Marc Prensky(Keynote Speaker)
Marc Prensky is an internationally acclaimed speaker, writer, consultant, visionary and innovator in the field of education and learning. Marc's professional focus is on reinventing the learning process, designing new pedagogy and curriculum for the digital generation, and combining the motivation of new technology, video games and other highly engaging activities with educational and business content. Considered one of the world's leading experts on the connection between technology and learning, Strategy+Business magazine calls Prensky "That rare visionary who implements." Prensky looks at education from the perspective of the receivers (i.e. the students) rather than just the providers. He focuses on how to teach and motivate today's students, and on how to motivate and reinvigorate their teachers as well. Prensky promotes a new form of partnership between teachers and students, and, through his writings and talks, helps teachers learn to change their pedagogy to ways that are far more effective for 21st century students.

Dr. Debbie Silver (Keynote Speaker)
Debbie Silver is an award-winning educator and humorist with 30 years experience as a classroom teacher, staff development instructor, and university professor. Her numerous recognitions include being named the Louisiana State Teacher of the Year. Along the way she has taught almost every grade level and almost every kind of student. Dr. Silver has been an invited author for several educational journals and has given keynotes at state, national, and international conferences in 49 states, Canada, Europe, Asia and the United Emirates. Debbie’s book, Drumming to the Beat of Different Marchers: Finding the Rhythm for Differentiated Learning, is a best seller; and songs she co-wrote with Monte Selby are featured on his CDs.

Dr. Marcia Tate (Keynote Speaker)
Marcia L. Tate, Ed. D. is the former Executive Director of Professional Development for the DeKalb County School System, Decatur, Georgia. During her 30-year career with the district, she has been a classroom teacher, reading specialist, language arts coordinator, and staff development director. She received the 2001 Distinguished Staff Developer Award for the State of Georgia and her department was chosen to receive the Exemplary Program Award for the state. Marcia received her bachelor’s degree from Spelman College; master’s degree from the University of Michigan; specialist degree in educational leadership from Georgia State University; and her doctorate in education from Clark Atlanta University.

Jack Berckemeyer
A nationally-recognized presenter, author, and humorist, Jack Berckemeyer began his career as a middle school teacher in Denver, Colorado.  After two years of teaching he was named as an outstanding educator at his school and shortly thereafter was identified as one of the outstanding educators in the district. Jack is passionate about middle level, serving as Assistant Executive Director for 9 of his 13 years at the National Middle Level Association. He brings his energy, humor, and expertise of the middle level adolescent to all staff development as he helps teachers and administrators remember why this job makes a difference.

Kim Campbell
Kim Campbell has been a middle level geography teacher for 17 years. Currently, she is a part-time secondary mentor teacher who assists new teachers in her district, a part-time seventh grade geography teacher, and the founder and coordinator of an afterschool program for students living in poverty called S.O.A.R. (Students On Academic Rise). In 2004, Kim was a semi-finalist for Minnesota Teacher of the Year, and in 2007 received the Channel 9 Fox News Teacher of the Year Award. She has been published in the New England Journal for Middle Schools on literacy strategies across content areas and is the author of A Handbook for Closing the Achievement Gap and the 2012 release, If You Can’t Manage Them, You Can’t Teach Them. Kim continues to present and consult across the country using sessions that are known to be practical, motivational, and humorous.

Dr. Sharon Faber
A nationally-recognized presenter and consultant, Dr. Faber has been a teacher, assistant principal, principal, English and Reading Supervisor, Director of Leadership Training, and Middle School Facilitator. She has also been a professor at the University of North Carolina and Belmont Abbey College. She has written extensively in the areas of literacy and leadership at the middle and high school levels and authored the books, How to Teach Reading When You’re Not a Reading Teacher, How to Teach Academic Vocabulary, and several teaching-tips foldouts. Noted for her high-energy level, practicality, and her humor, Sharon has motivated and inspired teachers and administrators throughout the United States and Canada.

Mark McLeod
Known for his dynamic and motivating presentations, Mark McLeod was formerly principal of Collins Middle School in Collins, MS. He is currently a fulltime motivational speaker, professional development instructor, and educational consultant. Recognized as one of Mississippi’s top school administrators, Mark has shared his expertise at state and national conferences and conducted many workshops and keynotes for schools and districts throughout the United States. As an award-winning teacher and administrator, his enthusiastic and encouraging presentations leave participants inspired to plant seeds of success in their students.

Dedra Stafford
Dedra Stafford is an internationally recognized consultant and author. She creates entertaining, hands-on workshops that get educators energized and excited about teaching. As a former classroom teacher, she understands the need for practical ideas that can be implemented immediately. In addition to presenting at conferences across the nation, she is a dedicated board member of the Oklahoma Middle Level Education Association and a NMSA on-site cadre member. Dedra is passionate about middle level education and will energize participants with new and innovative ways to reach and teach the students of today.

Shannon M. Vincent, Ph.D.
Dr. Shannon Vincent is the principal at Trent Lott 6th grade Academy in the Pascagoula School District and an on-line adjunct professor at Grand Canyon University. Shannon also serves as the Past-President of the Mississippi Association for Middle Level Education (MAMLE). Shannon earned an Educational Specialist Degree in Educational Administration and Supervision, and a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership – Dissertation Topic: African American Male Students at the Middle School Level and Disciplinary Related Infractions.

Rick Wormeli
One of the first Nationally Board Certified teachers in America, Rick brings innovation, energy, validity, and high standards to both his presentations and his instructional practice, which includes more than twenty years teaching math, science, English, health, and history. Rick’s work has been reported in numerous media, including ABC’s Good Morning America, National Geographic and Good Housekeeping magazines, What Matters Most: Teaching for the 21st Century, and the Washington Post. He is a columnist for the National Middle School Association’s Middle Ground magazine and is the author of several award-winning books. Rick is a veteran of many International Web casts, and he is Disney’s American Teacher Awards’ 1996 Outstanding English Teacher of the Nation.