Terry Thoren is an accomplished media entrepreneur, educator, and CEO with a career spanning over four decades in the animation and edutainment industries. Known for his role as the former CEO of Klasky Csupo, the animation studio behind popular shows like Rugrats and The Wild Thornberrys, Thoren has been instrumental in bringing educational, family-oriented content to audiences worldwide. He has a deep commitment to leveraging storytelling as a tool for positive change, especially in educational settings, and that is the topic of this keynote address. Currently, Thoren leads Wonder Media, an innovative company that develops animated content to teach and inspire young audiences in age-appropriate, positive, value-driven, and non-aggressive ways. His work continues to focus on using media as a tool emphasizing the importance of compassion, empathy, and education.

Abby is currently a 6th grade English teacher and works as a new teacher mentor at Wisconsin Virtual Academy. This is her 6th year teaching at Wisconsin Virtual Academy after transitioning from teaching middle school in a brick-and mortar-school. Abby is passionate about making sure all students are getting support where they need it to help them grow. She enjoys reading, playing games, and going for walks. She currently lives near Green Bay Wisconsin.

Adam is a Curriculum Architect for Stride. He began his career teaching in the brick-and-mortar setting for 10 years, before transitioning to work as an assessment and research specialist. Adam is passionate about all aspects of education for students, and besides teaching history has also been a high school soccer coach and assistant director in theater.

Adrienne is currently the Development Manager for science and social studies courses. She began her career as a biological research scientist before transitioning into teaching middle and high school science in a brick-and-mortar setting for 4 years. She then transitioned into the online education world as a subject matter expert, designing and writing K12 science courses. Adrienne is an avid outdoor enthusiast and naturalist and enjoys creative pursuits in writing and digital art. She is also deeply passionate about social justice in education. She currently lives in Houston and is settling into the toddler years with her first child.

Are you interested in employment with one of our K12 Stride Powered Schools? Join us to hear from our Academic Recruiting team to learn more about finding and applying to the perfect position for you! Get the inside scoop on what to expect if you are selected to move forward in the interview process and even learn more about our benefits options. We look forward to seeing you there!

Amanda Morley received her Master's in Online Education in 2020 and has served as the Elementary Instructional Coach for Virginia Virtual Academy since 2022. She has been in virtual education and served as both a math and reading interventionist since 2016, while she helped to build and pilot the implementation of the Universal Screener for Number Sense for her school. With this change, VAVA has been recognized as a top achiever in the area of mathematics at the state and national level. This is her 16th year in education and 9th with Virginia Virtual Academy and Stride.

Amy Hollis is a Learning Development Specialist with the Talent Development & Community team at Stride, where she draws on her diverse experiences as an educator to design high-quality professional development opportunities for teachers and school leaders. Amy loves supporting teachers and sharing her passion for making online education an engaging, personal, and rigorous option for students and families.

Amy Bradley is the Eastern Division Education Sales Lead and Senior Territory Manager for YouScience. Amy’s passion to help students succeed by uncovering and developing their unique gifts led her to YouScience in 2013. Amy developed school mentoring programs, served as a high school drug and alcohol counselor, and spent a decade in sales prior to joining YouScience. Amy lives with her husband, 3 children and dog in Raleigh, NC.

Analize is currently a Curriculum Architect- World Languages for the K-12 development team. She began her career as teaching Spanish at Brigham Young University while completing her Master's program, she transitioned into developing online Spanish curriculum for Middlebury Interactive Languages/K12, and has also been an instructional designer for different companies. Analize is passionate about education and providing equal opportunities for immigrant children. She has a passion for hiking and camping. She currently lives in Utah with her 5 children and husband of almost 18 years.

Andrea Tuckness is a School Programs Manager at Stride and co-chair of the Women Empowering Women Employee Resource Group, with extensive experience in professional development, community outreach, and continuing education across diverse K-12 and higher education settings. She holds a Master’s in Applied Anthropology of Education and is passionate about fostering inclusive spaces that empower collaboration and inspire lifelong learning.

Arhen is a fourth-grade teacher at Texas Virtual Academy at Hallsville. She began her career teaching middle school in a brick-and-mortar setting and has since served in various roles, including department chair, science carnival sponsor, and testing co-coordinator. She is passionate about supporting and engaging all students, Arhen is dedicated to finding creative teaching strategies. In her free time, she enjoys painting and gardening.

Aubry is currently a 6th grade Special Education teacher at Wisconsin Virtual Academy. This is her 4th year teaching at Wisconsin Virtual Academy after graduating from Ripon College and UW-Oshkosh. Aubry is passionate about creating a safe-space for student growth and supporting students to reach academic and personal goals to carry into daily life. She enjoys expanding her vinyl record collection, playing video games, and going to concerts. She currently lives near Green Bay Wisconsin.

Bailey is a graduate of Ohio Virtual Academy. She attended Ohio Virtual Academy for 4 years. She was a student leader in Ohio Virtual Academy's High School student led programs all 4 of those years. She has presented at Kalahari 3 times and once to the board. After graduating from OHVA she interned for Stride as a Community Liaison. She is now a 6-8 Student Support Advisor for Michigan Great Lakes Virtual Academy.

Bea Tomaselli Tiritilli is a science teacher at California Virtual Academy. She holds an MA in Leadership Development from Chapman University's Attallah College of Educational Studies. She has teaching credentials in Chemistry, Biology, English, and more, and has taught a wide variety of STEAM courses during her 20+ years teaching high school. Tiritilli spends her school breaks engaged in the arts. She has published dozens of articles, two books, and writes STEAM scripts for an animated science channel.

Belinda is currently the English Content Specialist for Learning Solutions. She began her career in a brick-and-mortar setting teaching upper-level English. After 15 years, she joined K12 and has held both instructor and coaching positions here since, becoming the Content Specialist in 2019. Beyond the obvious English teacher things, Belinda is passionate about inclusion and respecting diversity. Belinda is the mother of three and an empty-nester, currently living with her fiancé in Wallingford, CT.

Bouchra Bouanani is a dynamic educator with a foundation in electrical engineering, offering a distinctive analytical approach to her leadership roles. Currently an Executive in Residence at Stride, she brings a proven history of managing programs and projects from conception to completion, implementing impactful educational strategies, and coaching individuals to achieve their highest potential. Known for her exceptional communication and decision-making skills, she excels at building strong teams, driving results, and navigating complex challenges. With expertise in data analysis and presentation, Bouchra leverages insights to enhance student outcomes and teacher effectiveness, employing transformational, instructional, and servant leadership to cultivate academic excellence and growth mindsets. Bouchra’s career highlights include serving as a teacher, curriculum specialist, Federal programs director, and Head of School for one of Stride's managed public schools before founding and managing a successful online bi-lingual private school, showcasing her entrepreneurial vision and commitment to innovation. A proud mother of four Stride school graduates, Bouchra balances her professional endeavors with a strong commitment to her family. She views every experience as an opportunity for growth and is pursuing a doctoral dissertation focusing on leadership styles in virtual K-12 education. With a passion for travel and cultural exploration, she looks forward to discovering new parts of the world while continuing to leave a meaningful mark in the field of education.

Bradley is a social studies teacher and esports coach at K12 Private Academy. He began his career teaching and coaching at a Texas brick-and-mortar public school, and after 4 years in the classroom, he transitioned to virtual teaching and coaching at K12 Private Academy. Bradley is motivated to bring his love of gaming to students and share the benefits that can come from organized competitive esports. When he isn't gaming he plays disc golf, fishes, and reads. He currently resides in Beaumont, Texas with his wife and daughter.

Brittany is a dedicated educator with over a decade of teaching experience. She has taught grades Pre-K through 8 in both traditional and online classrooms. Since 2021, Brittany has been working with Stride, where she continues to make a significant impact on her students' learning experiences  as a homeroom and Career Explorations teacher at New Mexico Destinations Career Academy. Brittany holds a bachelor’s degree in Writing and Rhetoric and a master’s degree in Instructional Design both from the University of Central Florida. Brittany is also an endorsed reading interventionist and serves as a local LETRS facilitator, training New Mexico teachers in the Science of Reading. With a passion for professional development, she has presented to over 1,000 educators at Promising Practices events, as well as in district-wide and school-wide professional development sessions. Brittany is committed to equipping teachers with practical, impactful tools they can immediately implement in their classrooms.

Elizabeth is currently a high school English teacher. She began her career teaching in brick-and-mortal Title 1 schools before transitioning to a virtual teaching job 6 years ago. Elizabeth is passionate about inspiring students to reach their highest potential, and enjoys building relationships with her students to design course content that is relevant to their interests, goals, and future plans. When she is not teaching, she enjoys cooking, reading, and writing.

Carolyn is currently a high school science teacher for North Carolina Virtual Academy. She began her career as an educator 30 years ago in the brick-and-mortar setting as a middle/high school science teacher. After serving as a teacher for 14 years, she transitioned into the role of an elementary/middle school administrator and later returned to the classroom as a virtual science teacher. Carolyn is passionate about encouraging and motivating students, teachers, and parents and enjoys spending time with her husband, children, and grandchildren in Kernersville, North Carolina.

Casey is a seasoned educator with 17 years of experience, including 12 years with Stride. She holds a BS in Elementary Education, two M.Ed degrees in Curriculum & Instruction and Leadership, and an Ed.S in Curriculum & Instruction Leadership. Her roles have included middle school English teacher, instructional coach, PBL specialist, leader trainer, and Portfolio Academic Administrator. Casey is passionate about inspiring others to excel in online education.

Cassandra Bruington, M.Ed., is a seasoned educator and leader of a 900-member parent community dedicated to empowering school partnerships. In her session at The Summit, Cassandra will guide school leaders to identify their Parent Partnership Archetype and create a personalized action plan to re-energize their approach. Attendees will leave with practical strategies to prevent burnout, boost student success, and align family engagement with district-wide goals. This session offers a new network of support, clear steps for leveraging parent partnerships, and a roadmap to finish the school year strong. Join Cassandra and restore your vision for impactful, lasting school success.

Charity is currently an 8th grade career explorations teacher for OHVA. She started her career as a special education teacher in a brick-and-mortar charter school in inner city Dayton and was there for 5 years. Charity loves to help students and staff be excited about learning and explores and shares many avenues to spark that excitement. She currently lives in Ohio with her husband, 3 sons, and 2 boy dogs!

Chelsea is currently a Science of Reading Curriculum Architect for Stride. She began teaching elementary grades, and over 15 years transitioned into many different roles including reading researcher, university professor, and academic writer. Chelsea is a self proclaimed literacy nerd and loves helping students reach their goals and become lifelong learners. She currently lives in Austin, Texas with her husband and two cats.

Chris Davies is a dedicated Instructional Designer at Stride, where they leverage their expertise to create engaging and effective learning experiences. With a background as a Graphic Designer at Stride, Chris brings a unique blend of creativity and technical skill to their current role. They hold a Master's Degree in Learning Design and Technology, underscoring their commitment to advancing educational methodologies. Passionate about education, Chris continually seeks innovative ways to enhance learning outcomes. Outside of work, they enjoy exploring new experiences with their family, who share a love for Disney.

Chrishele is currently an At-Risk Instructional Coach supporting high school math and science teachers at TOPS. She began her career as a classroom teacher and taught a variety of courses and levels in Pennsylvania, Georgia, and Texas before transitioning into an instructional coach in a brick and mortar setting in 2016. Chrishele focuses her time and talents to cultivate reflective educators, fervently works to eliminate the "math is too hard" stigma, and leverages the power of vertical alignment to support at-risk students. She currently lives in Friendswood, Texas with her whacky chemical engineer husband, an energetic and sassy three year old daughter, a creative and inquisitive five year old son, and 5 kitties.

Christine is currently a high school science teacher for Idaho Virtual Academy. She developed her love for teaching as a graduate teaching assistant where she earned her Master's degree in Health Education. When not enjoying the world's flora and fauna in her travels, Christine loves to create flowers out of crepe paper and is currently preparing for her second art show.

Colby is currently an Instructional Coach for 3rd Grade teachers. She began her career teaching in the brick-and-mortar setting, and in 5 years, she transitioned to the role of Reading Specialist in the DFW area. Colby is passionate about student learning and progress and strives to support all teachers in quality instruction. She enjoys spending time with her family, specifically her one year old daughter and husband.

Dana is a Curriculum Architect in the Math Department of Stride. She began her career in education as a high school math teacher at a brick-and-mortar school and later transitioned to content writing and development at Stride, where she's been for 18 years. Although Dana started by creating content for high school math, she's developed a deep love for elementary math and making it engaging and accessible to all students. In her free time, Dana enjoys spending time with her family, reading, baking, and enjoying the outdoors when the weather is warm. She lives in Wayne, NJ, with her husband, daughter, and two dogs.

Danielle is currently a Manager of Curriculum Production. She began her career teaching in the brick-and-mortar setting, and over the past 15 years, she helped to develop many courses such as K-12 World Language , K-5 ELA, 6-8 Health courses, and various others. Danielle is passionate about helping all students learn in a digital world and enjoys spending time with her family and pets. She currently lives in Delaware.

Debbie Jo is currently an Electives Content Specialist for Stride.  She began her teaching career in 2008 in the brick-and-mortar setting where she was a teacher, master teacher, Academic Dean and IBO Coordinator. She transitioned to working for Stride in 2020, where she has held many different roles including electives teacher, electives content coach, and electives content specialist.  Debbie Jo is passionate about electives education and strives to support all teachers and students in Stride.  She also enjoys running, reading, crocheting, and spending time with the family.  She currently lives in New Orleans, LA with her husband and two children.

Deborah is a Curriculum Architect for numeracy. She has worked at Stride for many years as a curriculum writer and wrote much of the K-5 math curriculum. Deborah is passionate about mathematics and believes every child should be proficient in math, starting at the elementary level. She loves playing pickleball and watching her Baltimore Orioles play.

Denelle is currently a 3rd grade resource teacher with Missouri Virtual Academy. She began her career in the general education brick and mortar classroom, and has held positions including English teacher in different countries in Asia, private online preschool tutor, 2nd/3rd grade general education teacher, ESOL teacher, and 2nd/3rd special education resource teacher. Denelle is passionate about helping anyone she can with anything she can. She enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, and writing. She currently lives in sunny Arizona with her husband and two children.

Mrs. Dutton serves as the Special Programs Academic Administrator and Dean of Students at Destinations Career Academy. With over 20 years of experience in education, she is dedicated to supporting students from grades 4-12. Mrs. Dutton is particularly passionate about her work with special education, gifted and talented students, multi-language learners, and those with 504 plans. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in English Language Arts from the University of Northern Colorado, Master of Arts in Severe Affective Education from the University of Colorado, and an EdS in Administration and Special Education Leadership. Mrs. Dutton is deeply committed to the mission of Destinations Career Academy and finds joy in her work every day!

"Emerson holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education and is currently in his fifth year of teaching. He is pursuing a Master of Science degree in Curriculum Design and Instruction, further enhancing his expertise in educational practices. For the past two and a half years, Emerson has been a dedicated third-grade teacher at Indiana Digital Learning School, where he employs innovative teaching methods to effectively engage his students. His teaching philosophy emphasizes the transformative power of education, underscoring the significance of fostering a genuine passion for learning rather than merely transmitting knowledge. In addition to his classroom responsibilities, Emerson is deeply committed to collaborating with and supporting his fellow educators. He believes that through teamwork and shared experiences, educators can create a more enriching learning environment for all students."

Erica’s background is in Education, serving as a Teacher, Advisor, and Counselor across grades K-12 prior to joining Teaching & Learning. She is a certified Counselor and utilizes her free time to volunteer for organizations with a mission to empower children and teens with special interests in grief/loss counseling, post-secondary preparation, and serving at-promise youth. Prior to joining the Curriculum, Instruction and Strategic Programming Team, Erica implemented national initiatives for Student Support Services including wrap-around support models for student intervention as a member of the Students First Team.  Additionally, Erica served as a researcher for the Analytics and Program Effectiveness group delivering national trend analysis on academic outcomes, teacher development metrics, and assessment tool performance. Erica is privileged to have been a member of the school faculty for the first senior graduation classes at two Stride powered schools!

Erika is currently the World Language Content Specialist for K12 Learning Academy. She began her career teaching in the brick- and-mortar setting 15 years ago and has spent the last 11 years in the online environment in various roles including live instructor, master teacher, and instructional coach. Erika is passionate about making students and teachers lifelong learners. She currently lives in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania with her husband and two children.

Erin E. Whalen is a veteran teacher with 25 years of experience in PK-8 schools. She has taught students in all grade levels and served as a building administrator, technology specialist, and math interventionist. Ms. Whalen is currently a middle school teacher at Indiana Gateway Digital Academy.

Haley Fidler is a Functional Skills kindergarten through 5th grade teacher with Insight School of Washington. Haley has over a decade of experience working in special and exceptional education. During her time studying Early Childhood Education and Special Education at the University of Washington, Haley, received a Fellowship in Family Centered Practices. Haley has since utilized these skills in as a teacher and is excited to share them with her K12 colleagues during Promising Practices 2025.

Heather currently serves as the Production Manager for Stride's Teaching & Learning team. After teaching K-12 students in public, private, and online classroom settings, she earned her Ph.D. in 2015 and refocused her professional interests on adult learning. She is passionate about promoting people-centric leadership that celebrates common ground and the shared human experience. Heather lives in Kentucky with her husband and four children.

Heather Horn is currently an At-Risk Instructional Coach supporting middle school math and science teachers at TOPS. She spent her first ten years in education as a classroom teacher and GT specialist in both private and public brick and mortar settings before joining TOPS for the last ten years to teach middle school math and science as well as a teacher trainer within the school before transitioning to instructional coaching. Heather focuses her time and talents on making education relevant and accessible to all, helping teachers build strong relationships and community with students in the virtual setting, and building up reflective teachers. She currently lives in Arlington, Texas with her husband, three lovable but slightly feral children and two cats and dabbles in reading and whatever crafty pursuit strikes her fancy when she has a spare moment.

Heather Carpenter is an instructional coach for the interventionist at LSOA. Her background includes 17 years of teaching with an emphasis in RtI and 504 supports. She is passionate about working with struggling students and the teachers that support them.

Heather is currently a Gifted Education Specialist for Tennessee Virtual Academy, where she supports the unique needs of gifted and twice-exceptional students. Heather began her teaching career in 2002 in Tucson, Arizona, before transitioning in 2005 to teach elementary and middle school gifted students and develop gifted curriculum within her district's gifted and talented department. Heather is extremely passionate about the needs of gifted, advanced, and twice-exceptional learners. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, reading, and crafting in her free time. She currently lives in Northeast Tennessee with her three dogs and cat, while visiting her grown daughters in Nashville whenever possible.

Iman Alattar is a Learning Development Manager with Stride’s Talent Development team. Since joining Stride in 2017, she’s focused on creating transformative educational experiences for students, teachers, and leaders. Iman is passionate about elevating learning through vibrant and authentic real-world applications.

Janae is currently a Learning Development Analyst at Stride K12. She is certified in K-12 administration and has been in virtual education since 2015 in various teaching, CTE, training and leadership roles. Janae is passionate about building effective learning paths that support the growth of educators and leaders. She is the world’s "okayest" ranch wife and mom to three kids, where they are cattle ranchers in the least-populated county in the least-populated state.

Jandee is currently a Curriculum Architect for Stride, assisting with building science content for grades K-5. She began her career teaching in the traditional classroom setting, and after 10 years, she transitioned into serving students by creating engaging curriculum for all. Jandee loves encouraging students of all ages to keep learning and finds joy in the great outdoors, from the sand dunes to the mountains, she is up for exploring! She currently lives in the heart of the Flint Hills of Kansas with her husband.

Janiece is currently a Science Content Specialist with Learning Academy. She began her career teaching in the brick-and-mortar setting. She started her 30 years there in elementary special education and then transitioned to middle school special education and science. She ended that part of her career teaching high school allied health biology. Janiece is passionate about science education for all and also enjoys painting and traveling the United States. She currently lives part time in Arizona and part time in New Hampshire where she loves spending time with her children and grand children.

Jen is a veteran math teacher, with 18 years of educational experience. Her passion is supporting students with developing their math skills by creating a fun, welcoming place to learn math. Throughout the years Jen has developed ways to engage students in the virtual classroom. She has focused on engaging students with math activities to develop their skills, differentiating instruction to meet the needs of all learners, developing students’ note taking skills, supporting students with reflecting on their academic efforts, and so much more. Her latest fascination is with instructional graphic organizers to scaffold skill development.

Jenna Gill received her Early Childhood and Elementary Education degrees from Charleston Southern University in 2010 has served as an elementary interventionist for Virginia Virtual Academy for the last three years since leaving the homeroom teaching role. While in this position on the Student Academic Support team, she helped to build and pilot the implementation of the Universal Screener for Number Sense for her school. With this change, VAVA has been recognized as a top achiever in the area of mathematics at the state and national level. This is her 14th year in education and 9th with Virginia Virtual Academy and Stride.

Jenna is currently a Curriculum Architect for Stride. Jenna has fifteen years of experience teaching secondary science, spanning middle and high school levels in traditional and online classrooms, and also served as the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme (DP) Coordinator before transitioning into curriculum development. Jenna is passionate about making learning fun, engaging, and connected to the real world, and enjoys singing, reading, and spending time with her husband and kindergartener.

"Jenni Edwins is a seasoned educator with a passion for nurturing young minds and fostering a love for reading. With a Bachelor of Science degree in Early Childhood Education and Elementary Education, Jenni has dedicated 19 years to shaping the educational landscape. Having served as a reading coach for 6 years and a literacy coach for 5 years, Jenni brings a wealth of experience and expertise to her role. She is committed to empowering students with the essential skills needed to succeed academically and beyond."

Jennifer Wodrich has been building school communitues with Arizona K12 Schools for 7 years. In this session she will explore relationship building and retention practices to help build your communites.

Jennifer Peloquin serves as the High School Math Interventionist at Louisiana Virtual Charter Academy, where she is committed to fostering each student's unique mathematical journey toward success. With a degree in secondary education from the University of Mary Hardin—Baylor and a Master of Arts Degree in Curriculum and Instruction from WGU, she is passionate about helping students succeed in math. She has served as a Teacher Leader Advisor for the Louisiana Department of Education's Math Team for three years, and  23-24, she received the K12 Virtual Instruction Excellence Award for 6-12 Engagement.

Jessica is currently a Learning Development Specialist on the Professional Development team. She previously taught English at both the high school and middle school levels in brick-and-mortar and online settings and served as middle school lead and high school lead master teacher. Jessica is passionate about education equity and access, is dedicated to empowering teachers to continue to grow in their practice, and fuels up on desert walks and good books. She currently lives in Tucson, AZ with her husband, two boys, and their labradoodle, Leo.

Johanna is currently a High School Math Teacher at Ohio Virtual Academy. She began her career at Ohio Virtual Academy 16 years ago. Johanna is passionate about helping students make connections with each other and fostering a great learning environment in her classroom. Johanna loves to travel, leading a Bible study, going for walks, hanging with family and friends and cheering my kids on in their sports. She currently lives in Norton, Ohio with her husband and four children.

Johnelle is currently a Secondary Mathematics Teacher, Head Esports Manager, and Mentor Teacher at Louisiana Virtual Charter Academy. She began her career teaching in the brick-and-mortar setting for almost every math level including Pre-Algebra, Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra 2, and Advanced Math, and was also an online tutor and hiring manager for tutors with Remind. Johnelle possesses an energetic diligence to the educational milestones of Esports in a high school setting that open pathways for any virtual student with love for gaming. She enjoys tabletop games and the latest Lego botanical sets. Johnelle currently resides in New Orleans with her cuddly, sweater wearing sphynx companion, Ellie.

Joy Yang is the Sr Product Manager with Stride. She has over a decade of experience working on various products, from mobile gaming to Saas products. Moving into EdTech has been a great way to combine gamification with education. On the side, Joy enjoys throwing pottery.

Kafarra Q. L. Burden joined Stride in 2019 and is currently serving as the Dyslexia Program Assistant Manager. With a B.A. in Theatre Education, a M.Ed. in Educational Leadership, and a second M.Ed. in Higher Education Student Affairs, Kafarra is also a Ph.D. Candidate in Educational Leadership at the University of North Texas. Her passion lies in equity, innovation, technology integration, and online learning, with a particular focus on providing quality educational experiences for all students, especially those with special needs. Kafarra brings a wealth of experience to her current role, having worked as a Theatre Arts Teacher, Dyslexia Teacher, 504/Dyslexia Specialist, and Special Populations Coordinator. She has extensive experience adapting educational strategies for special needs students in both in-person and virtual learning environments. She understands the unique challenges that students with dyslexia face in online settings and is committed to creating accessible, engaging, and effective virtual learning experiences that foster student success. Outside of work, Kafarra enjoys spending time with her family, writing, DIY crafting, cooking, and exploring new cuisines. She resides in Texas with her husband and their three sons.

Kathy is an instructional designer on the Teaching and Learning design team. She began her career as an elementary educator in 2009 and transitioned to training in 2020 and into instructional design in 2022. Kathy is passionate about professional development and Stride's mission to reach all learners. Outside of work, she enjoys running and gardening. She lives in Florida with her husband, daughter, and two hound dogs.

Katy is a Learning and Development Manager for Stride. She began her career teaching science and transitioned into various leadership roles as a science subject matter expert and manager with Stride, eventually turning her focus to adult learning and development. Katy is passionate about ensuring quality training and professional development to support all educators in their mission to provide the best learning experience for students. She currently lives in the Seattle area with her family.

Kevin is currently a Curriculum Architect at K12. He worked as a writer for various publications, before joining K12 in 2008 as a content creator in history and social studies. Kevin loves to teach, and in addition to his work at K12 he serves as a history and political science instructor at the college level. He enjoys mountain biking in the U.S. Southwest.

Kimberly is currently a Portfolio Academic Administrator serving schools in Texas. She began her educational career as a traditional elementary school teacher in her hometown before transitioning to Oklahoma Virtual Charter Academy, where she served as both a lead and mentor teacher before advancing to talent development specialist. Kimberly is passionate about academic innovation that drives student achievement and thrives on collaborative opportunities that allow her to exercise her natural curiosity and strategic risk-taking abilities. When not pursuing educational excellence, she enjoys immersing herself in visual storytelling through television and movies, as well as reading stories that transport her to different worlds. She lives in Oklahoma with her husband, two children, and a delightful menagerie of pets including dogs, a bird, and numerous fish.

Kory Taylor, M.Ed, is a reading interventionist with Arkansas Virtual Academy Middle School. This is her sixth year with Stride and her ninth as a teacher. Her professional goal is to help every student and teacher succeed in the future of their choice. Kory has worked to develop systems within her schools that allow for better data discussions, collaboration among peers, and reduction of teacher fatigue. She is currently pursuing her doctorate degree in Educational Leadership. Her personal goal is to spend as much time as she can reading, crafting, and snuggling with her dogs, Dolly and Willie.

Kristen is currently a Curriculum and Instructional Specialist for Stride's Teaching and Learning Team. She began teaching Math and Science in a brick-and-mortar setting for 6 years before transitioning to one of K12's virtual schools in 2013. There, she taught math and was the math department head for 5 years. After leaving the classroom in 2018, she worked as an Instructional Coach and Teacher Trainer for 4 years until transitioning to her current role in February of 2023. Kristen is passionate about working with teachers to support them in any way possible. When not focused on work, she enjoys time with her family and nephews. During the summer, you'll find her in the garden!

Kristen is a Partner Solutions Manager at K12 Learning Hub. She began her career in the public school system and joined K12/Stride in 2007 as a Virtual Teacher. Over the years, she has held various leadership roles, including Florida Lead Teacher, Elementary Nationwide Instructional Manager, and Manager of School Programs. Outside of work, Kristen is active in her church and enjoys reading, art, and outdoor activities. She lives in Jacksonville, Florida, with her husband, two children, dog, and chicken.

Kristen is a High School Math Credit Recovery Teacher at Ohio Virtual Academy. She has been teaching high school math at OHVA since 2009. Kristen is passionate about helping students overcome obstacles and achieve success in mathematics. She enjoys thrifting, spending time with family and church family, walking, and being outside in the sunshine. She currently lives in Akron, Ohio with her husband.

Dr. Fetty is an accomplished educator and researcher with extensive experience in K-12 and higher education. Holding an Ed.D. in Teaching & Learning from the University of Findlay, they are also certified in educational leadership, curriculum design, and science instruction. As an adjunct professor at Malone University, Dr. Fetty has guided aspiring teachers through innovative methods in science, math, and personalized learning. With almost 20 years of K-12 teaching experience and a strong background in STEM education, they excel at fostering inquiry-based and project-based learning environments. Dr. Fetty is deeply committed to empowering educators and students to thrive in diverse, real-world contexts.

Kristine is a Curriculum Architect at Stride. She began her career as an Instructional Designer at Stride where she has worked for the past 6 years. Kristine is passionate about designing for accessibility and innovation and enjoys playing violin and doing yoga. She lives in Richmond, VA.

Kyle is a high school social studies teacher at Indiana Digital Learning School, where he has been teaching for five years. Throughout his career, he has taught a variety of courses, including US Government & Politics, Global Economics, Personal Finance, World History & Civilization, and AP World History: Modern. Passionate about helping students explore and understand the world around them, Kyle also enjoys serving at his church, hiking, and spending quality time with his family. He was born and raised in Indiana, where he continues to live with his wife and daughter.

Lena Welch is a seventh grade general education science teacher at the Ohio Virtual Academy (OHVA) middle school. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a Master's in Occupational Therapy. Lena is certified to teach 4-6 Science, 4-6 Language Arts, and Pre K-12 Literacy. With 11 years of experience teaching online, she has developed a deep expertise in leveraging technology to enhance learning. Before settling on a teaching degree, Lena held a variety of jobs, including selling used cars, working at Columbus, Ohio's science museum COSI, tutoring in reading, substituting in a preschool, and being a driving instructor. This eclectic background has provided her with a wealth of experiences that enrich her teaching.

Linda Stegemann is the Partnership Specialist at PhET Interactive Simulations. In this position, she supports partners in elevating their usage of the simulations - and supporting their missions to bring high value educational support to their teachers and learners. Prior to joining the team, she spent nearly a decade in the classroom as a high school chemistry and physics teacher, then joined the EdTech landscape in 2020 in partner success. She has a BA in Chemistry from the University of West Florida and an MS in Chemistry from South Dakota State University. When she’s not working, you can find her playing Magic the Gathering with her three kids or looking for an awesome new restaurant to try!

Lindsay is a high school history instructor at K12 Private Academy. Her first teaching experience was on Kodiak Island in Alaska, where she taught in blended-level classrooms and as a special education intensive needs instructor. After obtaining her master's degree, she sought an online position and has been employed by K12 since 2011. Lindsay understands that each student is an individual with needs that are all their own. Her goal is to connect with her students and families in a way that best suits those individual needs. In her free time, she loves to read and spend time outdoors.

Lindsay Gonzales is an instructor at Texas Online Preparatory School. Currently, she teaches AP Biology, AP Chemistry, and AP Environmental Science. Mrs. Gonzales utilizes her education and biology background to focus on student-centered instruction as well as implementing best practices to use in the classroom according to current research. Her Bachelor's degrees are in Secondary Education as well as Biology and her Masters degree is in Biological Sciences. Mrs. Gonzales attended Concordia University Texas and Texas A&M Commerce, respectively. This year marks her 11th year teaching and her 6th year teaching Advanced Placement. At home in northeast Houston, she is a wife and mom of two young boys, 4 and 6 years old. She loves gardening, gaming, and drinking a good cup of coffee!

As a Curriculum Manager, Lindsay leads a team in developing learning objects, including simulations, videos, 3-D models, and more.

Lindsey Kight is a dedicated School Data Coordinator & Instructional Coach at the Virginia Virtual Academy, where she has been serving to enhance instructional practices since August 2023. In this role, Lindsey supports the organization and implementation of benchmarks and state testing, ensuring that data is effectively used to inform instructional decisions. She has a passion to train and support staff on best practices in data-driven instruction, fostering an environment where educators can utilize assessment results to improve student outcomes. She has been an educator for over a decade and holds a master’s degree from Old Dominion University in Educational Leadership.

Lisa Malkiewicz, Ms. Mac, has been with NCVA since it opened in 2015.Throughout her time here, she has served as 8th grade ELA teacher, 9th grade World History teacher, substitute, attendance specialist, and electives teacher. In the fall of 2020, Ms. Mac brought Family Consumer Science classes to NCVA and was the high school Culinary, World Cuisines, and Fashion teacher. She has served in multiple leadership positions as Department Chair, Outing Coordinator, FCCLA Advisor, SkillsUSA Advisor, New Teacher Mentor, and Testing Site Administrator. Recently, she has filled the position of Career Readiness Education Program Coordinator, also called CRE/CTE Coordinator. This position oversees many electives, making sure that we are compliant with DPI state requirements while also assisting students on preparing them for any career they may possibly imagine. She is dedicated to student growth and helping students reach their full potential.

Lisa serves as a Curriculum Specialist on the Teaching and Learning team at Stride. She began her career as a high school English teacher in a traditional classroom setting. In 2010, she played a key role in launching Georgia's first public online high school and has since dedicated her career to virtual education and digital learning. Lisa is passionate about using technology to enrich educational experiences and promote student success in today’s digital age. A proud University of Georgia alumna, she is an avid UGA football fan and enjoys traveling in her free time.

Lisa Percifield is a seasoned educator with over 20 years of experience, including 12 years at Idaho Virtual Academy, where she serves as an instructional coach and leadership teacher. While most of her experience has been with Middle School Language Arts, she has found her true passion in teaching leadership and coaching fellow educators. In her leadership class, Lisa helps students develop essential skills and spearhead schoolwide initiatives that foster kindness and connection. She is passionate about empowering students to take ownership of their learning and nurturing leadership in all areas of their lives. Lisa is eager to share insights and practical strategies to help educators inspire student leadership at every level.

Lora is currently an 8th Grade Title Math Interventionist. She began her career over 30 years ago as an adjunct community college professor, and twelve years ago she transitioned to helping middle and high school student at online academies. She loves traveling and visiting family. She lives on a centennial farm and enjoys filling the home with antiques and creating a beautiful yard and garden. She lives in Michigan where she and her husband raised their six children.

As Curriculum Production Manager, MaryLynne Fillmon oversees the development of K12’s social studies content. She began her career teaching in the brick-and-mortar setting, developing curriculum and assessments as a freelancer, and transitioning into curriculum development at Stride in 2016. MaryLynne is passionate about designing engaging, inclusive curriculum that supports all learners and enjoys traveling and spending time with family.

Mason is currently a counselor at K12 Private Academy and is also one of the founders and coaches for the school's esports program. He began his career in education by teaching public speaking at Auburn University and then transitioning to K12 Private Academy as an Academic Success Coach before becoming a counselor. Mason's favorite hobby is gaming, which he uses to his advantage as a counselor, leading him and his colleagues to create opportunities at the school for students to forge connections through videogames. He currently lives in Raleigh, North Carolina with his wife.

Matthew began his career as a math and science teacher and is now an educator, coach, media developer, and instructional designer at Stride Inc. Passionate about empowering individuals, Matthew is dedicated to helping people reach their full potential. He currently resides in the stunning landscapes of Traverse Bay Area in Northern Michigan with his wife, three teenagers, two dogs, a cockatiel, and fish. In his free time, he writes, records, and performs live music.

Megan Eggemeier is the AI Learning Specialist at K12. Prior to joining the K12 team, she had over 10 years of experience as an elementary teacher, reading tutor, and outreach coordinator for a brick-and-mortar school. She is passionate about helping teachers incorporate AI into their practices. In her spare time, she enjoys cooking, reading, and she has recently begun to try her hand at pottery and ceramics.

Meghan holds a master's degree in education and is recognized as a subject matter expert in literacy. She is committed to enhancing literacy instruction for everyone. With her background in teaching and course design, Meghan is able to create innovative solutions to improve the Stride K12 curriculum based on evidence-based practices.

Monet Baker is an educator, trainer, and instructional coach with over 18 years of experience in education. Driven by her desire to see all students succeed, she takes pride in providing educators with the best possible instructional support and coaching. As the manager of Stride’s professional development and training platform, she strives to provide solution oriented professional development that is personalized, engaging, and sparks inspiration in all participants. Monet holds an MA, Ed. in Secondary Education from the University of Phoenix and a National Board Teaching Certification. She is currently completing her Ed.S in Curriculum and Instruction at the University of Virginia. Monet currently resides in Virginia Beach, Virginia, with her husband and son.

Morgan is a former Elementary Educator. She is currently writing science curriculum for K12 and has been with the company for over a year.

Nancy is a Curriculum Architect and a Visual Arts SME. She began her career teaching elementary art in the traditional classroom setting. After 14 years, she transitioned to creating content for visual arts, music, health, social studies, ELA, Spanish, Chinese, and Dual Language ELA and math. She is also a photographer and author. She lives in Virginia with her husband, seven children, and five grandchildren.

"With nearly two decades of experience in education, Nancy Soto has had the privilege of working in diverse roles, including elementary bilingual teacher, special education teacher, and currently, as a dyslexia teacher. Since earning her Master’s in Education, Teacher Leadership in 2010, she has gained professional growth in curriculum design, literacy, and educational leadership. As a dyslexia teacher, Nancy has a thorough understanding of the neurological basis of dyslexia and how it affects reading, writing, and spelling. Throughout her professional journey, she has been driven by a dedication to helping students reach their full potential, allowing her to create tailored instructional strategies, provide tools and technologies, develop critical literacy skills, and build confident readers, particularly those with specialized learning needs, that foster growth and achievement. Outside of Nancy’s career, she cherishes spending quality time with family and embracing the outdoors. She is passionate about discovering new plant-based dishes. Staying active is also important to her, and enjoys working out as part of her commitment to a balanced and healthy lifestyle."

Natalee has her Early Childhood Education degree with Special Education P-12 and Special Education content 6-8. She has been in the virtual education world for 10 years. Natalee spent most of her time in the Special Education world which is where her passion lies. She enjoy having the opportunity to make educational not only available for all students, but finding a way for all students to be able to enjoy their education.

Natalie is an instructional designer passionate about accessible and inclusive design. She specializes in creating engaging learning and development resources and videos that foster welcoming and inclusive learning environments.

As the product owner of K12 Skills Arcade, Nicolette works closely with developers and stakeholders to enhance the student and teacher experience for the gamification skill practice platform.

Nikki is currently a Music Teacher and Teacher Mentor at Destinations Career Academy New Mexico. She began her career by building out music programs in Illinois, teaching everything from general music through Band, Choir, Guitar and Class Piano. Nikki currently lives in Nashville with her percussionist/bass/guitar playing husband and small chihuahua Ruby where she moonlights as a Rockstar playing gigs with her Band a few times a month.

Pam is currently a Math Content Specialist for Stride.  She began her teaching career in 2014 in the brick-and-mortar setting, and transitioned to working for Stride in 2019, where she dabbled in many different roles including math teacher, electives content coach, and math content specialist.  Pam is passionate about mathematics education and strives to support all teachers and students in Stride.  She also enjoys hiking, reading, drinking coffee, and spending time with the family.  She currently lives in Wadsworth, OH with her husband, two boys, and three cats.

Pamela is currently a Spanish high school teacher at Arizona Virtual Academy. She began her career tutoring at the college level, and in 4 years, she transitioned into teaching English 12 and English Language Learners at a brick-and-mortar alternative high school. Pamela enjoys video games, board games, reading, watching movies, and attending concerts. She currently lives in Phoenix with her maltipoo, Coco.

Rachael Woolbright has over 20 years of experience in education and is currently the ELA Curriculum Production Manager at K12. Her passion for developing engaging and effective educational materials has been a driving force throughout her career. Outside of work, Rachael enjoys the thrill of roller coasters and the immersive experience of audiobooks. These hobbies reflect her love for both adventure and continuous learning.

Rachel is in her fifth year of teaching high school English 9 for Wisconsin Virtual Academy. After 1 year of teaching in the brick-and-mortar setting, she began her career at WIVA, where she now also serves as a superuser, PLC team lead, and club advisor for the Poets' Society. Rachel enjoys helping her students grow as thinkers, communicators, and human beings as they study literature, grammar, and composition throughout the year. Outside the classroom, she loves to read, write, and cook for her favorite people. She lives in Wisconsin with her husband and their rescue pups, Dobby and Cosmo.

Rachel Goodwin currently leads the Talent Development team at K12, bringing over 20 years of diverse experience both in and out of the classroom. Her extensive background equips her to effectively connect with educators and school leaders, fostering their professional growth. Rachel is passionate about designing impactful, engaging, and relevant training and professional development experiences for teachers and administrators.

As the assessment lead at Stride, Rachel Long oversees all assessment guidelines, best practices, and applications. She has a background in teaching middle school and high school math.

Raniece has been with ALVA for 4 years as a special education teacher. She spent her first 4 years teaching in NYC public schools and later spent 4 years teaching in brick-and-mortar schools in AL. This is her 12th year as an educator. She is always looking for creative ways to increase student engagement She currently resides in TN with her two daughters. In her spare time, she is singing and performing. She recently released her very first single on all streaming platforms entitled "Bumper Sticker Kind" which is based on a true story.

Rebecca is currently a principal at the California Virtual Academies. She began her career teaching in the brick-and-mortar setting for 10 years, then she transisitioned into many different roles at CAVA including teaching, being a Lead in the Community Day Program, and being a Lead supporting the Education Specialists. Rebecca is passionate about supporting her teachers well and she enjoys reading, painting, and spending time with family. She currently lives in Yorba Linda with her husband and four children.

Rebecca is a curriculum architect for Stride Social Studies courses. She has worked at Stride in this capacity for more than 20 years. Rebecca is a passionate equestrian and has successfully competed in Dressage for many years. She lives on a small horse farm outside of Purcellville, VA, with 5 horses and 2 barn cats.

Rebecca (Becky) Jenkins has been teaching at Destinations Career Academy of Colorado since 2010, and she has a master's degree in instructional technology. In her free time she enjoys reading, playing guitar, and spending time with her husband and two teenage boys.

Renee is currently a Curriculum Architect at Stride. She started her teaching career as a high school science teacher before transitioning to online education, where she took on the role of instructional leader, training other educators to teach effectively in the online environment. Renee enjoys hiking, running, and spending time outdoors, whether it's with her chickens or tending to her garden. She lives in the North Georgia mountains with her husband and daughter.

Sabina Dallmeyer is currently working as a Math Interventionist with K12 where her students say she is a ‘safe space to struggle with math.’ She has enjoyed working in traditional classrooms with English Language Learners, struggling rural students, and virtual learners who wrestle with anxiety. She has been known to turn a dinner conversation into a fractions lesson and is the most compassionate math teacher you will ever meet. Sabina lives to help people use their “toaster-strudel brain” to do math intuitively and live a life of passionate curiosity. This mom of 5 is currently working on a second master’s degree in Virtual Learning and probably reads too much peer-reviewed research, but it sure makes the kids fall asleep fast.

Sara is currently the Social Studies Content Specialist for K12 Learning Academy. She began her career in the brick-and-mortar setting 24 years ago and has spent the last 14 years in the online world as a Social Studies and ELA teacher, master teacher, and instructional coach. Sara is passionate about teacher leadership and collaboration and her mission is to support teachers' professional development, adaptability, and growth mindset. She resides in suburban Chicago with her family.

Dr. Kojah is a dedicated educator and lifelong learner with a passion for creating equitable and innovative educational systems. She holds an undergraduate degree in Education from Arizona State University, a graduate degree from Northern Arizona University, and a Doctorate in Instruction and Curriculum with a focus on Educational Technology. Currently pursuing an EDS in Secondary School Leadership at Furman University, she brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to her work. With a career spanning multiple states and countries—including California, Arizona, Connecticut, Wisconsin, Texas, Saudi Arabia, Germany, France, and now South Carolina—she has developed a global perspective on education and leadership. Her mission is to craft learning environments that empower both students and teachers to reach their fullest potential. Outside of her professional life, Dr. Kojah is the proud mother of three active sons, aged 13, 15, and 17. She finds joy in running, reading, cooking, and cheering on her boys during their sports events. Deeply committed to family and community, she values time spent with loved ones and cherishes opportunities to connect and grow with others.

Sharon Neisler is in her fifth year with the Ohio Virtual Academy (OHVA) and has 15 years of experience teaching mathematics, currently teaching Algebra 2 and Pre-Calculus. For fun, Sharon enjoys going on adventures with her family, including frequent road trips, walks, hikes, and playing games together. She loves to run and participates in several races each year. Additionally, she has a passion for music, playing both the violin and viola, and has contributed to OHVA's Instrumental Music Club for the past several years. Ms. Neisler is dedicated to creating a student-driven online classroom and continuously seeks improved ways to engage students in the learning process. She looks forward to continuing to inspire and support her students in their mathematical journeys, helping them reach their full potential.

Sherita Wells is on the Academic Support Team. She has a B.S. in Education with two certifications, Early Childhood Education (P-3) and Elementary Education (K-6). She has a master’s degree in Elementary Education and Certification in Instructional/Educational Leadership(K-12). Sherita began her teaching career in brick-and-mortar setting; after 6 years, she transitioned to the virtual setting. She is passionate about curriculum and teaching, strives to support all teachers and students, and enjoys reading.

Stacy Altman has served students and their families in Special Education for over 27 years. Stacy's current position is one of the National Special Program Managers for Stride. Stacy joined Stride in 2005 and currently supports schools in UT, CO, KY, OH and AZ in all areas of special programs, including special education, English Learners, Section 504, and Advanced/Gifted Education. Stacy is committed to ensuring our schools offer a personalized learning experience that includes a continuum of services to meet every student’s individual needs.

Stacy is currently a middle grades teacher for Volunteer State Virtual Academy. In her nearly two-decade career, Stacy has served in many roles, including educator, inclusion consultant, and curriculum coordinator. She began her career teaching in the brick-and-mortar setting, later training with Vanderbilt University's Advocacy Program, and spending nearly 100 hours in specialized professional development with Keys to Literacy, IMSE, and MTSU Dyslexia Center. Eventually, Stacy transitioned out of the classroom into private practice as an inclusion consultant serving the five-county metro Nashville area, returning to the classroom as an instructor in 2020. Stacy is passionate about restorative practices, educational equity, and inclusion

Tamera "Tammy" Davis is a Subject Matter Expert on the Stride Math Curriculum team specializing in middle and high school state customizations. Tammy is a computer engineer who holds a Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering and has a passion for mathematics. She worked at a Fortune 500 company as a software engineer for close to 15 years and tutored math privately for over 20 years before coming to Stride. Her motto is “Math simplified.” She strives to make learning math a fun and positive experience for everyone!

Teresa Arrouet has been a science educator for over 24 years. She spent 12 years in the classroom before starting work as a virtual teacher in Florida in 2012. She recently moved to Virgina and has started her 13th year as a virtual educator for K12 at West Virginis Virtual Academy.

Tim Mansfield is a writer, editor, and ELA subject matter expert who has worked at K12/Stride since 2002 and helped plan and create these courses.

Tom Miller and his team at Leaders Building Leaders understand the unique challenges facing both aspiring and experienced charter school leaders today. As a former charter school principal, board member and state consultant, Tom’s research on the effective characteristics of charter schools prompted him to start his own elite leadership development and charter school consulting company that has assisted charter schools nationally to transform their cultures and accelerate their achievement. He is an author, a father of two charter school students, and the current Executive Director of a high performing charter school in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida.

Tonya is currently an ELA teacher for Insight School of Michigan. Tonya began her career coaching FIRST Robotics and teaching life skills to young adults with special needs before moving into her current role as an ELA teacher. Tonya's passion to connect with, and support, young people reaches beyond the classroom as she enjoys sharing her time with her children, grandchildren, and community members with special needs. Tonya also enjoys knitting and reading. Tonya currently lives in Battle Creek near her growing family.

Will Plump is the manager of the Learning Innovation team at Stride. As a former special education teacher, he has a passion for finding new ways to reach and engage students of all ages!

Yaw Owusu-Akyaw is a Stride, K12 Special Education Teacher for the Indiana Digital Learning School. He has worked in the field of education for over ten years. Yaw began his career as a Middle School teacher in the brick-and-mortar school setting. He later became a Lead Preschool Teacher, a Kumon Math Instructor, and a Hunting Learning Center Instructor. While working as a Learning Center Instructor and Preschool Lead Teacher, Yaw earned a Master of Science Degree in Organization and Leadership. He is passionate about using Gamification concepts to engage students' learning potential. He enjoys playing video games, watching Anime, cycling, traveling, and making YouTube videos.