Emily Kissner teaches fourth grade in rural Pennsylvania. In her 15 years of teaching, she has worked in preschool, middle school and elementary school. She is the author of the Heinemann books Summarizing, Paraphrasing, and Retelling and The Forest AND the Trees: Helping Readers Find Details in Texts and Tests.
Chris Hoeh is a second-grade teacher at Cambridge Friends School in Cambridge, Massachusetts. He has developed an academically rigorous, multi-disciplinary, yearlong social studies curriculum that follows the creation of clothing from cotton. Each step in this process is connected to historical and contemporary struggles for social justice. Hoeh has led anti-racist study groups and shares his substantial experience as a mentor to practicing teachers. He is also a recipient of the 2014 Teaching Tolerance Award for Excellence in Teaching.
Lauryn has over 10 years experience as an elementary classroom teacher, literacy instructional coach and culturally responsive trainer. She was formerly a teaching and learning specialist with Teaching Tolerance. She holds a bachelor's degree in American Studies and a master's of education degree in culturally responsive teaching, both from the University of Colorado. She is currently working on her doctorate in education at Vanderbilt University. Lauryn has a passion for educating teachers on engagement strategies and is particularly interested in closing the opportunity gap for young males
Dianna Minor is an education writer and consultant. Her professional experience includes literacy curriculum and instruction at the secondary and collegiate level. She earned her BA in English/Political Science at the University of Alabama and MA in Education at the University of West Alabama.
Tess Domb Sadof is a recent graduate of Amherst Regional High School in Massachusetts. She and three peers started the social climate-centered project.
Brenda Anfinson is a Minnesota-based writer, educator and speaker on issues in adult basic education. She currently teaches basic literacy and civics classes to adult learners. After completing bachelor’s degrees in Spanish and anthropology at Luther College, she completed a master’s degree in education at the University of St. Thomas. When not teaching, she is busy cycling and enjoying the great outdoors.
Scott is a professor and the program coordinator for the Social Science Education Program at the University of Central Florida. He teaches courses at the undergraduate and graduate level in social science methodology, research and theory. Waring serves as the editor for Social Studies and the Young Learner, a co-editor for Contemporary Issues in Technology and Teacher Education – Social Studies, and the interdisciplinary feature editor for Social Studies Research and Practice.
Louise Rocha-McCarthy is an interpreter for the Portland (Maine) public schools and area agencies. She translates legal documents for attorneys and has worked as an interpreter for the courts, hospitals and social service agencies in Portland.
Ann, author of the Teaching Tolerance story " SWOOSH!" has an MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults from Vermont College of Fine Arts. She is the author of over 30 books for children and teens.