ATi's Speaking Team

	Kristi Dina Kristi Dina is a “fountain of information.” She makes RTI, differentiating instruction, and teaching in inclusive classrooms appear easy. She has a strong passion for children with special needs, and whole- heartedly believes that inclusion is the best way to help them as well as the other students in the class. Kristi has a unique way of creating the right classroom environment of trust and acceptance. She has worked in schools in the United States, England, and South America. Kristi brings her enthusiasm, expertise, and experience to share a showcase of useful information. Her schedule is jam-packed with seminars, conferences, in-services, and time spent in schools and districts helping them improve their classrooms. A sampling of school districts that have asked for Kristi to lead multiple professional development events for their teams: North Bergen Schools, Detroit Public Schools, Shlenker Academy, South Colonie Schools, Galena Park ISD, Santa Fe Schools, Mc Neese University, Honolulu Public Schools and Las Cruces Public Schools.
	Neil Dorfman, M.Ed. Neil Dorfman, soon to be Doctor Neil Dorfman, is a presenter with passion. Neil will complete his Ph.D in June of 2010. Neil taught in eastern New York City. This area is known as one of the toughest school environments in the United States. He authored a book on his experiences as a first year teacher. These experiences include being bitten, cursed, as well as having his life threatened. Neil has taught over 10 years and brings his wealth of relevant and effective strategies to each presentation. He motivates each audience to continue their important work of teaching children. Neil is humorous and fun and participants always leave wanting to hear more. Your team will leave Neil’s sessions with strategies they can implement immediately.
	Doug Medford Doug Medford is one of ATi’s most sought after presenters. He uses humor and high energy to bring to life stories of students and teaching in a way that completely engages his audiences. He is a Master Trainer with experience handling ADHD, Sensory Integration Dysfunction, E.D., Learning Disabilities, and at-risk challenges. Doug has presented over 500 seminars to more than 70,000 educators all over the United States and in Canada. Doug knows the stresses and the challenges of teaching. He is a powerful and inspirational speaker who has a wealth of knowledge and even better, knows how to share it with others. Teachers find his sessions lively, fast-paced, hysterical, and leave motivated and eager to implement what was learned. A sampling of school districts that have requested and brought Doug back time and time again for their staff development events include: Wilbur Mills Co-Op, Detroit Public Schools, NYC Schools (Brooklyn), Neptune Beach Public Schools, Gladewater ISD, Hamilton City Schools, Cumberland County Schools, Franklin Square Public Schools, and Meremac Valley R-111.
	Louann Pepper Louann Pepper is a “can-do” whiz at reaching hard to teach children. She has spent nearly 17 years in education both as a teacher and as an administrator. She combines her years of experience in children’s education, and her deep commitment to making a difference in the lives of children into powerful seminars filled with learning. Louann participated in Project Zero at Harvard’s Graduate School of Education. She constantly keeps up with the latest interventions and strategies. Her seminars are lively, fun, and packed with information. Louann educates, motivates, and entertains while giving valuable strategies that can be implemented immediately in classrooms.
	W. Ryan Steenburg W. Ryan Steenburg knows the tips and methods on teaching children and working with parents. He combines enthusiasm, expertise, and strong passion for teaching with his strong commitment to helping each child reach his or her highest potential. He shares his teaching experience along with the latest research in effective and practical techniques for all ages. Ryan understands the ins and outs of teaching in Pre-K through middle school settings. His schedule is packed with seminars, conferences, in-services, and time spent in schools helping to implement successful programs to reach diverse learners. Ryan is motivational, enthusiastic, engaging, and uses humor to illustrate his objectives. Audience members always report that they leave Ryan’s seminars excited and ready to implement the strategies and solutions they have learned.
	Robert Underwood, M.Ed Robert "Rob" Underwood knows how to handle the most difficult challenges that today's teachers face in the classroom. Rob is very committed to making a difference for children and for those who work with them. He knows “his stuff.” Rob is currently a principal at a public elementary school located in Texas. Rob's unique and uplifting style of presenting captures and holds audiences attention from the minute he starts speaking. Rob shares information, strategies, and solutions along with personal stories of students (their parents too), and teachers he has worked with, as well as stories about his own children. He has five children all under the age of ten. Rob will touch your life and motivate you to go to work more excited.
	April Vernon, M.Ed April Vernon is a powerful engaging speaker. April is filled with knowledge and expertise on how to handle the "toughest of the tough" children. She has been a teacher and a teacher trainer. She likes to share at her seminars how her classes were huge because she was given all the tough kids that no one else wanted. April has a special way of reaching hard to handle children and turning them around, and she shares her experiences as well as strategies to reach all children. April is motivational, invigorating, enthusiastic, and engaging. Her seminars are packed with practical information that you can use the next day. You will learn not only to understand the reasons why children veer off track, but the interventions that you need to succeed in working with them toward success. School Districts that have repeatedly brought April back for follow-up sessions include: Detroit Public Schools, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, Effingham Public Schools, Perkins – Tryon Schools, Chicago Public Schools, Covington Schools, Penasco ISD and NYC Schools.