Jack Berckemeyer (Keynote Speaker)
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.

Cynthia “Mama J” Johnson (Keynote Speaker)
"Mama J" is a national speaker, performer, and consultant recognized for her work with reaching and teaching today's youth. Motivating and refreshing individuals across the United States, she is a highly requested keynote speaker and professional development trainer with a proven track record of two decades. "Mama J" has experience in elementary, middle, and secondary education at the rural, suburban, and urban settings and has served in the classroom teaching multiple abilities including special education, gifted, and at-risk students. She has also utilized her leadership strengths as a principal at the middle and high school levels. In addition to her travels throughout the nation, "Mama J" currently serves as a middle school principal and a doctorate candidate in educational leadership at Baker University in Overland Park, Kansas.

Dr. Bill McBride (Keynote Speaker)
Bill McBride is a well-known national speaker, educator, and author.  A former middle and high school teacher and reading specialist, Bill presently trains teachers both nationally and internationally in content area reading methodologies, student motivation, and teaching to gender differences. He is also known for his heartwarming novel Entertaining an Elephant.  Already in its eighteenth printing and used by school districts across the nation, the book tells the moving story of a burned-out teacher who becomes re-inspired with both his profession and his life.  His other books include Building Literacy in Social Studies, If They Can Argue Well, They Can Write Well, and his latest book, the much anticipated sequel to Entertaining an Elephant entitled Carrying a Load of Feathers.

Kathy Hunt-Ullock
Well known for her humor and practical “hands-on” approach, Kathy has presented at schools and conferences in 48 states and 16 foreign countries. She is president and founder of Creative Solutions which specializes in innovative programs and practices at the middle level. Kathy has been a junior high and middle school teacher, administrator, and full time consultant/ speaker. She is the featured presenter on teaming in two CD’s published by NMSA. Kathy has also coauthored two books, Because You Teach and Middle School Matters with Debbie Silver, Rick Wormeli, and Monte Selby.

David Sanders
David Sanders is an energetic presenter immersed in middle level education. As an educator he has taught in rural, suburban and inner-city schools and currently works with the Georgia State Department of Education. His works have been published in Education Digest, Middle Matters Magazine and on the National Middle School Association's CDs on teaming. He has presented for numerous conferences and districts around the country and is on the National Middle School Association's on-site staff development team. David is known for his wit and hands-on practical ideas for the classroom making his presentations entertaining and insightful. Teachers and schools love his passion and ability to provide motivational and inspiring ideas for all educators.

Mark McLeod
Known for his dynamic and motivating presentations, Mark McLeod speaks to the heart of a teacher. Mark has shared his expertise at state and national conferences and conducted many workshops and keynotes for schools and districts throughout the United States. Mark has been a teacher, coach, assistant principal, and principal. He was twice selected as Teacher of the Year for Lumberton Public School District. In 2002, he was selected as Covington County School District’s Administrator of the Year and Mississippi’s Region Four Administrator. His enthusiastic and encouraging presentations leave participants inspired to plant seed of success in their students.

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 book, How to Teach Reading When You’re Not a Reading Teacher 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.

Kim Campbell
Kim Campbell has been a middle level geography teacher for 16 years. Currently, she is a part-time secondary mentor teacher who assists new teachers in her district and a part-time seventh grade geography teacher. She is also a team leader and a member of the Literacy Team. 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 the content area and has presented on numerous occasions across the country. Kim’s sessions are known to be practical and motivational in their approach as well as humorous.

Dedra Stafford
Dedra Stafford is a nationally recognized consultant and author. She creates entertaining, hands-on, interactive, 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, Dedra has also certified over 300 teachers through technology classes in Oklahoma. She is a dedicated board member of the Oklahoma Middle Level Education Association and is 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.

Janet Vernon
Known as a mentor for middle level teachers and administrators, Janet Vernon’s candid demeanor and humorous presentation style have made her a favorite at middle school conferences in the South. She has taught middle school English, science, social studies, and reading and is currently the Executive Director of Secondary Curriculum Operations for Bartlesville (OK) Public Schools. Janet has served on the Oklahoma Middle Level Educator’s
Association and is the President of NMSA after serving as the South Region Trustee for six years.

Melba Richardson
With 30 years of experience working with middle school students and educators as a teacher and principal, Melba Richardson is Academic Dean at Saint James School, Montgomery, AL. She has worked with middle schools across the country helping them to implement the true middle school concepts. Melba has served as president of Alabama’s Middle School Association and serves as the instructor for The Alabama Institute for the Education for the Arts training administrators. She is also on NMSA’s on-site professional development cadre and on the advisory board for The College of Education at the University of Alabama.