Irene Guzman has been teaching in the Santa Unified School District for 14 years. She is currently teaching third grade at Heninger Elementary School. She has dedicated her efforts to differentiate the curriculum for gifted English language learners. She has worked closely with teachers to improve support for the specific needs of gifted students in the urban setting. Guzman has worked under the USC Javits Grant as a mentor and a coach.
Anne J. Udall is the executive director of the Lee Institute, an organization that aims to build collaborative leadership, and has worked as a teacher and assistant superintendent.
Joan E. Daniels has taught in desegregated magnet schools, playing an integral part in developing challenging programs for a culturally diverse student body.
Marc Levitt is a writer/storyteller/consultant who tours throughout the United States and to over thirty-five countries. Levitt has created one-person historical shows, musically enhanced historical and ecological narratives, and award-winning audios, and has produced plays and a documentary film on Narragansett stonemasons.
Heather S. Haas is NYS certified in school building leadership, school counseling, special education, and elementary education. Currently, she is an administrator of special education. In the past, she has worked as a special education teacher, school counselor and chairperson for the committee on special education.
Danielle C. Patti was born and raised in Jamestown, NY. After pursuing a master’s in education in the field of counseling, she began her career as an elementary school counselor with the Southwestern Central School District. She later moved into a position as a high school counselor within the district to broaden her experience.
June Hetzel, professor and dean of the School of Education at Biola University, grew up in the culturally and linguistically rich basin of the San Francisco Bay Area in the Franklin McKinley School District in south San Jose. Her childhood background shaped her passion for access for all learners.