Leading with Resilience: The Essential Tools for Leaders

Baruti Kafele

Principal Kafele Consulting LLC

PRINCIPAL KAFELE CONSULTING, LLC

ASCD & ISTE Author

Milken National Educator, international-renowned speaker and best-selling author, Principal Baruti Kafele has excelled in the capacity of teacher and principal. As a teacher in NJ, he was selected as the district and county teacher of the year. As a principal, he led the turnaround of four different New Jersey urban public schools, including Newark Tech, which was three times recognized by U.S. News and World Report Magazine as one of America's best high schools. Principal Kafele is the author of thirteen books including his recently released title, The Assistant Principal Identity

Dr. Keisha Chandler

Managing Director, Partner Success

ASCD + ISTE

Keisha Chandler is the managing director of partner success for ASCD + ISTE and an adjunct professor at Trinity Washington University. She began her career as a kindergarten teacher in Wisconsin and later taught middle school English and communications in Pennsylvania. She then transitioned to an education researcher role at Ceridian Inc., where she specialized in adult education and distance learning programs. Chandler later returned to the classroom and served as a reading specialist, language arts teacher and literacy coach in New Jersey. In 2007, she entered the education consulting field, providing professional development for teachers and administrators in New Jersey. To expand her business experience, she worked as a corporate trainer for UnitedHealth Group. Chandler’s love of education led her back to the field, and she became an educational consultant for SunGard Public Sector, providing professional development across the U.S. She then worked as an implementation manager and professional development manager for assessment company CORE ECS. In 2013, Chandler formed her own education consulting firm, Strategies 2 Success Inc., where she served as a senior project manager on large-scale professional development projects. She has also served as the associate director of leadership at the New York City Leadership Academy and as an executive coach with American Reading Company. She was a 2021-2022 DC Education Policy Fellow.

Kwame Simmons, Sr.

The Simmons Advantage and ASCD Faculty

The Simmons Advantage

Dr. Salome Thomas-EL

Principal

Thomas Edison Charter School

ASCD & ISTE Author

Salome Thomas-EL, Ed.D., is a K-8 principal in Wilmington, Delaware. Also a veteran teacher, EL earned national acclaim as a teacher and chess coach at Vaux Middle School in Philadelphia where his students went on to win worldwide recognition as eight-time U.S. Chess Champions. Principal EL is also the author of the bestselling books I Choose to Stay, which has been optioned by Disney Films, and The Immortality of Influence, which stresses the importance of leadership, mentoring, parenting, and service to others. He’s also the co-author of three new books: Passionate Leadership, Building a Winning Team, and Retention for a Change. EL is a frequent presenter for groups nationwide, and has appeared on C-SPAN, CNN, and NPR Radio. He studied abroad at Cambridge and the University of London, as well as at Lehigh University in Pennsylvania. He holds a doctorate in education leadership from Wilmington University in Delaware. El received the Marcus A. Foster Award for outstanding School District Administrator in Philadelphia, and the University of Pennsylvania’s distinguished Martin Luther King Jr. Award. Reader’s Digest recognized Principal EL as an “Inspiring American Icon.” He was recently featured on “Good Morning America” and has appeared on the Oprah Radio Network.