Leadership Exchange

Delrose Adkinson is an assistant principal in Newport News, Virginia. She is a National Board Certified teacher and an ISTE Certified Educator. Her driving question: “How are learners’ social, emotional, [cultural], and academic learning needs at the center of my work?” (Aguilar, 2016). Delrose believes that while technology can help teachers create empowering learning experiences, accomplished teaching practices powered by positive, productive relationships are at the heart of student success. Delrose earned a Master’s in Instructional Design and Technology from Virginia Polytechnic University. She serves as the president of the Southeastern Virginia National Board Certified Teachers Regional Network.

Laurel Aguilar-Kirchhoff is a former teacher who now serves as a digital learning specialist/consultant/ISTE author. Laurel works with educators to successfully integrate educational technology into the curriculum for student learning outcomes. Her areas of expertise include digital citizenship/media literacy, blended learning, educational technology, and innovation. Laurel provides instructional practices to educators across the world as the instructor for ISTEU Digital Citizenship course and at CSUSB COE. Her ISTE book, “Bring History and Civics to Life: Lessons and Strategies to Cultivate Informed, Empathetic Citizens,'' was released 2022. Laurel was named ISTE 20 to Watch in 2023.

Listed as one of EdTech Magazine’s K-12 IT influencers for 2020, Greg is currently the Coordinator of Instructional Technology for the Hamilton County Schools in Chattanooga, Tennessee. In this position, Greg works with schools that are 1:1, assisting them in integrating the technology into their curriculum. He also serves as a Professional Learning Specialist for the Northwest Council for Computer Education (NCCE) and Apple (Contract), where he trains nationwide districts on technology tools and leadership. Most recently, he was a part of the technical working group that helped produce the 2024 National Education Technology Plan.

Dr. Monica Burns is an EdTech and Curriculum Consultant, author of EdTech Essentials (ASCD) and former New York City public school teacher. She works with schools and organizations around the world to support PreK-20 educators with thoughtful classroom technology integration. Monica’s website ClassTechTips.com and Easy EdTech Podcast helps educators place “tasks before apps” by promoting deeper learning with technology. Follow along with Monica on your favorite social channels @ClassTechTips.

Steve Dembo is the Director of Digital Innovation and mmiddle school Computer Science Teacher at Western Springs District 101 in Illinois. He is the co-author of the book Untangling the Web: 20 Tools to Power Up Your Teaching and the president of the Skokie/Morton Grove District 69 School Board, serving his third term. Dembo is a dynamic speaker on the capabilities of social networking, the power of educational technologies and the potential for digital content to empower teachers to improve student outcomes.

Marlo Gaddis is the retired CTO for the Wake County Public School System. She served other NC districts as 21st Century Learning Coordinator, Lead Teacher for Technology and Media; Lead Teacher for Math, Science, Social Studies and Technology; Technology Facilitator; and Kindergarten and First Grade teacher. Marlo serves on K12 Education Advisory Boards for the RTM K-12 Congress, Big Deal Media Power Trip, and Framework. She is on the Board of Directors for CoSN (Consortium of School Networking) and serves as Chair Elect and has her CETL (Certified Educational Technology Leader). She is currently the CEO of Gaddis Education Consulting.

Dr. N. Chaunte Garrett is the Founder and CEO of ELLE Education and EmpowHer Ed serving to empower learners and leaders to excel. She served as chief academic officer, building and district level administrator, teacher and superintendent of a K-12 campus. In her career, she successfully supported and led school transformation efforts in multiple school districts achieving improved outcomes in student achievement and academic growth. As superintendent, the campus achieved meeting academic growth across content areas with all subgroups of students by creating equitable learning opportunities and a “whole child” approach to learning.

Carl Hooker has spent the past 25 years in education as a teacher and administrator focused on the thoughtful integration of technology and innovation in schools. He consults for multiple districts across the country and is a frequent keynote speaker at state and national events. He’s also a 8-time author, 5-time podcast host, advisor to multiple ed tech companies, and National Faculty Emeritus for Future Ready Schools. Carl is also the co-founder of K12Leaders.com – A social media platform made by educators for educators. Follow him on Twitter/X @mrhooker and check out his blog at HookedOnInnovation.comCarl Hooker has spent the past 25 years in education as a teacher and administrator focused on the thoughtful integration of technology and innovation in schools. He consults for multiple districts across the country and is a frequent speaker at state and national events. He’s also a 8-time author, 5-time podcast host, advisor to multiple ed tech companies, and National Faculty Emeritus for Future Ready Schools. Carl is also the co-founder of K12Leaders.com – A social media platform made by educators for educators. For full-bio, go to https://carlhooker.com

Maraki is a Project Leader at The Decision Lab. Her research focuses on social and spatial equity in education globally, and has been featured in peer-reviewed journals, edited volumes, and international conferences. Before joining The Decision Lab, she led diversity and inclusion efforts, served as an academic advisor, and taught in U.S. higher education institutions. Maraki holds a dual-title Ph.D. in Educational Leadership and Comparative/International Education from Penn State University.

Jeffrey Kilner, M.Ed., is a technology integration specialist for the Indian River School District in southern Delaware. He supports teachers by providing training and feedback on how to equitably and intentionally integrate technology into their practice. Jeff earned a master’s degree in education from SUNY at Buffalo, and a bachelor’s in biology education from Clarion University. A former Delaware STEM Educator of the Year, Jeff served as both a fellow, and later a leading fellow, in Stanford University's Hollyhock Fellowship program. When not immersed in education, he can be found at the beach with his wife and two daughters.

Chris is the founding principal and CEO of Science Leadership Academy Schools, a network of progressive public schools in Philadelphia, PA considered to be pioneers of the School 2.0 movement. Chris is the co-founder of Inquiry Schools which is dedicated to helping schools become more empowering, modern learning spaces. Chris has won the McGraw Prize in Education and has been named Outstanding Leader of the Year by ISTE. Chris is co-author of Building School 2.0: How to Create the Schools We Need with Zac Chase and father to Jakob and Theo.

Sophia Mendoza is an innovative systems-level collaborator with nearly 30 years of experience as an education leader in the Los Angeles Unified School District and a member of the ISTE Board of Directors. As the director of LAUSD’s Instructional Technology Initiative, she leads computer science education and digital citizenship implementation. Mendoza cultivates leaders and learners for the digital world, recognized as the Latina Technology Champion, CUE Administrator of the Year, and for Best Overall Implementation of Technology by Tech & Learning. She is also the Association of California School Administrators Region 16 Technology Administrator, expanding instructional technology opportunities for all students.

Dr. Tara Nattrass is Managing Director of Innovation Strategy at ISTE+ASCD ,collaborating with educators on reinventing learning with a focus on innovative programs, professional learning, emerging technologies, and cybersecurity. Prior to joining ISTE+ASCD, Tara served as Chief Education Innovation Strategist at Dell Technologies, consulting with educational leaders across districts and states and building meaningful partnerships with national organizations. Tara also spent over 20 years teaching and leading in school districts, including as Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning for Arlington Public Schools (VA). Tara earned a Doctorate in K-12 Educational Leadership and Policy from Vanderbilt University.

Dr. Jeremy S. Owoh began his career in 2003 as an English teacher at Parkview Magnet High School in the Little Rock School District. In 2017, Dr. Owoh was named the Assistant Commissioner of Educator Effectiveness and Licensure and was later appointed as the Superintendent of Schools for the Pine Bluff School District. Currently, Dr. Owoh serves as the Superintendent for the Jacksonville North Pulaski School District. Dr. Owoh serves on the ASCD/ISTE Board of Directors as President-elect.

Dr. Noris Price is the superintendent of Baldwin County School District in Georgia. Under her leadership, the District has implemented instructional initiatives that have resulted in improved student performance. Price has served as a teacher, assistant principal, principal, associate superintendent, deputy superintendent and adjunct professor. She was selected Georgia Superintendent of the Year in 2022 and finalist for the 2022 National Superintendent of the Year. Price holds a bachelor’s degree from Wilmington College, a master’s degree from Lehman College of the City University of New York, and a doctorate in educational leadership from Nova Southeastern University.

Born and raised in North Denver, Antonio is a servant leader who has taught in, learned from, opened up, transformed, and regenerated schools throughout the city and country over the past twenty-six years. As a throughline for all these professional experiences, Antonio has dedicated his entire career to working for social change and transformation within public education through humanizing mental models and systems, culturally responsive expectations, and transformative leadership. As Director of Innovative Classroom Technology in Aurora Public Schools, he leverages his experience as an educator and school leader to develop proof-of-concept projects focusing on agentic and liberatory design.