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Adrienne van der Valk began her career in social work, advocating for homeless and runaway youth and survivors of sexual violence. Her graduate studies led her to political science and journalism, and she has been using her editorial skills in a variety of social justice settings ever since. She served as deputy director for Teaching Tolerance for many years before moving on to become the communications director for the Center for Genetics and Society. She holds a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Grinnell College and master’s degrees in political science and magazine journalism from the

Sumant Bhat became head of the middle school at St. Anne’s Episcopal School—a PS-8 school in Denver, Colorado—in 2014. In addition to his work on curriculum and programming, he leads diversity training and growth for all faculty and staff and the school’s Multiculturalism and Inclusion Committee. Prior to St. Anne’s, Sumant worked at three other independent schools as a teacher, advisor, coach, department chair, dean of middle school, international trip coordinator and admissions staff member. Sumant holds a B.A. in economics and psychology from Williams College and an M.A. in educational

Seema G. Pothini's commitment to underserved youth began by improving student engagement and success as an elementary school teacher in Houston, TX. In addition to teaching students and training teachers, Seema has worked as a K-12 Cultural Integration Specialist in racially and socioeconomically diverse schools. She also serves on the board of directors for a youth homeless shelter in Minneapolis as well as the Minnesota chapter of the National Association for Multicultural Education. Her experience as a child of immigrant parents, coupled with her students' and their families' experiences

Susan Gelber Cannon is an educator with over 30 years of experience in elementary and middle school classrooms. She advises the Middle School Student Council, serves as Diversity Coordinator and teaches history, English, Model UN and debate at The Episcopal Academy, in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania. She has trained teachers in China and Japan and at international conferences to develop teaching methods to empower students to think, care and act as informed global citizens. She is eager to share resources in character, global, multicultural and peace education via her book— Think, Care, Act

Michele Israel owns Educational Writing & Consulting (www.micheleisrael.com), where she works with large and small educational, non-profit and media organizations to bolster products and programs. Her rich career spans over 25 years of successfully developing educational materials and resources, designing and facilitating training, generating communication materials and grant proposals, and assisting in organizational and program development. In addition to lesson plans and other teacher resources, Michele’s portfolio includes published articles, instructional guides, and a booklet entitled

Dr. Abby Bergman is principal of the Ralph S. Maugham School in Tenafly, N.J.

J. Piper Gallucci teaches at the Washington School for the Deaf in Vancouver, Wash.

Michele C. Martínez is a freelance writer and crosscultural curriculum specialist in Lake Arrowhead, Calif.

Raul Galindo is a prevention/intervention specialist working with middle schools students in Longmont, Colo.

Amy Gardner is the art teacher at Kirbyville Middle School in Kirbyville, Mo.