Greg Bishop

Tuesday, December 8

Greg Bishop is presently a national speaker on Response to Intervention Programs at the secondary level and an Intervention Specialist with the Michigan Association of Secondary School Principals.  Greg has also worked with districts across the nation in sustaining professional learning communities and building leadership capacity to take schools from “Good to Great.”  Greg is a breakout presenter for the Hope Foundation and has been a keynote speaker for the Kansas Association of Secondary School Principals and the Missouri Association of Secondary School Principals.  Greg has been a teacher, mathematics department head, district summer school supervisor, assistant principal, and principal for the past 20 years in the Detroit Public Schools and Warren Consolidated Schools in Michigan.  During Greg’s time in Warren Consolidated, he co-chaired a Professional Learning Communities model and developed intervention and prevention programs that led to Warren Cousino High School’s recognition as a Professional Learning Communities School of Excellence by the organization All Things PLC.  Greg has also been a frequent presenter for the National Dropout Prevention Network along with many other state and national conferences.  Greg has conducted specific professional development for teachers and administrators on developing Response to Intervention Programs and Sustaining Professional Learning Communities.  Greg has written articles for the Michigan Association of Secondary School Principals and has contributed by serving on state level committees regarding student achievement and accountability.

 

Lea Ann Fairall

Monday, December 7

Once described as the “heart and soul” within the team of teachers for a school-within-a school program, Lea Ann Fairall knows what it takes to overcome personal obstacles which plague our students in today’s world. Utilizing her life challenges and personal experiences, she motivates students by connecting with them on a one-to-one level. Lea Ann’s techniques have inspired students in high school and college to push beyond self defeating behaviors and pursue their dreams. As an educator for 13 years, Lea Ann is keenly aware of the challenges teachers face on a daily basis and what it takes within the classroom environment to engage students in ways which enhance performance and retention. 

Lea Ann Fairall is an award-winning educator, speaker, consultant and professional trainer known for leadership/teambuilding training, career development, workforce initiatives and preparation, school-to-work vocational programs, and employing Generation Y.

Phyllis Hostmeyer

Tuesday, December 8

Phyllis Hostmeyer provides professional development for educators.  Her focus is Language Arts: effective techniques to for teaching reading and writing, content area reading, and assessment methods. She is also a professional storyteller and in 2007, was a featured teller at the National Storytelling Conference.  Phyllis was honored as the NIE Teacher of the Year in 1992, 1993, and 1995.  From 1995 – 2006 Phyllis worked as a consultant for the Madison County ROE.

Where's Phyllis? She might be winging her way to China or Egypt to visit classrooms, or might be leading a workshop or doing storytelling in any state.  But wherever she goes she takes along a wicked sense of humor, a passion for educating students, and a deep respect for teachers.  Website: www.phylsquill.com.

Meg Ormiston

Monday, December 7
Tuesday, December 8

For over twenty years Meg Ormiston has been involved in professional development activities focused on changing instructional practice in the classroom. Meg marries her passion for technology with a deep curriculum background and over twelve years as a classroom teacher. Meg has served as a curriculum coach, school board member, keynote speaker, professional development specialist and grant facilitation specialist. Meg has also authored two books, written numerous articles, collaborated on professional videos and participates in many personal learning communities.  Meg brings all of this to each professional development session, with a dynamic presentation style and a great sense of humor. When she is not on the road Meg can usually be found at a sporting event of her boys along with her husband and golden retriever, Napa.  Website: http://megormiston.com/

Will Richardson

Monday, December 7

Will Richardson is known internationally for his work with educators and students helping them to understand and implement instructional technologies.   A former public school educator for 22 years, Will is a leading voice for re-envisioning learning and teaching in the context of the fundamental changes new technologies are bringing to all aspects of life.

His critically acclaimed, best-selling book Blogs, Wikis, Podcasts and Other Powerful Web Tools for Classrooms has sold over 50,000 copies and is already being used by tens of thousands of teachers to reinvent their practice,  His keynotes, presentations and workshops to audiences in China, Australia, Europe and throughout North America communicate a fresh and inspiring vision of what schools can and must become.  Will is also a national advisory board member for the George Lucas Education Foundation, a columnist for District Administration Magazine, and has published dozens of articles in various professional and mass market journals and magazines.  Website: http://weblogg-ed.com

Bill Ware

Monday, December 7

Bill Ware is a Language Arts Coordinator for the Lake County Regional Office of Education.  He has worked in public education as a teacher, program coordinator, and staff developer for the past 29 years.  Bill’s experiences include working as a special education teacher, Reading Recovery Teacher Leader, and literacy coach.  Bill has worked extensively with teachers in implementing instructional best practices into their classrooms.  He has supported teachers in two National Blue Ribbon Schools and worked with teachers and administrators at Carl Sandburg School in Freeport to double the number of students achieving state standards.   Bill has presented at numerous conferences and is active in literacy at the state level currently serving on the Illinois Language Arts Assessment Advisory Committee.