The BreakFree Edupalooza
An online, professional development series for educators working in secure facilities
April 25 - May 6, 2022
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Workshop Presenters and Resources
Unlocking the Magic of Participation
Presenter: Meg Bolger
Meg Bolger is a social justice facilitator focusing on creating resources, training, and projects that lead us towards a more beautiful world. Meg is the founder of Same Team, an organization focused on facilitating training for folks looking to start and deepen their social justice work and conversations. Meg is also the co-creator of The Safe Zone Project a free online resource focused on LGBTQ+ inclusion education and the co-author of Unlocking the Magic of Facilitation. Meg currently lives in Seattle.
To view this presentation, register for Edupalooza
Games Power Learning
Presenter: Meghan Goshea
Meghan Goshea is a first-year teacher for Collaborative Education Services out of the Western Region in Massachusetts. She was born and raised in Holyoke, and currently resides in Longmeadow. Meghan teaches both math and science, as well as the Empower your Future program for detained youth. She holds her Bachelor of Liberal Studies in Education from Bay Path University and will be working towards her Master of Mathematics this fall. Meghan has a passion for teaching and hopes to have a positive impact on today’s youth. She is excited to demonstrate how she has utilized the BreakFree Ed program and its vast resources to integrate the use of technology into her classroom. Meghan is well versed in online programs such as ALEKS, IXL, Breakout EDU, Gizmos, and BrainPOP, and uses them frequently throughout her lessons. In her free time, Meghan enjoys going to the gym, traveling, spending time with her family and dogs, and attending musicals and sporting events.
To view this presentation, register for Edupalooza
Empowering Students through Feedback
Presenter: Amber Jones
Amber Jones is an educator, administrator, and educational consultant. She brings a strong background in leadership coaching, development, and training; program conception, implementation, and evaluation; as well as scaling processes. She is adept at collaborating with cross-functional leaders and teams to meet shared goals; experienced in delivering and communicating demonstrable improvement to organizational culture and inclusivity through authentic, research-based inclusivity. As an experienced educational strategist, she designs and supports implementation programs for complex educational solutions that require buy-in from diverse and dispersed stakeholders. She is adept at leading change management programs that enable cross-functional stakeholders and teams to meet shared organizational goals, assure quality, evaluate progress, and demonstrate impact. She is the proud mother of two incredible sons and a Miniature Pinscher with a slight attitude problem.
To view this presentation, register for Edupalooza
Encourage Curiosity through Science
Presenter: Danielle Maco
Danielle Maco has been teaching since graduating from Smith College in 2015. She teaches both math and science for the Department of Youth Services in MA. Her passions in life are reading personal development books, leveraging tech and social media, cultivating connections, and collecting Starbucks cups! In school, Monday- Friday, find her in one of her many themed ‘Teacher’ shirts like the one in this picture. I am a proud teacher and lifelong learner.
To view this presentation, register for Edupalooza
The Power of Multi-Generational Knowledge
Presenter: Dr. Bahiyyah Muhammad
Dr. Muhammad is a founding faculty for the Higher Education in Prison Programming offered nationally and globally. Her radical pedagogy has been dubbed “The Dr. Muhammad Experience” and includes family and community engagement in the learning classroom. Dr. Muhammad has successfully implemented and sustained programs inside juvenile facilities in the District of Columbia (New Beginnings Youth Development Center, Youth Services Center, DC Jail), and New Jersey (Mountainview Youth Correctional Facility). Her research which highlights the lived experiences among children of incarcerated parents was highlighted in the VICE of HBO Juvenile Justice Documentary, Raised in the System with the late Michael K. Williams. Dr. Muhammad has received numerous awards for her teaching (Faculty of the Year 2014, 2015, 2017 & 2019) and service to incarcerated and detained students (Carolyn Cross Community Impact Award-2019, George Strawn Volunteer Award-2018, and the Bureau of Prisons Volunteer of the Year Award-2016). She received her Ph.D. from Rutgers University, School of Criminal Justice, and MA from John Jay College of Criminal Justice. Dr. Bahiyyah Muhammad is currently an Associate Professor of Criminology at Howard University.
To view this presentation, register for Edupalooza
An Educator's Journey
Presenter: Sondra Mullen
Sondra Mullen is an educator with thirty-nine years of teaching experience. She is currently employed as an English/Language Arts Teacher with BreakFree Education and teaches at Travis Hill School at the Orleans Justice Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. She began her career in education as a Speech/Language Pathologist. However, she felt compelled to gain additional Mild/Moderate Special Education certification to have a more significant impact upon the students she serviced in the New Orleans Public School system. After fifteen years in Speech/Language Pathology, she became a Special Education teacher within a Resource classroom setting designed to assist special education students in obtaining a high school diploma at L.B. Landry High School. Because of her dedication and desire to expose students to different experiences beyond the classroom, she worked with the New Orleans Recreation Development Commission (NORDC) as Director of Teen Camp for eleven years while at L.B. Landry. Serving in her current position as an English Language Arts teacher, she eagerly pursues opportunities to provide innovative ways to instruct her students and offer them guidance from her personal experiences with the wisdom she has acquired over the years. From here, she continues her journey as a life-long learner, always with a thirst for knowledge.
To view this presentation, register for Edupalooza
Finding the Balance in a 1:1 Device Program
Presenter: Stephen Godfrey and Abraham Watson
Stephen Godfrey is a Technology teacher and STEM Technology Specialist in the Chicago Public Schools. He taught Business Education, Technology, and English for over 20 years in various schools within the Chicago Public Schools System, as well as served as a STEM Technology Specialist for CPS STEM Initiative. He currently works as a Technology Coordinator at Conseulla York High School, which is housed in the Cook County Department of Correction. He along with Abraham Watson, his technology coordinator partner, coordinates computer technology functions at York including installation, troubleshooting, maintenance, and technical support, as well as maintaining and safeguarding the local network. He loves to cook and hopes to open his own Tech Café one day soon.
Abraham Watson is a Math and Technology Teacher in the Chicago Public Schools. He has taught Math and Technology for over 20 years at Conseulla York High School. He currently works as a Technology Coordinator at York and is fondly known as the “Dr. Jekyll” mad scientist. He works feverishly to the wee hours of the morning in his office at CCDOC to maintain the computer network. He is instrumental in creating dynamic images for our computers as well as safeguarding the network. He loves to work on computers, cars, or anything that involves hands-on repair.
Strategies for Tough Conversations
Presenter: Selena Guilbeaux and Raven Cole
Selena Guilbeaux is the co-founder of LAB Education. She is currently a high school master teacher but has taught both middle and high school English Language Arts. She has founded two high school African American Studies programs in Louisiana. Selena earned her master's in Educational Leadership from Louisiana State University. She believes in the power of the community and is committed to culturally relevant and student-centered learning.
Raven J. Cole is an educator, writer, and book nerd from Baton Rouge, La. She received her B.A. in English and Secondary Education from Louisiana State University. She is the co-founder of Louisiana Anti-Bias Education. She has taught English and writing since 2014. She currently teaches media arts at an online school. Her poetry can be found in Oyster River Pages, The Fable Online, and at the bottom of most pots of gumbo.
Stories With Style
Presenters: Ed Campos and Elizabeth Norris
Ed Campos is a part-time consultant with Kings County Office of Education and does consult independently for schools throughout the US. He taught high school Math and CS for 15+ years before becoming a consultant and has presented and given keynotes statewide and nationally. Ed has a passion for Hip Hop, chalk art, charcuterie, traveling, solving problems with technology, and empowering students and colleagues with skills and strategies that bring joy to learning & teaching.
Elizabeth Norris is principal/consultant at JC Montgomery, which is part of the Kings County Office of Education school district. The site serves incarcerated youth in Kings County, CA. She has served as an alternative education teacher, instructional coach, and site administrator before beginning her current dual role.
To view this presentation, register for Edupalooza
Making Curriculum Work
Presenter: Kellie Norton
Kellie Norton is a 31-year veteran educator who has been teaching English, reading, and Personal, Career, and Social Skills (P.C.S) at Hillsborough Girls Academy in Tampa, FL, since 2016. Prior to her DJJ teaching position, she was a high school administrator in Hillsborough County for 15 years serving in traditional, magnet, and career schools. She has one daughter, two dogs, one cat, and several fish. Ms. Norton was nominated and selected last year as one of three 2021 Department of Juvenile Justice Teacher of the Year finalists. She was honored to be recognized for doing what she loves. Her teaching style is one that incorporates discussion, group work, and projects. She tutors her students for the GED test and helps them with job applications. She instills that education is something no one can take from you. It is priceless!
To view this presentation, register for Edupalooza
Building Strong Teachers
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Presenter: Dr. Rebeca Porter
Dr. Rebeca S. Porter is the Director of Education for a juvenile justice educational facility. She is passionate about assisting correctional educators in increasing their confidence, self-efficacy, teaching strategies, and empowerment for the long-term success of system-involved youth.
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Disruptive Innovations
Moderator: Dr. Diana Velasquez
Dr. Diana Velasquez is a director in the Educational Programs at LACOE. She was born in Bogota, Colombia and moved to the United Sates with her family in 1978. Dr. Velasquez is a distinguished educational leader who has dedicated more than 23 years to ensuring the social, emotional and academic success of all students. She has also coached, inspired and mentored many educators who are now serving as instructional leaders. Her success in teaching has earned her many awards, including the LACOE Teacher of the Year, LA County Bilingual Directors Association Outstanding Teacher and LACOE Division of Student Programs Central Office Administrator of the Year.
Diana led the initiative and was the founding principal of the award-winning Road to Success Academy (RTSA) model of instruction launched in 2010. The curriculum uses a project-based approach that engages students in thematic, interdisciplinary learning framed by essential questions. This learning experience empowers students to make positive choices and behavioral changes. The RTSA has been a model for instruction in the state for at-promise youth. The model has been studied for its promising practices by Harvard University and UCLA. Dr. Velasquez has also been a guest speaker for UCLA, USC and Harvard University.
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The Science of Reading
Presenter: Kelly Rowland, Jason Moore, and Cari Marks
Kelly Rowland has been an educator in Virginia’s Public School System for 27 years. She currently is serving as the Coordinator of Reading Intervention and Dyslexia Advisor for Montgomery County Public Schools. Kelly believes that individuals with reading difficulties can learn to read when given the right instructional tools. She is passionate about helping teachers diagnose reading difficulties and design instruction that yields positive outcomes. Kelly earned a Master’s degree in Reading, is a National Board Certified Teacher, and an Associate Level certified Orton-Gillingham Practitioner.
Jason Moore has been an educator in the Virginia Public School System for nine years. Jason has been in his current position at New River Valley Juvenile Detention Home for four years, where he teaches special education and Life Skills. Jason was recently certified in Social Studies and will add those classes to his course load next year. Jason serves as the state testing coordinator for the facility. As the Post Disposition teacher, Jason has helped many SOP students complete the GOALS program and transition into life outside of detention. Jason is a graduate of Radford University where he received a Bachelor of Science degree (2012) and Master of Science degree in Special Education (2013). Jason values co-teaching, collaboration, and helping students achieve their full potential.
Cari Marks is a teacher who values collaboration and invites individuality within collaborative settings. She has taught for 19 years and understands that meeting students where they are educationally and personally is important in creating long-term learning interests. This is Cari’s first year as an SOP teacher, and she has found the setting to be the home she has been seeking as a professional. She is ISTE Certified, active in Virginia Department of Education Committee Applications/Meetings, alumni, of Virginia Tech (English BA, 2001) and New Jersey City University (Educational Technology, 2021), and presently a Johns Hopkins Leadership student. Cari knows that all students can succeed and that a teacher’s job is to open the correct doors and send out invitations.
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Creating Pathways to Success through a Positive School Culture
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Presenter: Dr. Lisa Simone and Jack Kitching
Dr. Lisa Simone is a principal at two educational programs and a licensed clinical social worker. Her professional background is balanced with clinical and educational experiences in school districts, juvenile justice, and community programming. As a principal, her goals include embedding social-emotional learning, rigorous academic, and vocational opportunities leading to our student's success in school and their communities. She believes, as an educational leader, that all students need to be the primary facilitator in their learning and growth.
Jack Kitching is a Humanities teacher and Team Leader of the ACES REGIONS facility in Hamden, CT. He has been teaching high school students for the past 6 years across New York City and New Haven. Jack hopes to bring more awareness to education in detention settings. He also aims to pull more dedicated educators into the world of teaching adjudicated youth.
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Create a Sustainable Digital Program
Presenter: Dr. Kaylah Holland and Kat Crawford
Dr. Kaylah Holland is passionate about empowering educators through practical professional development, one on one coaching, and innovative lesson design. She combines innovation and heart, a dynamite duo, to create student-centered environments that offer a path to success in school and life. Kaylah has over ten years of experience empowering educators and championing student-centered classrooms in multiple countries. She is also a collegiate professor and a Google Certified Trainer and Innovator. She works as an associate in instructional technology and blended learning for BreakFree Education.
Kat Crawford helps schools use technology to improve instruction, facilitate better communication with stakeholders, enable real-time analysis of student and school performance data, strengthen contract management, and capture operating efficiencies. She is helping us find smart and fun ways to encourage peer-to-peer sharing among Consortium members and other organizations we work with. Kat is a technology innovator for BreakFree Education.
To view this presentation, register for Edupalooza