Dr. Colin Ackerman is an experienced researcher and educator obsessed with exploring practical ways to innovate the K12 classroom space. After beginning his career as an early elementary teacher in Nashville, TN, he decided to pursue a career in research. In graduate school, Colin explored technology implementation in classrooms through the lens of developing democratic values (e.g., collaboration, critical thinking, responsible dissent) in a social world where technology is increasingly ubiquitous and pervasive. He then shifted his focus to Social Emotional Learning (SEL), serving as a researcher and lead SEL curriculum reviewer at the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL). Today, Colin works as a full-time K12 Research Consultant based in the Chicago Area. Colin holds a B.A. in Mass Communication, an M.Ed in Instructional Leadership & Practice, and a Ph.D. in Media Studies.

Dr. Elizabeth Anderson holds a bachelor’s of science in biochemistry and molecular biology certification; masters of science in instructional design and technology with a focus in online learning and is a Ph.D. in research methods and statistics. Dr. Anderson’s dissertation uses continuous online student behaviors in a partial credit Rasch model to measure online student engagement levels for online students in grades three through eight. Dr. Anderson has extensive experience in research- action and empirical research in both education and natural sciences- including research method development, data collection and management techniques, and inferential data analysis. Additionally, Dr. Anderson has experience working with large data sets, datamining techniques, and measure/model development techniques.

Dr. Catherine Atkinson is a researcher and edtech instructor. Dr. Atkinson’s passion for meaningful learning with technology stemmed from her work as a classroom teacher in a district where technology devices were available, but often were not used to support engaging and active learning experiences for students. She has experience conducting needs assessments, field observations, and focus groups, as well as analyzing qualitative data using thematic analysis. Dr. Atkinson has conducted program evaluations to determine the efficacy of technology to influence teacher technology practices as well as students’ perceived satisfaction with technology-mediated learning. In addition to her work as a learning consultant, Dr. Atkinson has presented at over 75 regional and national conferences in the areas of technology integration, differentiation, gifted learning, and digital literacy. Her research interests and publications focus on ways to integrate meaningful learning with technology in K-12 / teacher education and social emotional learning. Dr. Atkinson holds a B.A. in psychology from the University of California, Santa Barbara, a M.S. in Educational Technology from California State University, Fullerton, and an Ed.D. from Johns Hopkins University.

Bernadette Beavers-Forrest is a freelance instructional designer and adjunct Assistant Professor in the Instructional Technology program at the University of Alabama. She holds a Ph.D. in Instructional Leadership with a concentration in Instructional Technology from the University of Alabama. She also holds a B.S. in Counseling and M.S. Ed. in Instructional Design and Technology from Samford University. She has also completed the Quality Matters Online Teaching Certificate. She is the founder of Bernadette Forrest Solutions, an educational consulting organization.

Bernadette’s research addresses mindfulness as a holistic approach to wellness, online teaching and learning, technology integration, and technology leadership. As a scholar, she has co-authored several publications and presented her research on using mindfulness to create a balance between living, working, and learning, Cohort experiences in a hybrid PHD instructional technology program, and social justice and the digital divide among underrepresented African Americans in STEM careers. 

She is actively involved in the CLT/eMerge Africa IRCEES project, where she is engaged in cross-cultural research as a member of the Open, Distance, and eLearning (ODeL) research and mentoring group. In addition, she is co-authoring Culture, learning, and technology, and the promise of diversity, equity, and inclusion; Leading AECT into a more inclusive future (Book Chapter for Association for Educational Communications, Technology (AECT)).

Bernadette mentors service men and women in their transition from the armed services to private enterprise through American Corporate Partners’ Mentoring Program (ACP). In addition, she enjoys working with colleagues who share her commitment to promoting equity, inclusion, and social change in and through the study and practice of instructional design and technology.

Bernadette past leadership roles in human recourses have afforded her great opportunities to work and partner with people from various racial, social, gender, and economic backgrounds in the retail, law, healthcare, and academic environments. 

Bernadette is married with three children and an avid golfer who enjoys international traveling, reading, and gardening.

Dr. Carey Borkoski is an Associate Professor in the School of Education at Loyola University Maryland. Dr. Borkoski has expertise and experience in student onboarding, coaching, and identity. Her research publications and projects sit at the intersection of belonging, educating the whole person, leadership, and learning. Carey has published scholarship on best practices for online learning including cultivating community, connections, and belonging. She has written about faculty identity development, well-being, and the role of value congruence in cultivating inclusive and welcoming spaces for faculty and students. Most recently, Carey published her first book about noticing, naming, and navigating personal and professional transitions. Along with her research team, Dr. Borkoski is currently using data from her podcast to explore the many faces of belonging in schools, leadership, and during a global pandemic.

Nishant is a visual artist from Chennai, India, currently based in Maine. Ginsu Media is a full fledged creative studio that he founded in India in 2015, with the idea of telling people’s stories in an honest and relatable way using video and animation. Over the last five years, he has spent countless hours talking to people from all over the world, capturing their wellness journeys for the Indian digital health platform, HealthifyMe. Now working out of his studio in beautiful Midcoast Maine, he is helping our clients tell their story.

Dr. Eliz Colbert is the Executive Director Emeritus for NC Virtual Public School where she served for nine years. NC Virtual is the nation's second-largest virtual school with over 55,000 student enrollments annually.  The school opened in 2007 so the program was well established and able to support educators across NC during the pandemic of 2020.  

In addition, Dr. Colbert has over thirty years in service to NC public schools including twelve years as a school administrator and six years leading professional learning initiatives at the state and local levels.  She is skilled in engaging participants in the traditional setting as well as online.  Meeting facilitation, strategic planning, executive coaching, and collaborative team building are all strength areas.  

She graduated from the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill and received a doctorate from Teachers College, Columbia University.  She is the proud mother of two children who attend NC public schools. You can learn more about Eliz on LinkedIn and connect via Twitter @E_Colbert.   

Dystanie Douglas-Burger is a forever educator with a passion for serving and advocating for students of color and underprivileged backgrounds. She holds undergraduate degrees in Mass Communications Multimedia Technology and Secondary Education from Abilene Christian University, a master’s degree in Professional School Counseling from Texas Wesleyan University, and is currently working towards a PhD in Educational Psychology from Capella University. She is a Texas native, a product of the public school system, and a first-generation college graduate. Working in public education in various capacities for eight years, Dystanie is passionate about the work of being a social justice advocate and leader for people of color in education. In her past roles as a teacher, a behavioral interventionist, and a student support specialist, she has gained tools to best support student needs and help close achievement gaps. Dystanie currently oversee’s content development for Cultures of Dignity, an organization that focuses on transforming social-emotional learning by integrating principles-based approaches and shifting the conversation toward belonging for all people. It is her hope that she will be able to add and share research-based resources, gained knowledge, and personal experiences with this organization that she is so excited to be a part of!

Dr. Wendy Drexler has been a champion for empowered online learning for over 20 years.  As assistant professor at Johns Hopkins University, she redesigned and managed the Digital Age Learning and Educational Technology MS Program. Prior to that, Wendy served as Chief Innovation Officer for the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) and continues to serve as ISTE faculty. Most recently she worked on the development of the ISTE Certified Educator program. As Director of Online Development at Brown University, she led the design and production of Brown’s first online master degree programs. As a post doc at the University of Florida, she managed the research portion of the Enhancing Education Through Technology (EETT) federal Title II grant across 23 school districts in Florida. Before earning a Ph.D and Ed.S in educational technology, Wendy managed eLearning design teams at IBM and AT&T. She has taught in elementary, middle, and high school in both public and Independent school settings. As a high school teacher, she developed the first blended learning courses for Shorecrest Preparatory School in St. Petersburg. Her research interests include student construction of personal learning environments, balancing teacher control with student agency, and advancing the processes that support empowered online learning.

Vickie Echols, M.Ed., is a dedicated consultant with Wellness for Educators and Consult4Ed Group, based in Dallas, Texas. Passionate about nurturing educational communities, she is an author, coach, and facilitator of workshops for teachers and school leaders, aiming to foster a culture of support and development. Currently, Vickie is exploring how generative AI—technology that can create content and assist in decision-making—supports sustainable productivity and intentional well-being for educators. This innovative approach aligns with her commitment to integrating modern solutions into educational practices. With over forty years of experience spanning the PK-20 continuum, Vickie has worn many hats, including Elementary and Middle School Teacher, Campus Principal, District Director of Curriculum, and Director of Communication. Her comprehensive background underscores her dedication to continuous learning and growth within the field of education.

Chase Eskelsen M.Ed. spent over a decade in various education positions.  He started his education career as an administrator focused on strong operational metrics and scaling full-time, online schools (both charter and district).  Upon leaving the school management position he supported K12 Inc. with one foot in the academic policy world and the other in government affairs supporting digital educational options.  He then served as the Chief Operating Officer of Verano Learning Partners where he oversaw launching new hybrid schools and supporting the acquisition of educational opportunities until starting Fersken Education LLC in late 2021.

Milo is a graphic designer, artist, and roller derby coach living in Portland, Maine. After working as a reprographics manager of a print shop for three years, they went back to school to focus on their design skills. In May 2011, they graduated from the New England School of Art & Design with a Master of Arts in Graphic Design. A few months later, they started their graphic design firm. They have worked on print and web design projects for several companies including Gift & Housewares Marketing, HTI Buying Group, Triumph Books, Touchstone Associates, Maine Roller Derby, Turn Two Skate Shop, Student Universe, Light Impressions, and the Northern New England Poison Center. They also worked for over two years as the lead designer at Artist & Craftsman Supply in Portland. They love graphic design because it allows them to engage both sides of their brain—the creative and the analytical. They have dabbled in drawing, painting, bookmaking, sculpture, jewelry making, 3D modeling, and photography. They are a creative problem-solver that loves learning new creative techniques.

Dr. Rebecca C. Itow is Principal of IU High School Online. She earned her PhD in Learning Sciences from Indiana University, and was a public high school teacher. Driven to facilitate safe spaces for learners to navigate their academic journeys in valuable and valued ways, Rebecca researches, designs, and implements Responsive Online Pedagogical practices in online learning environments. Her work guides current University & community partnerships that innovate online teaching, learning, and design.

Shomari Jones is the Director of Equity and Strategic Engagement at Bellevue School District. He leads staff in thoughtful exploration of institutionalized racism and its impact on student learning and mentors students to raise their social awareness and help them feel more connected and engaged in the district and their communities, which has resulted in a community-wide conversation, bringing to light racial and socio-economic inequities. He serves as a powerful advocate for and witness to the experiences of students of color to help district leaders identify, confront, disrupt, and dismantle structures that limit the potential of those students. He developed several student empowerment initiatives like Students Organized Against Racism (SOAR), Breaking Out Of the Margins (BOOM), and Sistahs Having Outstanding Uniqueness Together (SHOUT), as well as parent advocacy groups like the Parent Alliance for Black Scholars (PABS). In 2019, Shomari was recognized as a “Leader to Learn From” by Education Week. He has served as the Chief Operating Officer at the Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle, a not-for-profit organization with 82 years of activism and community experience in the heart of Seattle’s most diverse neighborhood, the Central District. Shomari also volunteers at the Seattle University Center for Social Transformation and Leadership and the Bellevue Police Chief Diversity Committee. He holds a Bachelors in Science in Mathematics from Tuskegee University and has a daughter in college.

Dr. Kathryn Kennedy is founder and principal consultant of Consult4ED Group. In the past, Kathryn served as the Director of the Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute, the research arm of Michigan Virtual, Director of Research for the International Association for K-12 Online Learning (iNACOL) (now the Aurora Institute), adjunct professor and advisor for the Ed.D. program at the Johns Hopkins University School of Education, and assistant professor of instructional technology at Georgia Southern University. She serves on the Leadership Team for the National Standards for Quality Online Learning. She is one of the founding editors-in-chief of both the Journal of Online Learning Research and the Handbook of Research on K-12 Online and Blended Learning. For additional information related to publications and education, please see Kathryn’s CV. In addition to her love for education and research is her love for wellness. She has combined her work in education and wellness to serve as founder and executive director of Wellness for Educators, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that is invested in and passionate about supporting educators worldwide with research-based, trauma- and equity-informed trainings, coaching, and strategies for social, emotional, mental, and physical health and wellbeing through a variety of somatic (or mind-body) discipline. She is author of the forthcoming book The Mind-Body Connection for Educators (Jossey-Bass, spring 2023).

Liz’s work at Consult4ED Group focuses on project management, finances, website design, instructional design, proofreading, and editing. She also serves as the Chief Operations Officer of Wellness for Educators. Liz holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Natural Science with certification in Early Childhood Education from Lesley University and has worked as an administrator and project manager for health-related and education-based organizations for over 25 years. Liz is a yoga practitioner and earned a 500-hr Yoga Teacher Training certificate (YTT).

Kim Loomis has over 20 years in growing K-12 digital learning, from online teaching, virtual school admin, course design, supporting pedagogical shift, and designing deployment models. She retired in 2019 as the Director of Digital Learning in Nevada’s Clark County (the 5th largest) and continues to support digital learning nationwide. Her passion is to help others create actively engaging learning environments so that students are empowered to take ownership of their own learning.

Kate Loughrey is the former statewide coordinator for the Texas Education Agency's (TEA's) online learning initiative, the Texas Virtual School Network.

She also developed and managed a series of the state's first online and blended learning pilots and spearheaded its supplemental and full-time virtual school programs. An early pioneer in the field, she brings more than 30 years of leadership experience to the ongoing evolution of digital learning.
Kate took on leadership roles in a number of other programs and initiatives for the state of Texas as well, such as the

• K-12 and higher education collaboration, the Educational Technology Coordinating Council; and

• the statewide connectivity research project and resulting report to the Texas Legislature.

Kate was the Texas state affiliate member to the Digital Learning Collaborative and served for many years as the state representative to the

• Southern Regional Education Board’s (SREB’s) Educational Technology Co-Op, where she helped develop the very first national standards for quality online courses and online teaching;

• iNACOL (now Aurora Institute); and

• Evergreen Education Group.

After beginning her career in the media and communications industry in the northeast, Kate relocated to Texas where she served as the public relations director for several for-profit and non-profit organizations.

Consulting for a private research company, Kate moderated live focus groups, analyzed the resulting information, and summarized key findings and insights. 

Prior to her tenure at TEA, Kate worked for the Austin, Texas PBS station as a television producer, writer, and on-air host for programs addressing a wide variety of topics, including public education, arts, civic affairs, and social issues—including an award-winning series on caregiving.

Abigail “Abby” Manahan grew up in rural Maine, 50 miles northwest of Bangor and attended both public and town academy schools. The fields, farms, and forests of Alna remind her of her childhood in Atkinson, as does the independent and industrious mindset of her neighbors. She has a deep understanding of the importance of the significance that education represents for small communities. Abby has been a resident of Alna since 2004. As a certified science teacher, she brings 22 years of educator experience to the table. She has taught in Rockland and Auburn public schools, developed science and project-based curriculum, evaluated program effectiveness, and been a strong advocate for at-risk students. A common theme throughout her career has been supporting teachers in professional growth. After four years of service to the Maine Department of Education, she returned to directly support teachers and students with instructional technology in the Boothbay Region Schools. She holds a bachelor’s degree in marine science and a master’s degree in science education, both from the University of Maine, Orono.

Emma Lucille McCabe is an illustrator with experience in design, bookbinding, hand lettering, pattern design, murals, and animation. She graduated from the Maine College of Art with honors in 2015 and has exhibited her work across the U.S. and India. In 2017 Emma completed a two-month artist residency at Elsewhere Studios in Paonia, Colorado. From there she ventured on a six-month road trip through America's National Parks to create work dedicated to protecting public lands. Emma started 2019 with a residency hosted by the Goethe Institut in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Emma currently lives in Roxbury, Massachusetts, with her husband.