Dr. Ramona Chang currently serves as Curriculum Director for the Torrance Unified School District, where she oversees professional development projects for both teachers and administrators focused on improving student achievement district-wide, a position that requires her to keep current her knowledge of best educational and pedagogical practices.  To this end, she has served as a faculty member for the Mickelson ExxonMobil Teacher Academy since 2008, as well as a consultant and faculty member for The Sally Ride Science Academy since 2009.  She is a proud graduate of USC, where she completed a doctorate of education in instructional leadership.  Dr. Chang used her STEM Education expertise when appearing as a witness before the Congressional Committee on Education and the Workforce.      (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=riDazEGFjCw).  She has also been recognized for her educational leadership by the Association of California School Administrators (ASCA) as Region XIV Curriculum and Instruction Administrator of the Year.

Rich is currently full time faculty at Arizona State University in the Mary Lou Fulton College of Education  As a site coordinator for the iTeachAZ program, he supervises 35 teacher candidates in addition to teaching classes in elementary science methods, elementary math methods, classroom assessment, and student teaching in special education. He earned his National Board Certification (Middle Childhood Generalist) and was the National Science Teachers Association Division Director for Preschool/Elementary Science. Rich is a recipient of the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science Teaching, CESI/CIBA National Exemplary Elementary Science Teacher, and was the Arizona Elementary Science Teacher of the Year. He was a finalist for Arizona Teacher of the Year and is a member of the Arizona State University College of Education Hall of Fame.

Annita has been an educator for more than 25 years. She currently is the manager for the Beginning Teacher Support and Assessment (BTSA) Induction program for the West Contra Costa USD (WCCUSD) in Richmond,CA. Annita began her career as a mathematics teacher in alternative education and middle school in Tulsa, OK. After moving to California, she continued teaching 7th and 8th grade mathematics in Pinole, CA. She has participated in a number of mathematics projects including the Equity In Math Education Leadership Institute, The Algebra Project and Girls & Math Project and has facilitated district/regional workshops on building community/classroom management and coaching/mentoring.

Sherry is a native of Birmingham, Alabama and began her career in education in 1979.  She holds a doctorate in Educational Leadership and currently serves as an Assistant Professor in the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Alabama in Birmingham where she teaches undergraduate and graduate level courses in mathematics and curriculum and instruction.  Sherry Parrish is the author of Number Talks: Helping Children Build Mental Math and Computation Strategies, Grades K-5, which received the 2011 Distinguished Achievement Award from the Association of Educational Publishers. Sherry is a national board certified teacher and a recipient of the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching.

Gene is the science lab instructor at Carver Magnet Elementary School in Little Rock, Arkansas.  He began his career as an elementary school classroom teacher. However, throughout his career Gene has taught mathematics and science to gifted and talented students, while additionally providing intervention services to at-risk students. Gene volunteers as a board member for Arkansas’ Destination Imagination and has been a Destination Imagination Team Manager for students in the Little Rock School District for over 10 years. Over the years his teams have attended the Destination Imagination Global Finals which compete with students in over 30 different counties. In 2001 he created a small chess club which has now expanded to include over 300 students throughout the state of Arkansas.  Gene attended the Mickelson ExxonMobil Teachers Academy with a team of teachers in 2008 and in 2009 he became part of the Faculty. 

Tony is currently working in an administrative role as teacher on special assignment.  He oversees various school programs and supports teachers, students and staff in various capacities.  Tony has been teaching for 11 years in Huntington Beach, California.  He taught third grade before accepting his current position. Tony works as Beginning Teacher Support Provider where he coaches and supports new teachers.  As a Technology Coordinator he supports teachers through regular training and works with the community to bring technology to the classroom.   Tony developed and implemented an after school science program that utilizes hands-on, inquiry-based methods.  Tony is a writer who frequently contributes to the Huffington Post on education issues.