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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

Bonnie DeSimone is a freelance writer who lives outside Philadelphia. She first became interested in Norse mythology in 4th grade when she read Marvel comic books featuring Thor, and in 8th grade drew and wrote her own strip about her classmates.

M. Christine Mattise, an elementary school guidance counselor in New Hampshire, has lectured extensively about bullying and violence-prevention character education in the U.S. and abroad.

Ted Palenski is a teacher in a play-based kindergarten classroom in Connecticut. He graduated from Yale with a bachelor’s degree in linguistics in 2010. As an undergraduate working with 3-year-olds in a play-based early-learning environment, he became interested in early childhood education, in both center- and home-based settings.

John L. Adams received his Bachelor and Master of Arts in English, History and African-American Studies from the University of Wisconsin and his PhD. from Rutgers University.

Liz Ransom, M.A., teaches Spanish in Princeton, New Jersey. She spent three years as a volunteer in Chile and has been a consultant for the development of anti-racism curriculum.

Sheila Bedi leads the Southern Poverty Law Center’s efforts on behalf of children in Mississippi and Louisiana and provides strategic guidance on select campaigns in other states.

Francesina R. Jackson has worked as an administrator in teacher education programs. She has served as an evaluator with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.