Keynote Speakers
Dr. Kimberly Johnson
Keynote Address
Monday, April 27, 2020
Children’s author and educator, Dr. Kimberly P. Johnson grew up in Shelby, NC. She is married to Jeff Johnson who retired from the United States Air Force after 22 years of service. She is the author of 22 children’s books. Kimberly received her Doctorate in Curriculum, Teaching, and Leadership from Northeastern University in Boston, Ma. she holds a Master’s Degree from Clemson University, in Youth Development and Leadership. Kimberly has an Early Childhood Education Degree and a Communications Degree from UNC-Chapel Hill. She completed her post-doctorate work in the Advanced Leadership Program at Harvard University’s Graduate School of Education. . She currently teaches at Clemson University and Clinton College and is a course facilitator for the Leading Learning and Managing Evidence courses at Harvard University in the Graduate School of Education. She has been the guest reader for President and Mrs. George Bush at the White House for the Annual Easter Egg Roll. She has been on the Today Show in New York City, interviewed by the London Times and the Tokyo Shimbun newspapers and her most recent book, No Fear For Freedom: The Story of the Friendship 9 gained national and international recognition when she spearheaded the efforts to have the sentences overturned for a group of men, The Friendship 9, who conducted a sit-in in 1961 at a segregated lunch counter in Rock Hill, SC. Learn more about Dr. Thomas at https://www.simplycreativeworks.com
Dr. Steve Perry
Keynote Address
Tuesday, April 28, 2020
Dr. Steve Perry is a leading educational speaker, founder, and head of Capital Preparatory Schools in Connecticut and New York. As an educator, social worker and public speaker, Dr. Perry frequently engages with grassroots community members and international thought leaders to inspire their work and help them understand what matters most to parents. The word most often used to describe Dr. Steve Perry as one of the best motivational speakers in America is passionate. His authenticity is a welcomed addition to any discussion rooted in improving children's lives and the community. His skills are hard-fought and have been bestowed from his rough childhood all the way up through his graduation from an Ivy League school. Dr. Steve Perry has been featured on numerous major television networks and cable news both as an analyst and a host. To learn more about Dr. Perry and his work, visit: www.drsteveperry.org.
Ronnie Thomas
Sip and Science
Tuesday, April 28, 2020
Ronnie Thomas applies his 20 years of STEM teaching experience to ensure that all learners are challenged. A two-time teacher of the year recipient, Ronnie has researched with NASA Reduced Gravity Education Flight Program. He is an enthusiastic and passionate technology-driven educator with a solid commitment to the social, academic and developmental growth of every student. Known for his engaging and versatile teaching methods, Thomas can inspire hands-on learning experiences that capture a student’s imagination. A native of Birmingham, Ronnie graduated from Alabama State University with a Bachelor's in Elementary Education and is the founder of the Georgia Science & Robotics Academy, Inc and Fun Weird Science, LLC. Fun Weird Science is the programming brand for the Georgia Science & Robotics Academy, Inc. The organization provides impactful K-12 STEAM enrichment for teachers and students through professional development, Teacher cohort coaching, STEM Saturdays (students), summer STEM enrichment (students) and interactive science shows. Ronnie resides in Atlanta with his wife and three children. For more information about the difference Ronnie is making in the lives of students, visit www.funweirdscience.com.
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Pilar Torres
Keynote Address
Wednesday, April 29, 2020
Pilar Torres is president of Fathum: Learning Solutions an education consulting company dedicated to closing the achievement gap of low-income underserved children by using innovative strategies and leveraging technology. Ms. Torres has provided consulting services on early childhood policy to national advocacy organizations, state governments in the USA, and national governments in Latin America. She has close to thirty years of experience in education and human services program design and implementation. Fathum’s e-learning training model for Spanish-speaking early childhood educators won the Harvard-Zaetnz Early Childhood Innovation Challenge in 2018. Pilar is part of the leadership team of LUNA Latinas Unidas por los Niños de America an alliance of Spanish-speaking early childhood professionals. For more information about Ms. Torres and her work at Fathum visit fathuminc.com.
Joy Winchester
Keynote Address
Wednesday, April 29, 2020
Joy Winchester has been in the field of Early Childhood Education for over twenty years. She has worked with every age group from infants to second grade. Her focus with the Department of Early Childhood Education is to support children from birth to 5 in childcare, family childcare, and First Class Pre-k. Her experience working with Head Start and Migrant Head Strat has shown her that high-quality programs can and do make a difference in not only the lives of children but also the families in the program. Joy Winchester also works with challenging behaviors focusing on building social and emotional skills and using the latest research in neuroscience to support the adults in the child’s life to support the child through their challenging time.