @VirtualGiff – everywhere.

Patrick is an edtech coach and supervisor and believer in the power of a #growthmindset to #failforward en route to creativity and innovation.

Melissa Lim is a former elementary classroom teacher with 20+ years of experience in education. She currently works collaboratively with administrators, curriculum and instruction, teachers, students, and other central departments to support professional learning and the integration of technology and curriculum, in both leadership and classroom settings across Portland Public Schools.

Devin Rossiter is an academic coach in Bakersfield, CA with a unique background in sports broadcast media. Originally from Staten Island, Devin supports teachers in leveraging 21st century media and student discourse in accessing content. Rossiter additionally advocates for greater access to outdoor learning, recently launching Outsider Education Services: a design venture with a vision of facilitating learning beyond classroom walls. Devin is a Google for Education Certified Trainer and Innovator (#LON19), a co-host for the long-running television program, "Do the Math," and play-by-play commentator for Bakersfield's "Robot Rumble" televised middle school robotics competition.

Stephanie Rothstein (@srothteachlg) is a 17 Year Educator, TOSA, Co-Chair for the LEAD@LG (PBL Cross-Curricular) pathway, and 9th grade English LEAD@LG teacher at Los Gatos High School. Stephanie is a Google for Education Certified Trainer and Innovator #SEA19, New Tech Network Trainer/Teacher, Apple Educator, and Adobe Certified. Stephanie has presented on PBL, Design Thinking, and more at SVCUE, CUE Bold, TEDX, TED Masterclass, NTAC, Train the Trainer, EdTechTeam Napa, and regional events/trainings. While she completes her Admin credential this year, she hopes to model continuous growth and help inspire her students and other educators.

Kristin (aka Kritty) is a lover of sketchnotes, edtech, and playful learning. Teaching 21-century learners is student-centered, creative, and fun--including or especially math. Kritty believes in engaging learners of all ages in problem-solving, using any ways that make sense to them. Some of her proudest accomplishments are being a mom, 20+ years teaching TK-6, a BS in fine arts & an MEd in STEAM. She is an Arts Integration Cotsen Fellow Alumni, a Google Innovator (go #DEN18), and works with the UCLA Math Project when she's not teaching her students for LAUSD in Venice, CA.