As seen on The Ellen Show, NBC Nightly News, and Time for Kids, Michael Bonner is an energizing voice not only in education, but for his generation. Michael has presented to thousands of people at educational conferences and corporate events across the world to share his lessons learned from teaching. His passion for creating dynamic learning environments have led to creating partnerships with Discovery Education, Lego Education, 3M, People Magazine, and more!
Mr. Bonner's enthusiastic seminars challenge listeners to reflect, strategize, and execute in order to increase their efficiency in the workplace and personal areas. He is consistently seen as a visionary leader who strives to create a positive mindset among his listeners. Individuals leave Mr. Bonner's presence ready to make an impact that affects eternity.
As we enter into the Fourth Industrial Revolution, he understands 21st Century skills must be introduced and modeled in order for everyone to grow both socially, emotionally, academically, and psychologically. He empowers his audiences to build genuine relationships with people because "You can't demand a withdrawal from someone you have never invested in." Due to his educational approach, people leave more hopeful, challenged, and prepared to be world changing citizens.
Michael is the CEO of Bonnerville where his organization works to provide self-care experiences for educators around the world. Mr. Bonner lives in Atlanta where he is the 4th grade social studies teacher and 6th grade reading teacher at the famed Ron Clark Academy!
You can learn more about Michael Bonner at michael-bonner.com and follow him on all social media platforms at @michaelbonner_.
NICHI AVINA
Born at the foot of a dormant volcano, Nichi still has vivid memories of running barefoot through the dirt roads that line the underdeveloped countryside of her native home. The socio-political unrest of the region forced her family to leave the Philippines to seek a better life in America. She moved to San Diego when she was seven and eventually received a Bachelor's in Biology at University of California, San Diego.
Nichi began working for the UCSD Cancer Center and realized that, though admirable, cancer research was not her mission so she jumped at a chance to teach Environmental Education at the Natural History Museum. When she brought the students out in nature for the first time, she knew she had found her calling. This experience, coupled with her brother’s suicide from mental-health issues and drug abuse, drew her to Education.
As a first-generation immigrant, Nichi understands the lived experiences of many of her students. It informs her teaching and drives her to bring the most transformative programs to underserved youth. At La Presa Middle School, she founded a program for students aspiring to work in medicine and through community partnerships, Nichi brought local scientists and engineers to her classroom.
At Cielo Vista Charter School, Nichi spearheaded the development of a school garden, STEAM Lab, an art-mentoring and multicultural-literacy program, and a multi-district trauma-informed workshop. As a Science Teacher and EcoRise Teacher-Ambassador, Nichi is fostering sustainable global citizens by training educators throughout the United States.
dr. Joelle Hood
As a former "Teacher of the Year" and "Principal of the Year", Dr. Joelle Hood brings passion, energy, and expertise to empowering all humans to thrive. As co-founder and Chief Empowerment Officer at Thriving YOUniversity, she uses her knowledge and expertise in organizational change and leadership, along with her experience as a mindfulness instructor and life coach, to provide researched-based keynotes, coaching, and experiential learning workshops to individuals and organizations throughout the nation. Her areas of passion and expertise include: Social, Emotional & Academic Learning, Leadership, Applied Educational Neuroscience, Mindfulness, The Science of Belonging & Human Connection, Mindset, Restorative Practices, Employee Engagement, Trust and Team-building, Trauma Responsive Practices, and Resilience.
Dr. Robin Avelar La Salle
Dr. Robin Avelar La Salle is founder and CEO of Orenda Education, a professional education and technical assistance organization. For more than 25 years, Dr. Avelar La Salle and the Orenda team have been thought partners for districts and schools aspiring to transform their systems and practices to raise student achievement. An equity warrior and an advocate for justice within the educational system, Dr. Avelar La Salle’s mission is to change the odds for the twenty million kids in US schools for whom the current systems of instruction and improvement are not working -- predominantly Latino, African American, and students from under-resourced families.
She received her Ph.D. in Education from Stanford University, and during her career has held the roles of teacher, principal, district administrator, researcher, and university professor. She is the author of many articles on education equity and several books, including her newest work Shattering Inequities: Real World Wisdom for School and District Leaders, written in partnership with Dr. Ruth S. Johnson.
Hardy Brown
A leader in conversations of historical empathy, Hardy Brown is a collector of over 15,000 historical freedom artifacts. They date as early as 321 AD and concentrate on stories of resilience. “Our traveling exhibits have been viewed by over 250,000 visitors where we emerge them in deep dialogue of the resilience of the human spirit. Over the last 27 years, the Brown family has led annual Underground Railroad study tours for leaders that are inspired to learn from the heroic voices of this time period in history.
Brown leads conversations on empathy with hundreds of teachers and thousands of students where learners gain knowledge and inspiration through primary sources. Sharing our combined story makes us stronger when we learn stories of those that fought together for change. As a two-term elected policy maker, Brown represented 33 school districts and over 400,000 students as the President of the San Bernardino County Board of Education, where he held many statewide leadership roles including with the California School Boards Association, State legislative affairs committee, and Board policy committee. He has also been awarded multiple times for the impact of his work.
Brown has over 26 years experience in social impact, research, fundraising, college career development, and the solicitation of major gifts for multiple national and regional organizations such as United Way of Orange County, the United Negro College Fund (UNCF) and Wilberforce University. Brown has volunteered his time as a board member for the Girl Scouts and United Way, and serves on the Board of Advisors for Executive Education at Howard University in Washington, D.C. Brown has been a columnist for the National Association of Colleges and Employers and the Black Voice Newspaper.
Serving as the President of The California Association of Black School Educators, the association achieved an impact that will support millions of students in the state of California. Under our support and leadership, we were successful in including the “Diversifying the Teaching Workforce Grant Program.” $350 million was added to the 2020/2021 budget to include grants for local efforts to recruit, develop support systems, provide outreach, and communications strategies that will help to retain a diverse teaching workforce that reflects the diversity of the community that a school district serves.
Induction Conference Committee
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