“All of us bring light to exciting solutions never tried before
For it is our hope that implores us, at our uncompromising core,
To keep rising up for an earth more than worth fighting for.”
— Amanda Gorman, Earthrise
“We know what the world wants from us.
We know we must decide whether to stay small, quiet, and uncomplicated or allow ourselves to grow
as big, loud, and complex as we were made to be."
― Glennon Doyle Melton, Love Warrior: A Memoir (2016)
Dr. Marcus J. Belin
Dr. Marcus J. Belin
Marcus J. Belin is one of the youngest educational leaders out of 834 school districts in the State of Illinois. His school, Huntley High School has 3000 students and 300 faculty members. He also sits on the Illinois Principals' Association and is currently completing his doctoral study. Marcus is a true millennial leader with a fresh and innovative perspective that shouts, "Yes We Can!"
Clare Brooks, M.Ed.
Clare Brooks, M.Ed.
Clare Brooks is an expert facilitator who challenges groups and individuals to think in different ways. Through her congenial manner, she is able to discover potential in others through intentional dialogue and reflection. A student of equity and inclusion, Clare confronts White privilege head-on and integrates the hard conversations into her pedagogy.
Dr. Samina Hadi-Tabassum
Dr. Samina Hadi-Tabassum
Samina Hadi-Tabassum is a Clinical Associate Professor at Erikson Institute in Chicago. She is a graduate of Teachers College, Columbia University, where she earned a doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction with a specialization in cultural and linguistic anthropology. Her undergraduate degree is from Northwestern University with a major in English and a minor in Biology. Her research interests include bilingual education and dual language schools; linguistics, literacy and language development; racial and cultural identity; and science education.
Her practitioner work has focused on teacher education, curriculum development and pedagogy, and policy issues pertaining to educational equity.