Erin Jones, Independent Education and Systems Consultant, Public Speaker, Former Candidate for State Superintendent (OSPI)
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Erin Jones has been involved in and around schools for 30 years. She has taught in a variety of environments, from predominantly Black to predominantly White to some of the most diverse communities in the nation. Erin received an award as the Most Innovative Foreign Language Teacher in 2007, while teaching in Tacoma and was the Washington State Milken Educator of the Year in 2008, while teaching in Spokane. She received recognition at the White House in March of 2013 as a "Champion of Change” and was Washington State PTA’s “Outstanding Educator” in 2015. After serving as a classroom teacher and instructional coach, Erin worked as an executive for two State Superintendents. Erin left the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction in 2012 to work in college-access at the school district level. She left her job to run as a candidate for State Superintendent and was the first Black woman to run for any state office in Washington state, a race she lost by a mere 1%. Erin has 3 adult children – a daughter who graduated from Central Washington University and works for the Equity in Education Coalition, a son who recently graduated from Harvey Mudd College and is in his second year of graduate school at USC and one who attends college and coaches high school football with her husband of 27 years, James, who is a teacher and head football coach at Timberline High School in the North Thurston School District. When the pandemic stopped schools and travel in March, Erin decided to take her skills and passion online. She offered 83 days of free teaching to both children and adults from mid-March to the end of June. Her choice to engage, especially as racial and political conflict erupted across the nation, created a platform for her to be more engaged as a speaker and trainer now than ever in her career. She has logged thousands of hours on Zoom delivering keynotes, doing school assemblies and providing training to government agencies, non-profits and schools, and she continues to facilitate free virtual gatherings for adults and children several days per week.
Sample talks: Two TEDx Talks –
“Passion for Change” and
“Be A Bridge”
Sample podcast:
“Co-creating Classroom Expectations”
Claire Latané, Landscape Architecture Professor, California State Polytechnic University
Claire Latané is a professor of landscape architecture at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona (Cal Poly Pomona). She has practiced landscape architecture since 2006. Claire applies research connecting designed environments with mental health, safety, academic success, and physical and social outcomes to transform schools and community spaces. Her book
Schools That Heal: Design with Mental Health in Mind gives school administrators, teachers, public health experts, planners, designers, and community members practical strategies and resources to create healthier, more equitable, and climate resilient schools and communities.
Jill Ackers, ALEP, Principal and Senior Learning Designer, Fielding International (FI)
Jill has led, taught, and consulted with schools and organizations worldwide to transform various learning ecosystems for the 21st century. As an educator with 20+ years of experience, she brings her passion for constructivist learning, languages, and technology to educators through authentic, relevant learning and professional development. She has consulted for PBL Works, P21, World Leadership School, and Teach Thought. She is the co-author of Developing Natural Curiosity through Project-Based Learning and Leverage Technology to Enhance PBL. Jill’s recent work with community-based learning Preparing The Workforce for the Next Generation was highlighted in Forbes.com. She designs and supports global learning communities around the world.
Jay J. Litman, AIA, Partner, Fielding International (FI) and Principal Architect, FNI/Rhode Island Studio
Jay's 42-years of professional experience has focused primarily on the planning and design of educational facilities; campus planning and libraries. He has worked nationally and internationally to transform the learning environment for the 21st-century child. His work includes public and religious schools here in the U.S. and international schools abroad spanning a broad range of cultures and norms. Recent work includes transformative work in Cranston, RI, Chappaqua, NY, and Rye, NY here in the US and International Schools in Kazan, Tatarstan, RF; Col-legi Monserrat, Barcelona, Spain; The Canadian Academy of Kobe, Japan; the International School of Basel, Switzerland and the Anglo American School Moscow. His interest in the development of student-directed learning spaces that support multiple intelligences and a wide range of learning modalities initially came from a study of best practices for the hearing impaired. Fielding International is a two-time winner of the McConnell Award. In 2009, the Fi (formerly FNI) was awarded an A4LE International Award of Distinction for the Sinarmas World Academy in Indonesia. Jay and Jill have lectured previously at conferences for the AAIE, the A4LE and at NEOCON as well as internationally.
Dr. RJ Webber
Dr. RJ Webber has been a passionate ally and advocate for students and teachers for his entire career. He has a focus upon instructional design, curricular design, and social justice that creates space for all stakeholders to reach their potential. In 1991 RJ earned the Alma College Jerry Smith African Teaching Fellowship, committing to a year of teaching at the Mayflower Junior School in Ikenne, Nigeria. It was in Nigeria that RJ began to understand the importance of the educational environment and instructional design. While in Nigeria, RJ traveled extensively throughout West Africa. He experienced firsthand the power of education as a counter to oppression and a passport to hope.
RJ’s teaching career spanned two continents and three school districts. RJ has served as a middle school assistant principal, middle school principal, and high school principal. RJ also earned honors from the Michigan Science Teachers Association as their administrator of the year in 2010.
RJ transitioned to his current role, Assistant Superintendent of Academics for the Novi Community School District, in 2010. His tenure in Novi has seen the articulation of a publicly searchable K-12 curriculum, the first of its kind in Michigan. The district has also launched extensive assessment and teacher evaluation efforts connected to the fully articulated curriculum. RJ has also led a community wide approach to social justice efforts that focus upon student and educator voice. He has partnered with the University of Michigan School of Social Work, Oakland Schools, and the Novi Public Library to offer training in culturally relevant instruction.
RJ has cultivated a deep interest in the design of schools, classrooms, and ergonomics as they relate to improving measurable learner outcomes. RJ has traveled to Japan, Germany, China and multiple schools throughout the United States to study innovative school design. RJ believes in a symbiotic relationship between physical space, curricular space, and emotional space to provide a path for each learner, whether teacher or student, to live the life they deserve.
Finally, RJs teaching and leading experiences make him an asset to the Fielding International team. He has expertise in strategic planning, curriculum mapping, culturally relevant instruction, and has successfully led change in several schools, districts, and organizations. He has a passion for the transformative power of education that makes him eminently committed to any endeavor that furthers the opportunity to learn.
Julie Leary, AIA, LEED AP BD+C, Senior Architect, Clark Nexsen
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Julie is a senior architect whose technical expertise reflects a passion for educational environments. She is committed to incorporating evidence-based design solutions to deliver effective, environmentally conscious, and community responsive design. Julie is LEED accredited professional specializing in building design and construction. She received both a Bachelor of Architecture and a Bachelor of Environmental Design in Architecture from the College of Design at NC State University.
Donna Francis, AIA, LEED AP BD+C, ALEP, Principal, Clark Nexsen
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Donna has focused her career on educational spaces and is passionate about design that supports and enhances student learning. She is a managing principal at Clark Nexsen, leading the K-12 Education practice. As an Accredited Learning Environment Professional, she has a well-established understanding of the connections between student learning and how the built environment supports student achievement. Donna holds a Master of Architecture and Bachelor of Environmental Design in Architecture from NC State University.
Becky Brady, AIA, LEED AP BD+C, CDT, Senior Architect | Associate, Clark Nexsen
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Becky is an architect specializing in K-12 education design and a leading advocate for the creation of safe, engaging learning environments. Becky partners with her clients to understand their concerns and priorities and develop solutions that respond to each community’s unique educational needs. She is experienced in space planning, programming, design development, inter-disciplinary coordination, and the creation of specifications and construction documents. A proud Hokie, Becky holds a Bachelor of Architecture from Virginia Tech.
Diann Kearney, Ed.D., Principal Coach and Interim Principal, Wake County Public Schools
A native of Greensboro, NC, Diann serves as principal coach and interim principal with Wake County Public Schools. She retired as principal of Apex High School after thirty years in public school leadership. She holds an undergraduate degree in secondary education from NCSU, a masters in school administration from UNCW and a doctorate in education from NCSU. She taught grades 5 through 12 and served as principal at the elementary, middle and high school levels.
Kelly Callahan, AIA, Principal, VMDO Architects
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Kelly is a design principal in VMDO’S innovative K-12 studio with over 30 years of educational planning and design experience to create happy, healthy, and high-performing places for learning. Her projects have been recognized at regional, state, and national levels for educational innovation, user satisfaction, and design excellence. She leads an inclusive design process, seeks synergistic solutions, and creates spaces that protect, support, and uplift people. Kelly was the project architect for Buckingham County’s Primary & Elementary Schools, Harrisonburg’s Bluestone Elementary School and Elon W. Rhodes Early Learning Center, St. Paul VI Catholic High School campus, and Winchester’s Shihadeh Innovation Center. She is an invited jury critic for Virginia Tech’s Architectural program, AIA North Carolina’s Design Awards, and currently serves as President of AIA Central Virginia.
Dr. Jason Van Heukelum, Ed.D., Superintendent, Winchester Public Schools
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Dr. Jason Van Heukelum has worked in the field of education for 20 years, including three years as the Headmaster of an International School in La Paz, Bolivia. His experience includes serving as a math teacher, coach, high school assistant principal, middle school principal, deputy superintendent, and is presently serving as Superintendent of Winchester Public Schools. Dr. Van Heukelum is dedicated to the implementation of the Winchester Public Schools’ Strategic Plan - Empower 2025. Combining his experience from the classroom, school, and division level, Dr. Van Heukelum is actively leading the charge to embrace the pride and tradition of Winchester along with innovative thinking for the future.
Ed Smith, Director of Operations, Winchester Public Schools
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Philip Donovan, AIA, LEED AP BD+C, Community Studio Principal, Little Diversified Architectural Consulting, Inc.
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Philip, the Community Studio principal at LITTLE in Orlando, FL. has over 14 years of experience deeply rooted in the design of high-performance, zero-energy learning environments that focus on the health and well-being of the occupants. He has served as a project architect on three net-zero energy schools. He also served as a technical peer reviewer for the Advanced Energy Design Guide for K-12 Schools: Achieving Zero Energy and the USGBC’s Center for Green Schools.
Tomás Jiménez-Eliæson, AIA, M.Arch, LEED AP BD+C, Partner & Design Principal, Little Diversified Architectural Consulting, Inc.
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Tomas is a Partner & Design Principal for the Community Practice Area at Little, an industry-leading architecture and design firm with more than 410 professionals in seven locations across the country. Tomas is focused on projects that fuse typological redefinitions and environmentally conscious design with leading-edge technology and innovation. He is highly passionate about the future of education and has written about the Immersive Learningscape, an innovative approach to future learning spaces.
Michael Meechin, Principal, NeoCity Academy High School, School District of Osceola County
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Michael has worked with schools in Central Florida and Atlanta. Mr. Meechin serves on the Advisory Board for the Future of Educational Technology Conference, is a member of the State of Florida AVID Principals' Collaborative and is a Fellow of the Florida Department of Education Brian Dassler Leadership Academy. In 2018, Mr. Meechin was named Florida’s Innovative Principal of the Year by the Florida Council of Instructional Technology Leaders.
Patrick Davis, Principal, Perkins Eastman
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Patrick is the K12 leader for PE Strategies, the strategic planning and consulting arm for Perkins Eastman. Through his extensive experience at two large urban school districts, Patrick has demonstrated that successful learning environments are imagined well before a design even starts and that great buildings begin with thoughtful visioning and data-informed strategic planning. Patrick’s planning has led to multi-billion-dollar investments in school facilities in Washington D.C. and Baltimore.
Sean O’Donnell, FAIA, LEED AP, Principal & K12 Practice Area Leader, Perkins Eastman
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A recognized leader in educational facility planning and design, Sean is Perkins Eastman’s international K12 practice area leader. Over his 25 years of experience designing great learning environments, on projects ranging from the development of a program, the evaluation of an existing building, to the design of new campuses, he has worked to ensure that the learning environment is fully supportive of all of the users’ physical, intellectual, social/emotional, organizational and technological needs.
Charles Tilley, AIA, REFP, Principal, Quinn Evans
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Charles is a principal with Quinn Evans and a leader in QE’s learning environments practice. Central to Charles’ design approach is his personal commitment and passion to achieve highly creative, integrated design results that enhance our clients’ goals through a highly sustainable and collaborative process. He holds a Master of Architecture from Clemson University.
Joe Cellucci, AIA, Principal, Quinn Evans
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Joe is a principal with Quinn Evans and a leader in QE’s learning environments practice. As a K12 architect, Joe applies his knowledge of sustainable building to schools, searching for that intersection where teaching pedagogies are supported by insightful design. Our clients appreciate his ability to build consensus and steadily move projects forward.
James Roberson, Instructional Specialist for Environmental Literacy, Prince George's County Public Schools, Maryland
James works for Prince George’s County Public Schools located in the Washington, DC metro area, as an Instructional Specialist for Environmental Literacy. He is based at the William S. Schmidt Outdoor Education Center (Schmidt Center) in Brandywine, MD. James leads an Environmental Literacy team in creating, implementing, and monitoring programs developed to support environmental education and Maryland’s Environmental Literacy standards. He also provides educational leadership to staff, schools, and community partners through curriculum development, teacher professional development, on site program implementation, and fostering partnerships that support the mission of the Schmidt Center.
Derwin Broughton, AIA, NCARB, Principal, KAI Enterprises
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Derwin accountable for Business Development and Client Relationships for the firm’s offices in Texas, Georgia and Missouri. As an award winning designer his entry for the Gus Garcia Park Design Competition in Austin, Texas took top honors. He is an advocate for the inclusion of minorities within the design industry. Derwin is also a past President of the Dallas Chapter of the National Organization of Minority Architects. Derwin currently serves as the Vice President for the Community and Economic Development Corporation for the City of Duncanville. In 2013 Derwin was recognized by the American Institute of Architects (AIA) as recipient of the Young Architects Award. Derwin was named “20 Under 40” by Engineering News and Report in 2015 as a young construction professional making an impact in the industry and community. In 2017 the Dallas Business Journal recognized Derwin as “20 Under 40” of professionals making a difference in their communities and careers in Dallas. Derwin currently serves as the Vice President of Advocacy for the Texas Society of Architects. A native of South Carolina and graduate of Clemson University, he is married to his college sweetheart Michele.
Darren L. James, FAIA, President, KAI Enterprises
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Darren is President of KAI Enterprises, a national design and construction services firm with seven offices. In this role, Darren is responsible for enterprise marketing/sales. Darren creates growth strategies for each business unit of KAI Enterprises’ four companies. Darren also serves as President of Fair Park First, the non- profit tasked with managing historic Fair Park for inclusive and equitable community daily use. He has also been elected Chair of the Dallas Black Chamber of Commerce for five consecutive terms and serves on the Board of Directors for the Dallas Citizen’s Council and the Real Estate Council.
Joe DeSensi, Ed.D., President and Managing Partner, Educational Directions, LLC
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Joe is the president of Educational Directions. He has an undergraduate degree from Bellarmine University, a graduate degree from Webster University, and a doctorate in leadership education from Spalding University. Dr. DeSensi works with school districts across the Southeast and Midwest. He developed enterprise software to help districts track data and target students’ needs, and he holds patents in school data-management software and database integration. Dr. DeSensi also teaches graduate classes at Spalding University.
Lenore Weiss, CID, ASID, Principal, Spectrum Design, PC
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Lenore graduated from the University of Virginia with a degree in Architecture. Lenore has practiced interior design and architecture for twenty-nine years. Lenore is a principal at Spectrum Design, an Architecture and Engineering firm, in Roanoke, Virginia that specializes in K-12 Education. Throughout her career her passion has been on how people experience space and how the built environment affects individuals’ mental and physical wellness, and their ability to learn.
Dian Paulin, M.Ed., NCIDQ, ALEP, Educational Planner/Interior Designer, Ballou Justice Upton Architects
Dian is an Accredited Learning Environment Planner and Interior Designer with over 28 years of experience in the field of design. Over her career she has grown more passionate about how physical learning spaces can better support learning and overall wellness of students and teachers. With a passion and joy in lifelong learning, she recently went back to attain her graduate degree in Educational Psychology – Applied Developmental Science at the University of Virginia School of Education and Human Development.
Tammy Riggs, Principal, Colonial Elementary School
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Tammy is currently the principal at Colonial Elementary School for Botetourt County Public Schools. Tammy received her Bachelor’s degree from Radford University and her Master’s degree from the University of Virginia. During her career she has taught fourth, second and first grades as well as served as an Assistant Principal. Tammy has been the principal of Colonial Elementary School for the last 20 years. She is most proud of their school winning the National Blue Ribbon Award in 2018.
Peter Noonan, Superintendent, Falls Church City Public Schools
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Peter is a life-long educator having taught and administered at all levels in schools and systems from New Mexico to Virginia. He is the current Superintendent of School for Falls Church City Public Schools, and led the construction of their new high school.
Wilfredo Rodriguez, Designer, Stantec Architecture
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Wilfredo is a school designer who collaborated on the design of the new Meridian High School in Falls Church, Virginia.
Bill Bradley, Principal Architect, Stantec Architecture
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Dr. Bill Bradley is a planner and architect who collaborated on the design of the new Meridian High School in Falls Church, Virginia. Dr. Bradley is also chair of the A4LE's International Board of Directors having previously served as chair of the Virginia chapter and Southeast region.
Rick Schneider, AIA, LEED AP, Principal, ISTUDIO Architects
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Rick promotes the development of sustainable building issues through his work with the AIA Committee on the Environment + the US Green Building Council. He teaches community-based sustainable design in lectures and seminars with organizations like the Kresge Foundation, the National Building Museum, the American Institute of Architects, and the Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum. He maintains a mentorship program to teach at-risk youth about architecture. AIA name Rick the “Young Architect of the Year.”
Michele Broughton, Ed.D., Executive Director, Transformation and Innovation Schools, Dallas Independent School District
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Dr. Broughton has nearly twenty years of experience in education and has served in the roles of Teacher, Instructional Coach, Assistant Principal and Principal. Her work is now centered in hiring and managing school leaders who develop startup transformation schools. Broughton received formal training at Clemson University (B.A.), Texas Woman's University (M. Ed), and Southern Methodist University (Ed.D).
Ann Neeriemer, AIA, LEED AP, Associate Principal, Perkins Eastman
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Ann has a passion for place-making and community-based design which she has utilized on a variety of project types, including master and campus planning, mixed-use developments, and primary and secondary education facilities. With 15 years of experience in all phases of design and construction, Ann's expertise in visioning, master-planning, and programming for educational spaces guides schools to create sustainable facilities for the future.
Becky Baylor, Learning Experience Coordinator, Meteor Education
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Becky is a passionate educator who delivers high-energy presentations that invite audiences to engage in deep thinking about educational practices and research while considering their own learning environments. Educators love working with Becky, often describing her as the "coach I never knew I needed."
With over fifteen years of public school teaching and coaching experience, a knack for making meaningful connections with educators and an insatiable appetite for helping others maximize learning experiences, Becky knows how to rock a platform, connect with teams and provide training so that others can effectively impact their spaces too.
David Stubbs, President, David Stubbs Design
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Founder of David Stubbs Design, David is the creator of award-winning educational furniture solutions that continues to ignite the
industry. From his work in public school facilities, his passion focuses on the social/emotional and physical requirements of our
stakeholders supporting manufacturer’s, designers and school communities throughout the world from the disruptive approach to
design. David is not only an innovator, researcher, designer, and creator, he is also a writer, consultant, advisor, and speaker. Check
out his most recent book,
Hinge and Pivot.
David Schrader, AIA, LEED AP, Managing Partner and Lead Academic Programmer, Planner and Designer, SCHRADERGROUP architecture LLC
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For over two decades, the professional experience of Mr. Schrader has been focused on the design of educational facilities. Mr. Schrader acts as Principal in Charge and leads the design team throughout project duration to develop and execute design solutions that achieve all client goals. His ability to create a vision with his clients has fostered significant success for all involved including the client, the design team and the public-at-large.
Dr. John Toleno, EdD, Superintendent, Upper Merion Area School District
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Dr. Toleno is the Superintendent of the Upper Merion Area School District in suburban Philadelphia with approximately 4000 students. The School District is currently completing the design of a 340,000 SF state-of-the-art high school to provide career and higher education level spaces for the students to engage in the 21st century learning activities of research, develop and present. This unique facility will provide the students with tremendous additional learning opportunities once it's constructed in 2022.
Carol Cash, Professor of Practice, Virginia Tech
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Dr. Cash is a life-long educator, serving at all levels of public education, both within the United States and internationally. She has been recognized as Virginia’s Secondary Principal of the Year and Zama’s Teacher of the Year in Japan. She has degrees from the University of South Alabama, George Washington University, and Virginia Tech, and is a Professor of Practice for Educational Leadership at Virginia Tech. She continues to pursue research on educational facilities.
Jodie Brinkmann, Assistant Professor of Practice, Virginia Tech
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Dr. Brinkmann earned her B.A. from Clarion University of Pennsylvania in Elementary and Early Childhood Education, M.A. from Virginia Commonwealth University in PK-12 Education Administration and Supervision, and Ed.D. from Virginia Tech in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies. Dr. Brinkmann is an assistant professor of practice in Virginia Tech’s School of Education, Educational Leadership Program. Dr. Brinkmann’s research interests include: curriculum and instruction, special education (specifically collaboration and co-teaching) and educational leadership and policy studies.
Ted Price, Visiting Professor, Virginia Tech
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Dr. Price is a Visiting Assistant Professor in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies at Virginia Tech. His research focus includes at-risk students, leadership, change management, strategic planning, principal and superintendent preparation. Dr. Price earned his Ph.D. from the University of Southern California. Former positions in education include teacher, program specialist, coordinator, director, principal, assistant superintendent and superintendent. He continues to consult business and industry on change management and organizational development.
Danielle Norris, Director of Compass Academy & Virtual Learning, Middlesex County Public Schools
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Director of Compass Academy & Virtual Learning for Middlesex County Public Schools, Danielle has K-12 experience as a teacher, building administrator, and division leader. With no intention of making a career out of education, Danielle began teaching high school English in 2008. Seven years later, and deeply invested in education, she pursued a Masters of Science in Education. In 2016, she accepted a position as the assistant principal of Middlesex Elementary School. After four years as a building leader, an opportunity to put relationships, relevance, and rigor at the heart of her program arose. Danielle believes deeply that education is more than molding students to fit a school but more about molding schools to fit students.
Tony Hans, CMTA, Inc.
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As CMTA’s National Director of Sustainable Projects, Tony works with architects and owners to increase the sustainability potential for projects and the built environment. He has served the majority of CMTA’s Zero Energy projects, including Warren County Public Schools' Richardsville Elementary - the first Zero Energy Public School in the United States, and more recently, Arlington Public Schools' Discovery Elementary School - the largest Zero Energy School in the U.S.
Heather Jauregui, PE, LEED AP BD+C, O+M, CHPC, Assoc. AIA, Director of Sustainability, Perkins Eastman
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Heather is a Sustainability Specialist who combines her research and architecture passions to propel the industry toward sustainability. She educates architects and provides them with access to research and tools needed to integrate sustainability into the design process. Heather also works as an internal consultant to guide the design process. Her expertise in passive design, building science, Indoor Environmental Quality, and pre/post-occupancy evaluations provides invaluable contributions to both projects and the firm.