Dr. Rich Allen is a highly regarded educator and master trainer, with a Ph.D. in Educational Psychology. His cognitive learning theory research, which provided understanding on how the brain receives, processes, stores, and recalls information, forms the basis for his radical approach to teaching, presenting and facilitating.

In 25 years of taking his ideas around the world, he has changed the lives of thousands of educators and executives, by giving them practical new presentation and teaching techniques that massively increase personal effectiveness.

Dr. Martin Buoncristiani is an emeritus professor of physics at Christopher Newport University in the USA. He has been dedicated to science and mathematics education for over thirty five years. In his involvement in curricular development for the university he has been a strong advocate of adapting teaching methods to our current understanding of how people learn. His scientific research has focused on lasers and optical science and he was awarded the NASA Public Service Medal for his work developing instruments for atmospheric study. Throughout his career he has addressed K-12 science education, beginning with promotion of computers in the classroom in the 1970’s and extending to the introduction of critical thinking skills in the current decade.

Pat Buoncristiani has spent over thirty years as an educator committed to the belief that learning how to think is the foundation for every successful learner. She has been a classroom teacher, a teachers college lecturer and, most recently, a school principal in both Australia and the USA. Her experience includes work with school systems in the United Kingdom, the United States and Australia. She has had extensive experience training educators in early literacy development, behavior management and the development of thinking based curricula.

Lee Crockett is an international authority on teaching students the skills they need to acquire to succeed in the 21st century. He is an international keynote speaker and the director of media for the Info Savvy Group and the managing partner of the 21st Century Fluency Project. Lee is a “just in time learner” who is constantly adapting to the new programs, languages and technologies associated with today’s communications and marketing media. Lee is the author of the following titles published by Hawker Brownlow: Understanding the Digital Generation, The Digital Diet, Living on the Future Edge, Teaching for Tomorrow, Literacy is Not Enough and Teaching the Digital Generation.

William M. Ferriter is a sixth-grade teacher in a professional learning community near Raleigh, North Carolina. A National Board Certified Teacher, Bill has designed professional development courses for educators nationwide. His trainings include how to use blogs, wikis and podcasts in the classroom; the role of iTunes in teaching and learning; and the power of digital moviemaking. Bill has also developed schoolwide technology rubrics and surveys that identify student and staff digital proficiency at the building level. He is a founding member and senior fellow of the Teacher Leaders Network and has served as teacher in residence at the Center for Teaching Quality.

Douglas Fisher, PhD, is professor of language and literacy education in the Department of Teacher Education at San Diego State University and a classroom teacher at Health Sciences High and Middle College. He teaches preservice courses in literacy and English language learners, graduate courses in reading instruction and intervention and doctoral courses in policy, research and literacy. As a classroom teacher, Dr. Fisher focuses on English language arts instruction. He was director of professional development for the City Heights Educational Collaborative and also taught English at Hoover High School.

Gavin Grift has worked extensively as a classroom teacher, assistant principal and educational consultant. Gavin has led a team of teachers to develop an online Curriculum Planning Process that is being used by primary and secondary schools throughout Victoria, Australia. He has worked with schools, teachers and students in Australia and the United Kingdom in a variety of roles including: teacher, researcher, consultant and facilitator for change and improvement.

Tammy Heflebower, EdD, is vice president of Marzano Research Laboratory in Englewood, Colorado. She is a consultant with experience in urban, rural, and suburban regions throughout North America. Dr. Heflebower has served as a classroom teacher, building-level leader, district leader, regional professional development director, and national trainer. She has also been an adjunct professor of curriculum, instruction, and assessment at several universities. Dr. Heflebower began her teaching career in Kansas City, Kansas, and later moved to Nebraska, where she received the District Distinguished Teacher Award. She has worked as a national educational trainer for the National Resource and Training Center at Girls and Boys Town in Nebraska.

Timothy D. Kanold, PhD, is an award-winning educator, author and consultant. He is former director of mathematics and science, and served as principal of Adlai E. Stevenson High School District 125, a model professional learning community district in Lincolnshire, Illinois.

Martha Kaufeldt is a consultant, coach, author and keynote speaker. She specialises in curriculum development, differentiated instruction, school restructuring, assessment and brain-compatible learning strategies. Martha began her research of brain-compatible teaching and learning strategies while working with several school districts to develop gifted, talented and extended-learning programs. She delivers motivational presentations and dynamic workshops that address the fundamentals of brain-compatible learning and differentiated instruction for all grade levels. Her particular strengths address differentiated instructional strategies for diverse classrooms, including ideas for addressing gifted and talented students and second language learners.

Jay McTighe is an accomplished author, having published articles in a number of leading educational journals and has authored ten books, including the best-selling Understanding By Design. Dr McTighe also has an extensive background in professional development and is a highly regarded speaker at conferences and workshops worldwide. He received his undergraduate degree from The College of William and Mary, earned a Masters degree from The University of Maryland and completed post-graduate studies at The Johns Hopkins University.

James Nottingham is an internationally soughtafter presenter and author. With experience of teaching across the Early Years, Primary and Secondary; he identifi es powerful ways to improve classroom practice using considerable clarity, insight and humour. In recognition of his contribution to British education James was recently listed among The Future 500, a defi nitive list of the UK’s most forward-thinking and brightest innovators.

James H. Stronge is the heritage professor in the Educational Policy, Planning and Leadership Area at the College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, Virginia. His research interests include policy and practice related to teacher quality and teacher and administrator evaluation. His work on teacher quality focuses on how to identify effective teachers and how to enhance teacher effectiveness. Dr. Stronge has presented his research at numerous national and international conferences such as the American Educational Research Association, University Council for Educational Administration, National Evaluation Institute, Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development and European Council of International Schools. Additionally, he has worked extensively with local school districts on issues related to teacher quality, teacher selection, and teacher and administrator evaluation.

Carol Ann Tomlinson's career as an educator includes 21 years as a public school teacher, 12 years as a program administrator and is currently the Professor of Educational Leadership at Virginia University. Carol is author of numerous books including How to Differentiate Instruction in Mixed-ability Classrooms and The Differentiated Classroom: Responding to the Needs of All Learners.

Dr Phil Warrick, EdD is associate vice president of Marzano Research Laboratory.  He was an award-winning administrator for nearly 12 years, most recently as principal of Round Rock High School, which serves approximately 3000 students.  Dr Phil Warrick has been an adjunct professor of Peru State College since 2005.  In 2010, Dr Warrick was invited to participant in the Texas Principals’ Visioning Institute, where he worked with other principals to develop model practices for Texas schools.  He is a past regional president for the Nebraska Council of School Administrators (NCSA).  He also served on the NCSA legislative committee and was elected chair. 

Alan Wright is an experienced educator, administrator, writer and consultant.  Alan has worked extensively in Australia and the United States, promoting best practice in literacy.  In 1990 Alan received a national award for his contribution to community literacy as the co-founder of the Tooradin Writer’s Week.  Alan passionately promoted the craft of writing to students and teachers across Australia.

Kylie Lipscombe, formerly a classroom teacher, has fulfilled a range of roles all focusing on teaching and learning and building teacher capacity across both primary and secondary, public and Catholic schools.  These include Regional Literacy Coach and Project Officer, Assistant Principal, Educational Consultant and currently lecturer/tutor at the University of Wollongong.

 Her research, academic study and practice focus on the implementation of training programs and networks, coaching and facilitation in schools on building school capacity.