Dr. Manny Scott
Dr. Manny Scott is an inspiration to millions worldwide as an original Freedom Writer whose story is depicted, in part, in the hit movie, Freedom Writers. Despite a troubled upbringing and a seemingly hopeless future, Dr. Scott has overcome unimaginable obstacles and achieved incredible success. He has dedicated his life to helping others, traveling up to 300 days per year for over 20 years to inspire and empower educators, students, and leaders.
At just 16 years old, his life was hanging by a thread. Trapped in a cycle of poverty and violence, with a father in prison and a best friend brutally murdered, he felt that his future was bleak and hopeless. He dropped out of school, missed 60-90 days annually, lived in 26 different places, and felt like his life was spiraling out of control. He sat on a park bench, contemplating how to make others feel the depth of despair and anger he felt inside. He was headed down a path that would have destroyed him.
But then, he met several individuals who changed his life forever. They helped him to turn the page, and he returned to school, ending up in the back of Erin Gruwell’s English class, known worldwide as the Freedom Writers, portrayed in the hit movie. He became the first person in his family to graduate from high school, earn a Bachelor’s degree, a Master’s degree, and, most recently, a Ph.D in Intercultural Competence. Through hard work, perseverance, and the help of others, he is now living the life of his dreams.
Through his tireless efforts, Dr. Scott has helped over two thousand schools and organizations improve student achievement, teacher efficacy, and intercultural competence. He has also helped to prevent thousands of suicides. He is the author of several best-selling books, including “Even on Your Worst Day You Can Be a Student’s Best Hope.” He is also a mentor, pilot, ordained minister, content creator, and one of the nation’s most sought-after education speakers.
Jasmyn Wright
Jasmyn Wright, a globally recognized educator, author, advocate, and speaker, received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Spelman College and her Master’s in education from Christian Brothers University. A Teach for America and Fulbright Teachers for Global Classrooms alumna, she is the CEO & Founder of The Push Through Organization – a non-profit that uses innovative practices to equip, inspire, educate, and empower individuals to overcome adversity and become change agents.
An elementary educator of over 11 years, Jasmyn’s empowering and innovative teaching philosophies have been featured in a global GAP Kids back to school campaign, as well as various national and international media outlets. Her viral “push through” mantra has been implemented into adult and K-12 classroom settings across 19 U.S. states and 29 countries.
Published by Simon & Schuster, Jasmyn’s affirmational and empowering children’s book, I’m Gonna Push Through!, encourages children to access their power within and use it to overcome challenges. Jasmyn has had the opportunity to deliver two TEDx talks, as well as travel the world, leading keynotes and serving as a consultant to various educational organizations. To find out more about Jasmyn and her work, please visit her non-profit’s website at www.wepushthrough.org.
Jasmyn Wright
Jasmyn Wright, a globally recognized educator, author, advocate, and speaker, received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Spelman College and her Master’s in education from Christian Brothers University. A Teach for America and Fulbright Teachers for Global Classrooms alumna, she is the CEO & Founder of The Push Through Organization – a non-profit that uses innovative practices to equip, inspire, educate, and empower individuals to overcome adversity and become change agents.
An elementary educator of over 11 years, Jasmyn’s empowering and innovative teaching philosophies have been featured in a global GAP Kids back to school campaign, as well as various national and international media outlets. Her viral “push through” mantra has been implemented into adult and K-12 classroom settings across 19 U.S. states and 29 countries.
Published by Simon & Schuster, Jasmyn’s affirmational and empowering children’s book, I’m Gonna Push Through!, encourages children to access their power within and use it to overcome challenges. Jasmyn has had the opportunity to deliver two TEDx talks, as well as travel the world, leading keynotes and serving as a consultant to various educational organizations. To find out more about Jasmyn and her work, please visit her non-profit’s website at www.wepushthrough.org.
Featured Speakers
Dr. John Pauls
Instructional Designer and Professor
Dr. John Pauls is an instructional designer and professor from Jacksonville, Florida, who is passionate about thinking outside of the box when designing instruction! With a diverse background as a special education teacher, school-based administrator, district educational-technology administrator, grant developer and awardee, and as a Professional Learning Specialist with NCCE, Dr. Pauls’ leverages those experiences to impact the learning outcomes for learners.
Dr. Pauls is an avid content-creator, sharing videos and tutorials on his YouTube channel (@drjohnpauls), Podcast (“The Dr. John Show”) and across his social media channels as a way to provide support and on-demand learning for anyone who wants to innovate with technology. You can learn more about Dr. Pauls by visiting www.drjohnpauls.com
Tyler Rablin
Instructional Coach
I’m an instructional coach and former high school English Language Arts teacher for the Sunnyside School District in Sunnyside, WA. On the side, I run Tyler Rablin Consulting, partner with the consulting group Shifting Schools, am a contributing writer for Edutopia and EdSurge, and have been a featured speaker at conferences around the Pacific Northwest for my work with assessment and instructional technology. I have a forthcoming book from Times 10 Publishing titled Hacking Student Motivation: 5 Assessment Strategies That Boost Learning Progression & Build Student Confidence.
My educational passion is focused on the ways that intentional technology integration, modernized assessment strategies, and strong cultures of learning can allow us to provide meaningful, powerful, and personal learning experiences for each of our students.
In my personal life, I enjoy reading, running, wildlife photography, and spending time hiking and camping with my wife and two dogs.
Missy Widmann, EdD
Educator
Dr. Missy Widmann is a lifelong learner at the crossroads of education, technology, health, fitness, and community engagement. With an unshakable passion for anything related to the brain, Missy has carved a unique path in the world of learning, engagement, and well-being.
Having earned her doctoral degree in Educational Neuroscience from Northeastern University (Seattle), Dr. Widmann brings both rigor and innovation to her work. With a career spanning 24 years, she has been a dedicated educator to middle, high school, and college students while simultaneously exploring and co-creating with other preK-20+ educators to expand the field of educational neuroscience.
Missy’s influence extends beyond the classroom as the co-founder of Neural Education. Neural Education supports educators as they gain insights and expertise in neuroscience that drive positive change in how we approach education, technology integration, well-being, and fostering stronger communities.
Missy presents at local and national conferences, school districts, and universities about the neuroscience behind growing topics that include learning, attention, engagement, movement, executive function, and 21st-century skills.
Ken Shelton
Educator
Ken (He/Him/His) is a highly distinguished professional in the field of education, carrying a Master’s degree in Education with a specific focus on Educational Technology and New Media Design and Production. His academic background is complemented by over two decades of hands-on teaching experience, with a significant part of his career devoted to shaping young minds at the Middle School level through the lens of technology.
Currently, among many things, Ken provides insightful guidance as a member of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Board for several technological firms and non-profit organizations. His responsibilities extend beyond advisory roles to include policy analysis, platform evaluation, and community outreach, alongside aiding in the creation of fair and inclusive recruitment and retention programs. His endeavors aim to build a more equitable, inclusive future in the world of technology and education.
Jihan Johnston
Education Specialist
Immerse yourself in the impactful narrative of Jihan Johnston, a distinguished tech industry professional and educational specialist, proudly affiliated with Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. Her commitment to fostering positive change through gaming and esports is a testament to her visionary leadership.
Hailing from Philadelphia, Jihan earned her Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communications from Saint Augustine’s University and pursued a Master of Education in Educational Leadership from Concordia University. Driven by a desire to empower adolescents, she pioneers groundbreaking work, leveraging the power of gaming to promote financial and business literacy.
As the co-curator of BeatBotics, Jihan’s visionary leadership takes center stage, showcasing the transformative impact of digital technology in esports, gaming, metaverse, and AI, particularly within black and brown communities. Her trailblazing spirit and commitment to amplifying the voices of these communities are truly inspiring.
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Speakers
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Network with peers, explore new strategies, and discover solutions to enhance teaching and learning. Join us to stay ahead in the rapidly evolving educational landscape and drive impactful change in your community.
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“As an attendee of the NCCE Conference, I was blown away by the wealth of knowledge and innovative practices shared. Networking with other passionate educators was invaluable, and the hands-on workshops left me inspired and equipped with new tools to enhance my teaching. This conference is a must for anyone serious about driving educational change.”