2024 Presenter Bios

Dr. Evelyn Baca and Dr. Miranda Lin

"International Teaching"

Evelyn C. Baca is an Assistant Professor of Bilingual/Bicultural Education in the School of Teaching and Learning at Illinois State University. Dr. Baca is a former secondary language teacher (Spanish as a heritage and new language) and taught English in bilingual elementary schools as a Fulbright Scholar in the Community of Madrid (Spain). Dr. Baca leads international educational experiences for pre-service teachers to Alcalá de Henares, Spain. Dr. Baca’s research and teaching focus on multilingual learners, bilingual teaching and learning, and educator preparedness to work with culturally and linguistically diverse learners.   

Dr. Miranda Lin is a professor of early childhood education. Prior to becoming a teacher educator, Miranda taught in Taiwan, China, and Florida. Miranda has more than 30 publications and two edited books and was a PI of the ECE competence module pilot project and a current PI for the early childhood faculty preparation grant. She has brought more than 1.3 million external grant money to support student learning. Her research interests include service-learning, anti-bias education, home-school partnerships, teacher preparation, and global education. Besides being active in her scholarly work, Miranda also has extensive service at the local, state, national, and international levels. She is the current president of AsiaConnect at ISU and past president of the Chinese American Educational Research Association and Development Association.

Dr. Ryan Brown

"The Roles of a High School Teacher"

Dr. Ryan Brown is an Associate Dean in the College of Education and Professor of Secondary Education. Ryan is a former middle and high school technology and engineering teacher. His current research focuses on engineering education and STEM integration.

Dr. Sara Harms

"Mentoring Pre-Service Teachers"

Dr. Sara Harms is an instructional assistant professor and clinical professor in the School of Teaching and Learning at Illinois State University. She teaches various teacher education courses and supervises clinical students and student teachers in grades K-8. Dr. Harms earned her doctoral degree in Teaching and Learning at Illinois State University in 2023. Her research focuses on the requirements, training, and preparation of cooperating teachers. Her dissertation, “Focus in the Chaos: Cooperating Teachers' Perceptions of a Structured Conferencing Guide,” received the Association of Teacher Educators Distinguished Three-Article Dissertation Award in 2023.

Dr. Lindsey Jensen

"Student, Family, and Community Engagement"

Dr. Lindsey Jensen is the 2018 Illinois Teacher of the Year, the 2020 NEA Foundation for Teaching Excellence Illinois Awardee, and Vice-President of the Illinois State Teachers of the Year. Her work has been featured in IL-ASCD, Teach Plus, NEA Today, Education Post, and Flip the System US: How Teachers Can Transform Education and Save Democracy. Her career in education spans 18 years, and she currently serves as the State Coordinator for Educators Rising Illinois & the Early Career Development and Aspiring Ed Director for the Illinois Education Association.

Dr. Anthony Jones

"Wait, What? I Didn't Know That Was a Part of Teaching Too!” 

Dr. Anthony Jones currently serves as the Director of the laboratory school and Assistant Dean of the College of Education at Illinois State University. Prior to this position, he has served as the Director of Equity, district office administration, principal, teacher, and coach in Iowa and Tennessee. Dr. Jones has been in the field of education for 23 years and is passionate about the role of spirituality in equity, diversity, inclusion, and access in teaching, learning, and leadership to create a welcoming environment for all learners to enjoy their educational experience, pursue their purpose, and reimagine schools. His research lens centers on the role of spirituality and leadership, Paulo Freire’s theory of critical pedagogy and critical consciousness, and equity, inclusion, access through a sense of belonging.

Kevin Jones

"Empowering Educators to Lead WITH Restorative Practices"

Kevin Jones is the founder, owner, and CEO of Pathways2RestorativeLeadership. He spent more than 38 years working in the fields of social services, mental health, and education philosophy, with particular emphasis on working with youth and their families. He honed his practice through direct care and as an administrator in residential treatment programs, group homes, mental health organizations and alternative schools. As a retired administrator, Kevin continues to work with Central Illinois at the Regional Office of Education #17 to support restorative leadership team development. Kevin also consults with the education department at Illinois State University. Kevin has presented at international conferences in the field of restorative practices. He is a Lecturer and Faculty for the IIRP Graduate School. He earned a Master of Science in Restorative Practices from the IIRP Graduate School and a Master of Science in Educational Leadership Organizational Policy/Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion from the University of Illinois. Kevin has explicit experience over the past 8 years training law enforcement, school resource officers, government officials, community leaders, security officers, and educators throughout Central Illinois, the United States and Internationally. He was granted the Martin Luther King Jr award by the Bloomington and Normal Human Relations Commissions in 2017, honored with the Philanthropy of the Year award by the Illinois Prairie Community Foundation in 2022, and is nominated for the 2023 Grabill-Homan Community Peace Prize.

Ricky King

Ricky is an ESL Bilingual Teacher at Normal Community High School. He graduated from Illinois State University in the Spring of 2020 with a degree in History and Social Sciences Education. He has an endorsement in English Language Arts and English as a Second Language, and has been teaching at Normal Community for the last five years in the ESL Department. In 2023, he was recognized as the Illinois Bilingual Teacher of the Year from the Illinois State Board of Education. When he isn’t in the classroom teaching, he is the Co-Coach of the Mock Trial team, the Student Council Sponsor, and the sponsor of the Hispanic Heritage Club.

April Schermann

April is in her 23rd year of teaching at Normal West High School, where she has taught math, physics, and computer science. She became a National Board Certified Teacher in 2010 and has been recognized with several prestigious awards, including the 2024 Illinois State University Legacy Teacher of the Year, the 2024 CSTA CS Teaching Excellence Award, and the 2023 PLTW National Computer Science Teacher of the Year.  In 2023, she was honored with the Disney 100 Teachers Award and was a state finalist in the Samsung Solve for Tomorrow competition. She is a proud 7-time NCWIT Educator Award winner and received the Women in STEM - Outstanding STEM Teacher Award in 2016.
She has secured thousands of dollars in grant money to help bring resources to my students, school, and community. Additionally, she serves as the Math Team Coach and Girls Who Code advisor, working towards her personal mission of closing the gender gap in computer science. In addition to her teaching career, she is  starting her 22nd season as the head softball coach at Normal West, having reached 500 career wins last season. She was also a finalist for the National Softball Coach of the Year in 2017.

Christine Schweitzer, M.S.Ed., Educators Rising IL State Coordinator

"EdRising IL Chapter Implementation"
"Educators Rising IL Professional Learning Community (PLC) Session"

Christine Schweitzer has dedicated her career to education in Illinois. In her twenty-two years in education, she has served students as a teacher in early childhood, elementary, and higher education in addition to spending several terms as a school board president. While currently supporting Career and Technical Education as a state coordinator for Educators Rising Illinois, Christine provides statewide programming, support and professional development for teachers and students, and event planning in her effort elevate the profession and build the educator pipeline in Illinois.

Abby Spiwak

"Swiftly Connecting: Building Teacher Student & Family Bonds (Taylor’s Version) "

Abby Spiwak is currently a third-grade teacher at The Avery Coonley School. She is a dedicated educator passionate about creating dynamic learning experiences for her students. With a background in teaching general education, special education, and gifted education, she's taught grades two through six. She focuses on curriculum development and technology integration to make learning engaging and impactful. She has led teacher professional development classes at colleges and various elementary schools in Illinois. In the classroom, her teaching techniques and classroom management create transformative learning experiences for her students.

Kristal Shelvin, Monica Wilks, and Sherri Thomas

"Prepare Now to Land your Dream Teaching Job Later"

Kristal H. Shelvin, Ph.D. is the Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for McLean Unit School District #5. In this position, she directs the implementation of the district’s equity action plan with the goal of attaining equitable experiences for students and staff. Prior to this position, Dr. Shelvin supervised school psychologists and social workers at a special education cooperative and coordinated a county-wide system of care for children’s social-emotional- and behavioral development. With a particular interest in interdisciplinary work, Dr. Shelvin strives to build collaborations among educators, mental health professionals, child welfare staff, medical providers, families, and communities. Her passion is broadening educational opportunities for all children regardless of their life circumstances. Kristal H. Shelvin holds a master’s degree in education administration and a doctorate in school psychology. She is licensed in Illinois to practice school and clinical psychology.

Sherrilyn Thomas

Sherrilyn Thomas has worked for Bloomington Public Schools District 87 for 26 years and is currently in her 3rd year as the Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources. Sherrilyn is a multi-graduate of Illinois State University. She earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Middle School Education in 1996 and a Master’s Degree in Educational Administration & Foundations in 2000. A lifelong learner, Sherrilyn is a member of various professional organizations such as Illinois Principals Association, Illinois Association for School Personnel Administrators, American Association of School Personnel Administrators and Bloomington/Normal Human Resource Council (BNHRC). Throughout her tenure with District 87, Sherrilyn has served as a mentor and worked to develop leadership skills in young women. Sherrilyn has consistently promoted women in leadership during her time as a proud member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. and as a member of the YWCA Women of Distinction WINGS Committee.

Dr. Brandon Thornton

"Cautionary Tales of the 21st Century Classroom"

Dr. Brandon Thornton started his lifelong journey for learning in Rock Island, Illinois, in 1989 -- born as the last (and best) son of two preschool teachers.  In other words, teaching has always been in his blood.  After graduating from Rock Island High School in 2007, he ventured off to Illinois State University, where he received a B.S. in Secondary Mathematics Education in 2011. He then started teaching math at Bloomington High School, where he currently resides. After receiving a M.S. in Special Education in 2016, he moved into Special Education. He received his Ed.D. in Special Education at ISU and still teaches at Bloomington High School, where he is humbled to be every single day as a teacher, speech and debate coach, and sponsor to the anime club.

Dr. Benjamin Wellenreiter

"The Possibilities and Challenges of Politics in the Classroom: (Yes, There are Possibilities)”

A former middle level social studies teacher of 19 years, Benjamin R. Wellenreiter, Ed.D., is an Associate Professor in the School of Teaching and Learning at Illinois State University. Dr. Wellenreiter teaches courses in middle-level social studies pedagogy, content-area literacy, middle school teaching methods, classroom management, and current events in education. He is active in the Illinois Council for the Social Studies, serving as its Executive Director. He has publications in Middle School Journal¸ Middle Level Learner¸ The Clearing House, and Children, Youth and Environments. Dr. Wellenreiter has numerous edited book chapters on social studies curriculum and pedagogy. Ben’s research interests include social studies pedagogy, patriotism education, and non-academic school environments.

Monica Wilks

"Prepare Now to Land your Dream Teaching Job Later"

Monica Wilks, SHRM-SCP is the Director of Human Resources for Decatur Public School District #61 and coordinates the New Teacher Recruitment initiatives for the district. She has been a member of the Bloomington/Normal community for over 20 years and a member of the HR community for over 10 years. Monica is a graduate of Illinois State University with a Masters of Science in Public Administration and a Bachelor’s of Science in Political Science. In 2016 she was named a Distinguished Alumni of Illinois State University by the Department of Politics and Government. Monica is a member of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), and she received her Senior Certified Professional designation from SHRM in August 2019. 

Patricia Valente

"Cultivating Your Teacher Identity"

Patricia Valente is the Director of the Multilingual & Multicultural Program at Rantoul City Schools 137. Her interests focus on culturally relevant pedagogy while integrating student testimonials, multilingual learners and their families, developing multilingual continuum of services and providing instructional supports that allow students to maximize their opportunities.