Wednesday, July 21, 9 AMDamen Lopez began his career as a long-term substitute in 1994 at Los Peñasquitos Elementary School in San Diego California. Seven years later, he was named the principal of that same school. Twice named as both Assistant Principal and Principal of the Year in his district, Damen’s success as a leader has helped to showcase Los Peñasquitos Elementary School as an exemplary model for others to follow. In 2004, Damen Lopez founded the No Excuses University Network of Schools. This endeavor helps to build a bridge for all students to attend college as it begins promoting a comprehensive college readiness model starting in kindergarten. After just two years of sharing this message with thousands of educators across the country, there are currently 71 schools participating as part of the No Excuses University revolution. In 2006, Damen co-founded TurnAround Schools and now works with schools, districts, and educational organizations throughout the country in an effort to support the development of six exceptional systems that result in academic success for all.
http://turnaroundschools.com/about-us/staff/damen-lopez
Alan M. Blankstein is Founder and President of the HOPE Foundation (Harnessing Optimism and Potential through Education), a not-for-profit organization whose Honorary Chair is Nobel Prize winner Archbishop Desmond Tutu. HOPE supports educational leaders over time in creating school cultures where failure is not an option for any student. Alan authored the award- winning book, Failure Is Not an Option®: Six Principles That Guide Student Achievement in High-Performing Schools. Now in its second edition, it has become the gold standard of creating and sustaining learning communities.
http://www.hopefoundation.org/begin/professional-development/speakers/alan-blankstein-president-and-founder-of-hope-foundation.html
July 22, 2 PM
Dr. Todd Whitaker has been fortunate to be able to blend his passion with his career. Recognized as a leading presenter in the field of education, his message about the importance of teaching has resonated with hundreds of thousands of educators around the world. Todd is a professor of educational leadership at Indiana State University in Terre Haute, Indiana, and he has spent his life pursuing his love of education by researching and studying effective teachers and principals.
Todd served as a principal at the middle school, junior high, and high school levels. He was also a middle school coordinator in charge of staffing, curriculum, and technology for the opening of new middle schools.
One of the nation’s leading authorities on staff motivation, teacher leadership, and principal effectiveness, Todd has written 21 educational books including the national best seller, What Great Teachers Do Differently. Other titles include: Dealing With Difficult Teachers, Teaching Matters, Great Quotes for Great Educators, What Great Principals Do Differently, Motivating & Inspiring Teachers, and Dealing With Difficult Parents.
http://www.toddwhitaker.com/
