Keynote Speakers

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TEACH 2024 Keynote Speakers

MORNING

Susan B. Neuman

Educating the Other America

Sponsored by Kids Hope Alliance

Susan B. Neuman is a specialist in early literacy development whose research and teaching interests include early childhood policy, curriculum, and early reading instruction for children who live in poverty. As the U.S. Assistant Secretary for Elementary and Secondary Education, Neuman established the Early Reading First program, developed the Early Childhood Educator Professional Development Program, and was responsible for all activities in Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Act. She has written more than 100 articles and authored and edited 11 books, including the three-volume Handbook of Early Literacy Research (Guilford Press, 2024), All About Words: Increasing Vocabulary in the Common Core Classroom, Pre-K Through Grade 2 (Teachers College Press, 2013), Giving Our Children a Fighting Chance: Poverty, Literacy, and the Development of Information Capital. (Teachers College Press, 2012), Changing the Odds for Children at Risk (Teachers College Press, 2009), Educating the Other America (Brookes, 2008), Multimedia and Literacy Development (Taylor & Francis, 2008). She received her doctorate from University of the Pacific, Stockton, California. Neuman has received two lifetime achievement awards for research in literacy development, is a member of the Reading Hall of Fame, and is a Fellow of the American Educational Research Association.

PRESENTATION DESCRIPTION

In her presentation, "Educating the Other America," Neuman focuses on the significant disparities in children's achievement by income group.  She argues that we need more targeted interventions that focus on three qualities:

  • Providing additional print resources to children
  • Including greater attention to oral language and vocabulary in our programs
  • Building relationships with parents

AFTERNOON

Vincent Taylor, M.Ed.

If Instruction Isn't Engaging, I QUIT!

Sponsored by PNC

Vincent Taylor is an educator of 28 years as well as a nationally acclaimed educational consultant. He has presented his keynote "If Instruction Isn’t Engaging, I QUIT" to over 60,000 educators in over 15 school districts, eight national conferences, and five universities. He is also the author of eleven books including the popular children’s chapter book series Cornbread. Mr. Taylor is a graduate of the University of North Florida where he received his bachelor’s degree in elementary education and a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction. Vincent Taylor has received numerous awards for his work including the 2022 NAACP’s Olivia Gay-Davis Education Award; 2021 Literacy is a Legacy Award; 2020 nominee for Image Award in Education Excellence; 2020 Literacy Pros of Jacksonville Prestige Award just to name a few. Mr. Taylor a board member READ USA, Inc. He is married to his lovely wife Dina, and they have two beautiful daughters.

PRESENTATION DESCRIPTION
If students aren’t engaged during instruction, they aren’t learning at their highest potential. Explore research-based strategies that every teacher should immediately implement to increase student engagement. Educators will deem this session invaluable because the topic student engagement is a constant variable that can either increase or impede academic achievement. "If Instrctuion Isn't Engaging, I QUIT" is an interactive presentation filled with music, movement and fun learning.

PREVIOUS SPEAKERS

2023

  • Ralph Smith
  • Sonia Manzano

2021

  • Talithia Williams
  • Ron Clark

2019

  • Wes Moore
  • Hamish Brewer

2018

  • Pedro Noguera
  • George Couros

2015

  • Mary Ehrenworth
  • Drew Dudley

2014

  • Marcia Tate
  • Kim Bearden

2013

  • Barnett Berry
  • Ron Clark

2012

  • Lucy Calkins
  • Brad Cohen