Jamila Iris Edwards’ teaching career started over 20 years ago in her hometown, where she taught 6th grade English language arts and social studies. After a year in the classroom, Jamila returned to graduate school, earning a master’s in public policy from UCLA. She spent 15 years in the public policy field, advocating for better schools and healthier environments for children and families. Jamila returned to teaching when her own children were entering the school system and earned a master's in education from UC Berkeley. She's been a proud Oakland educator since 2017, teaching first, third, fourth, and fifth grades. She currently teaches fourth grade at Sequoia Elementary in Oakland. Her passions in the classroom include project-based learning, creative writing, and ethnic studies. 

BreAnn Fennell is a passionate and dedicated educator with extensive experience in teaching. She currently serves as an elementary teacher, specializing in first, second, and third grade students in Ashland City Schools. Prior to beginning her teaching journey at Discovery School in Mansfield, Ohio, she earned her bachelor's and master's in education from Ashland University. In addition to her classroom responsibilities, BreAnn has taken on a significant role as a training and development specialist with the renowned Teach Better Team. She was awarded Ohio Teacher of the Year for District 5 in 2021 and has served the state of Ohio as a teacher leader liaison for the past two years. Beyond her leadership and advocacy in the education field, BreAnn has also written several children’s books and contributed to educational publications, such as Principal Navigator magazine. In her personal life, she is a defender of the importance of play, a dedicated book collector, and a loving mother of two boys.

In his 11 years as an Illinois educator, Kevin Frederick has had the privilege of working with first graders in the Unit 4 school district in Champaign, Illinois. Prior to teaching, Kevin was a social worker who worked with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. He is committed to providing a supportive and engaging learning environment that honors the entire child through embedding social/emotional learning experiences in his instruction. He also has a passion for authentic representation in children’s literacy and ensuring equity and access for his students. Kevin is a National Board-Certified Teacher and holds a Masters in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Mr. Frederick is the 2024 recipient of the Illinois Reading Council’s Reading Educator of the year award and a 2018 state finalist for the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching.

Valente' Gibson has taught third and fifth grade over the past seven years at Jackson Creek Elementary in Columbia, South Carolina. He is also the 21st century after-school director, where he helps students and parents with academic and enrichment services. His commitment to education focuses on racial and social justice education practices that promote equity in teaching. Valente' was named the Richland Two 2021–2022 School District Teacher of the Year and was a 2023 recipient of the International Literacy Association's 30 Under 30 award.

Emely Gudiel-Rodriguez has been teaching kindergarten for the past six years at Kyle R. Wilson Elementary School in Woodbridge, Virginia. She's always wanted to work with children and is grateful to be doing what she loves. During her time at James Madison University, she worked as a long-term substitute in a dual-language classroom, teaching lessons in both Spanish and English. This experience ignited her passion for supporting the diverse community at schools and sharing her heritage. Emely loves that she gets the opportunity to begin children's educational journeys with a sense of community and family, instilling those critical values at such a young age.

Grace Hearl is currently in her second year as a teacher at East Rockford Middle School,  teaching sixth-grade ELA and social studies. With a passion for nurturing young readers, she has fostered a love for literature and critical thinking among her students. Her commitment to excellence in teaching was recognized during her undergraduate studies when she received the prestigious Ellen Foley award for the most promising English teacher at Western Michigan University. Eager to further her expertise, Grace is set to begin her master's of teaching and curriculum program at Michigan State University in January 2024, where she aims to continue her contributions to educational innovation and student development.

In her 10 years as a Massachusetts educator, Hannah Kittle has been privileged to work with students and teachers in a variety of K–12 settings. She has worked as a classroom teacher across multiple grade levels (K–6), an associate teacher, a high school tutor, and a paraprofessional in a substantially separate classroom. Currently, Hannah teaches and learns with exceptional fifth-grade students and colleagues at Joseph A. Browne Middle School in Chelsea, Massachusetts. Her goal is to effectively teach with a sociopolitical lens that provides all students with equitable access to an empowering, quality education. 

Michele Ogden is currently a teacher leader in the Irvine Unified School District in Southern California. With experience as an elementary school principal, coordinator of K–12 math and science, and teacher in Grades 1, 2, and 3, she has led district and site-based professional learning. She has also presented at local and national conferences on school culture, math education, educational technology, and relationship-building. Michele is a first-generation college student and graduated with her doctorate in educational leadership from the University of Southern California. She is an ASCD Emerging Leader 2014, has served on the boards of California ASCD and the ASCD Emerging Leader affiliates, and is passionate about creating joyful educational opportunities that support the whole child.

Melanie Okadigwe has been working in the field of education for over 15 years. She is currently the lower school learning specialist at Greene Hill School and an early childhood program facilitator at the Brooklyn Public Library. Her roles at Greene Hill have been created organically, based on the needs of the growing school community. At the Brooklyn Public Library, she works with an early childhood population by providing after-school enrichment through read-alouds, songs, crafts, and learning activities as well as interfacing with parents, providing them with tools to support learning at home. Melanie is a lifelong learner with a passion for children’s literature and is always seeking opportunities to continue to grow her skill set.

Eddie Vitcavage is currently in his third year of teaching fourth grade at Israel Putnam Elementary School in Meriden, Connecticut. His pedagogical practices foster collaborative and innovative learning spaces that are engineered toward each child's growth and development, inspired by his roots in directing theater. Within the district, he serves as an equity leader, continuously studying and implementing culturally responsive strategies in the classroom and building at large. He also facilitates the Safety Patrol, co-facilitates the Equity Ambassadors and Drama Club, and reminds students to “slay the day” every day on the morning announcements. His goal is to promote integrity and rigor in academic excellence through relevant and relatable learning experiences.

Tim Wheeler is in his sixth year of teaching and has taught third and now fourth grade. A 2019 Book Love grant winner, Tim is known at his school for promoting a culture of literacy in his classroom. He's always striving to find innovative ways to differentiate and personalize instruction, while building strong relationships with students and using technology in the process. While Tim has a reputation for silliness and might be found with a ukulele, a sock puppet, or a wig on during a lesson, he also serves as a member of his school’s leadership team, working in academics. Tim is also the current president of his local chapter of the Illinois Reading Council.

Tiffany Young-Norris is a native of Augusta, Georgia, and a product of the Richmond County School System. She began her career as a PreK teacher, but quickly transitioned to a role teaching English as a second language to students in Grades K–12 throughout the district. Tiffany is currently a kindergarten teacher at a local magnet school and has served in this capacity for the past four years. She loves working with little learners and helping to set the tone for their educational journey. Tiffany is committed to lifelong learning and strives to instill a love of learning within her students. She graduated with a doctorate in education in 2019 and continues to seek additional learning opportunities through endorsement classes and professional learning workshops. She currently holds endorsements in ESOL, gifted education, dyslexia, and reading.