Emmai Alaquiva

CEO, Ya Momz House, Inc.

Bio:

Emmai Alaquiva, an Emmy Award-winning film director, photographer, and composer, skillfully showcases soulful accounts of humanity across multidisciplinary art platforms. Once homeless, Alaquiva shifted the trajectory of his life’s path to become one of the most distinct trailblazers in the arena of creative arts. Today, he is a Fox Rothchild’s “Top CEO” of Ya Momz House, Inc, a digital multimedia agency, co-founder of Hip-Hop On L.O.C.K., an arts education program for youth K-12 and curator of the interactive photography exhibit, OpticVoices. Alaquiva’s enraptured work can be seen internationally on the PBS, BBC, NBC and CBS networks. This 8-Time Telly Award-winner now serves on the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts under Governor Tom Wolf, honored as Black Enterprise Magazine’s “BE Modern Man of Distinction” and is a national BMe Community Leader recognized by President Barack Obama. The Sky is NOT the limit.

FB: @emmai.alaquiva

t: @Emmai_Alaquiva

Gregg Behr

Executive Director, The Grable Foundation

Bio: In his  role at the Grable Foundation, Gregg Behr manages a grantmaking portfolio advancing high-quality early childhood education, improved teaching and learning in public schools, and robust out-of-school time support. From 2002-2006, Mr. Behr served as president of The Forbes Funds, another Pittsburgh-based foundation that supports nonprofit capacity-building, research, and leadership development. Nationally, he is a trustee for GreatNonprofits.org and Grantmakers for Education. In Pittsburgh, he co-chairs Remake Learning. In 2016, the White House recognized Mr. Behr as a Champion of Change for his efforts to advance making and learning; in 2015, he was recognized as one of America’s Top 30 Technologists, Transformers, and Trailblazers by the Center for Digital Education; and in 2014, Gregg accepted the Tribeca Disruptive Innovation Award on behalf of Pittsburgh’s efforts to reimagine and remake learning.

t: @greggbehr

Ashly Carney

Teacher, Monessen High School

Bio: Ashly is a Business, Computer, and Information Technology teacher at Monessen Middle/High School.  She has a passion for learning and providing students with new and engaging opportunities that help them connect to the world in meaningful ways.

t: @ashcar108

Erin Cawley

Program Manager, Carnegie Mellon University CS Academy

Bio: Erin strives to ignite a passion for creativity and innovation in our youth by empowering them with the knowledge and know how to create with, rather than just consume technology.  She obtained a Masters Degree in Instructional Technology from Duquesne University and was a Technology Integration Specialist and a Computer Science teacher for Avonworth School District. She is now the Program Manager for CS Academy, a new project at Carnegie Mellon University developing a novel, world-class, online, interactive high school computer science curriculum free for all to use.

t: @ectechtastic

Noelle Conover

Founder, Matt’s Makerspace

Bio:  Noelle Conover is the founder of Matt’s Maker Space, Inc., an organization dedicated to inspiring a a new generation of creative, collaborative

FB: @mattsmakerspace

t: @mattsmakerspace

Joseph DiLucente

Curriculum Coordinator, Westmoreland Intermediate Unit

Bio: Joe is a Curriculum Coordinator at Westmoreland IU #7, focused on STEM and ESL. He strives to promote access to creative and fulfilling learning environments that represent the needs of our dynamic learners. He promotes teacher collaboration and computer science professional development within the region as part of his work toward these goals. As an adjunct professor and consultant within the ESL realm, he keeps in mind the need for accessibility that goes beyond content accommodations to include language- and culture-based adaptations.

t: @JoeDiLucente

Ted Dintersmith

Author/Filmmaker/Venture Capitalist, What Schools Could Be and Most Likely to Succeed

Bio:  Ted Dintersmith is an author, film executive producer, and venture capitalist. In 2015-2016 school year, Dintersmith went to all fifty states, visiting some 200 schools. He was stunned by the innovative classrooms and schools found across the country which he captured in his recent book What School Could Be: Insights and Inspiration from Teachers Across America In addition, he produced a feature length documentary on education titled Most Likely to Succeed.

t: @dintersmith

t: @MLTSfilm

#WhatSchoolCouldBe

Cyrus Driver

Interim Executive Director and Senior Director of Strategy and Program, National Public Education Support Fund

Bio: Cyrus Driver joined the National Public Education Support Fund in April 2015 as Senior Director of Strategy and Program to lead their growing partnership strategies, and is currently NPESF’s Interim Executive Director. Cyrus worked at the Ford Foundation from 1998-2011.  Most recently, he was Vice-President for Strategy at the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, launching their efforts to become a visible leader on issues of regional inequality. He co-directed coalition-building and parent-organizing strategies at Designs for Change, which led the movement to decentralize Chicago’s public schools. He has authored published works on education, and worked as a policy analyst for the Oakland and Berkeley, CA school districts.

Future Ready Schools® & Alliance for Excellent Education

The Alliance for Excellent Education (All4Ed) is a Washington, DC–based national policy, practice, and advocacy organization dedicated to ensuring that all students, particularly those underperforming and those historically underserved, graduate from high school ready for success in college, work, and citizenship. all4ed.org

FB: @All4Ed

t: @All4Ed

Future Ready Schools® (FRS) is a bold effort to maximize digital learning opportunities and help school districts move quickly toward preparing students for success in college, a career, and citizenship. FRS provides districts with resources and support to ensure that local technology and digital learning plans align with instructional best practices, are implemented by highly trained teachers, and lead to personalized learning experiences for all students, particularly those from traditionally underserved communities. FRS is led by the Alliance for Excellent Education alongside a vast coalition of organizations. FutureReady.org

FB:  @FutureReadySchools

t: @FutureReady

 

Mandi Figlioli

Assistant to the Superintendent, Burgettstown Area School District and Author of Miss Makey and The Magic Bin

Recommended Remake Events: The Burgettsown Area School District is proud to host their 4th annual Remake Days events. The Burgettstown Middle High School will showcase student projects on Thursday, May 9. The Elementary Center will host their event on Wednesday, May 15. Both events will not only feature student projects, but also concerts and interactive experiences for the whole family.

As a lifelong West Virgina resident, I am thrilled to see the Remake Learning Network make its way across the state line, and even the country. I’m looking forward to attending the STEM Showcase at Oak Glen Middle School in New Cumberland, WV on Tuesday, May 14.

Bio: Mandi Figlioli is a children’s author and PK-12 Curriculum Specialist. She enjoyed ten years as an elementary educator before pursuing a career in administration. As Assistant to the Superintendent of the Burgettstown Area School District, Mandi has led the district’s charge to remake learning. They have made great strides in transforming their learning spaces and instructional practices. The Burgettstown Area School District aspires to empower students to be the designers and developers of their educational journey. They encourage creativity, autonomy, and risk taking for all members of their learning community.

FB: @mrsfigmakes

t: @mrsfigmakes

Instagram: @mrsfigmakes

Keysha Gomez

Co-founder and Executive Director, H.O.P.E. for Tomorrow, Inc.

Bio: Co-founder and Executive Director of H.O.P.E. for Tomorrow, Inc., Keysha Gomez has been an avid volunteer and proponent for youth for more than 20 years. Keysha is the recipient of the 2018 Cupcakes Most Wanted Youth Ally Award, Pittsburgh Brown Mama’s first ‘MamaPreneur of the Year’ and a 2018 Pittsburgh Magazine 40 Under 40 honoree. From raising six children with her husband, John Paul, to leading her organization to being nominated for a CORO MLK Organizational Leadership Award (2018) and receiving three proclamations from the City of Pittsburgh to leading her church youth dance ministry, you will see Keysha daily living out her motto, “Our hope for tomorrow begins today!”

FB: @HopeforTomorrowIncPA

Lisa Guernsey

Director, Learning Technologies and Senior Advisor, New America

Bio: Lisa Guernsey is director of the Learning Technologies project and senior advisor to the Early and Elementary Education Policy program at New America. She also co-founded and leads the Learning Sciences Exchange fellowship program at New America. Lisa focuses on new approaches to help students and families succeed in the Digital Age, and her work involves leading teams of analysts and writers to translate research, examine policies, and generate new ideas for developing high-quality learning opportunities for underserved and historically disadvantaged populations.

t: @LisaGuernsey

Carmelle Nickens

Founder and Manager, Rural Arts Collaborative

RLD Event Recommendation: “My stepsons both attended N. Hills HS and received a great broad based education. The school has wonderful teachers who are engaged with their students, not only in classroom curricula, but in the individual personal growth and development of each student. I have gotten to know several of the teachers personally who are still there delivering great academics! RemakeLearning is an enhancement for all students across the board, giving them an opportunity to think creatively in all disciplines. I’m excited to see and experience the Arts Alive event at N. Hills HS!”

 

Donna Peduto

Executive Director, West Virginia Public Education Collaborative

Bio: Donna Peduto currently serves as Executive Director of the West Virginia Public Education Collaborative. The WVPEC is a non-partisan collaborative of diverse state and national leaders championing awareness and support of public schools through outreach, innovation, and convening of stakeholders to foster productive dialogue and respond rapidly to emerging issues P-20 in West Virginia and beyond. Under Peduto’s leadership, the WVPEC has convened the first and second annual Legislators’ Forum on Education and the Economy, with plans for a third Forum, among other outreach events, in 2018.

Event Recommendations: Read this blog about Remake Learning Days in West Virginia.

ConnieYowell

Executive Vice President, SNHU and CEO, LRNG

Bio: Connie Yowell is Executive Vice President of SNHU and CEO of LRNG. Through her work at LRNG and with committed partners from every sector,  Connie and her team are building a connected learning ecosystem in cities across the country.