Page 17 - 2018 Reading Summit Event Guide

PRESENTERS
Sara Ahmed has taught in urban, suburban, public, independent, and international schools. Sara is a co-author of Upstanders: How to Engage Middle School Hearts and Minds with Inquiry with Harvey “Smokey” Daniels. Sara’s classrooms are designed to help her young adolescent students consider their own identities, inspiring them to take action in the world in socially responsible ways. She is
a long-time member of the teacher leadership team for Facing History and Ourselves, an international organization devoted to developing critical thinking and empathy for others. Sara has been in Bangkok, Thailand since 2016, as a PreK- 6 Literacy Coach at NIST International School. You can visit Sara on
Twitter @SaraKAhmed. Universal City
Steve Black joined Scholastic in 1991. As manager of product programs for Scholastic’s corporate strategic marketing team, Steve currently directs the
Book Fair Preview program, booktalk program, and podcast program. Steve regularly writes and records booktalk scripts and podcasts for customers and employees. He delivers webinar training sessions for Book Fair customers, and conducts live booktalk and product presentations for teachers, students, parents, and colleagues. Steve also works closely with Scholastic consultants, providing presentation and product knowledge training. Denver
Brandon Blom is the director of educational technology for the Roseville City School District in Roseville, California. He is passionate about making school fun for students and sta , as well as looking critically at how schools can best meet the needs of students. Brandon has been a CUE Rockstar presenter, NAESP presenter, and keynote speaker. He has written about why teachers need to be taken care of, why his school no longer uses computer-based reading systems, and how his school has moved away from old homework policies. You can visit Brandon on Twitter @brandonkblom. Universal City
Stephanie Brant currently serves as the proud principal of Woodfield Elementary School in Gaithersburg, Maryland. Prior to becoming a principal, she served as the principal at Gaithersburg Elementary School, principal intern at Fox Chapel Elementary School in Germantown, and the assistant principal at Lucy V. Barnsley Elementary School in Rockville. Before coming to Montgomery County Public Schools, Stephanie worked in Fairfax County as an assistant principal. Prior to becoming an administrator, Stephanie taught first and second grade, as well
as Reading Recovery. As a teacher, Stephanie focused on literacy and building life-long learners. In her current position she works to inspire readers, problem- solvers, and critical thinkers who are competitive learners in the 21st Century. Her transparency, commitment to literacy, and community engagement have been key factors to her success. You can visit Stephanie on Twitter @Principal_Brant. Raleigh-Durham
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