Taking Leadership to the Next Level - Nationally recognized educator and keynote speaker Jonathan Alsheimer delivers a powerful and energizing message that reignites the heart of educational leadership. In Taking Leadership to the Next Level, Jonathan challenges school leaders to reconnect with their purpose, their people, and the classroom experience that first inspired their journey. This session highlights the extraordinary influence leaders have in shaping school culture—encouraging them to lead from the front, model passion and purpose, and create a ripple effect of positivity throughout their schools. Jonathan will also explore the critical topics of student motivation and enhancing student engagement, equipping leaders with the inspiration and strategies needed to move the needle for their schools.

Jonathan Alsheimer is the unorthodox, energetic, and entertaining middle school teacher who refuses to live a life of limitations and works with UFC Fighters, Celebrities, and Clothing Brands. In addition to being a passionate educator, Jonathan is an international keynote speaker and the author of "NEXT LEVEL TEACHING," a #1 new release in education on Amazon in March of 2020. In August 2024, Jonathan released his latest book, “School of Engagement,” also a top new release.
Jonathan, taught at the world-renowned Fred Lynn Middle School, which was featured in two documentaries "Relentless" and "Relentless: Chasing Accreditation,” as the teacher who forged a partnership with UFC Fighter and light-weight contender Paul Felder to bring a message of never giving up, fighting for their education, and empowering the students to believe in themselves, all principles that Jonathan promotes in his classroom.
Jonathan Alsheimer also partnered with Fear the Fighter, MMA clothing brand to establish a stop-bullying campaign with "Relentless" Principal Hamish Brewer. Jonathan Alsheimer didn't stop there and established a relationship with Chris "Drama" Pfaff, MTV reality star and CEO of Young and Reckless to promote and build student leaders in his school.
Jonathan formally taught at THE Chancellor Middle School in northern Virginia and has been featured on USA Channel 9 and NBC News for establishing a national give-back movement called “A Rae of Hope,” started in his classroom to help pediatric patients in hospitals, which has now grown and been implemented in schools and classrooms in over 15 states.
Twitter: @mr_Alsheimer  |  Instagram: @mr_alsheimer

Women in Leadership Seminar/Luncheon (Ticket Req'd) • Nicole Jain
Women Who Lead Without Apology: Power, Presence, and a Little Bollywood
Nicole Jain has dedicated her career to public service and leadership, with a deep commitment to advancing equity in PK–12 public education policy and management. She holds a BS degree in Public Policy and a BA in Political Science from the University of Southern California and a Master’s in Education Policy and Management from Harvard University. Driven by the belief that every child deserves access to a high-quality education, Nicole has led and supported initiatives that span local, national, and international contexts. Her work reflects a lifelong commitment to equity, community collaboration, and the belief that systems can and must be reimagined to serve EVERY child.

Nicole Jain has dedicated her career to public service and leadership, with a deep commitment to advancing equity in PK–12 public education policy and management. She holds a BS degree in Public Policy and a BA in Political Science from the University of Southern California and a Master’s in Education Policy and Management from Harvard University. Driven by the belief that every child deserves access to a high-quality education, Nicole has led and supported initiatives that span local, national, and international contexts. Early in her career, she worked at the grassroots level to help turn around a government primary school in a rural village in Northern India. She went on to contribute to large-scale public education reform in the U.S., including school turnaround efforts with Chicago Public Schools and the implementation of a district-wide unified enrollment system with Los Angeles Unified School District to help families more easily navigate school choice. Currently, Nicole works at Los Angeles County and leads the Early Care & Education strategy for the Department of Economic Opportunity. She is also currently enrolled in an executive doctorate program at the University of Southern California. Her work reflects a lifelong commitment to equity, community collaboration, and the belief that systems can and must be reimagined to serve EVERY child.

Be the Thermostat, NOT the Thermometer
It is crucial to be intentional and purposeful in setting the culture of your school or classroom. We have to be the Thermostat and not the thermometer. There is a clear and distinct difference. The thermometer reads what is going on, how the students interact, what the parents say, and how the building/classroom flows. The Thermostat transforms what is going on, sets expectations, continues adjusting for student interactions, informs parents of what is going on, and initiates actions to set the culture of the building or classroom. Ask yourself, are you the THERMOSTAT or the THERMOMETER? If you are ready to be the thermostat, Dr. Young will inspire you with stories and action steps to help you BE THE THERMOSTAT in your classrooms and school.

Dr. Tron Young has two decades of combined experience as a middle school teacher, elementary principal, middle school principal, and district-level leader. He was the 2020 Illinois Middle School Principal of the Year and Illinois NASSP National Distinguished Principal of the Year. He has also been awarded the Illinois Education Association Bob Haisman “Teacher of the Year,” 100 Black Men United Educator of the Year, and named one of the 2023 Golden Apple Awards for Excellence in Leadership Finalists.
Dr. Young is the founder and organizer of the Illinois Grow Summit, which aims to grow, retain, and recruit more educators and leaders of color. He is also the founder and host of the Be The Thermostat Podcast. In addition, Dr. Young has served as an adjunct faculty member at Southern Illinois University – Edwardsville. He has been a featured speaker and presenter at various local, state, and national conferences, where he highlights the importance of goal setting, school culture, teacher professional development, staff motivation, and leadership coaching. As a motivational speaker at middle and high schools, Dr. Young addresses themes such as perseverance, making good choices, setting goals, and developing youth leadership skills.
Dr. Young firmly believes that you have to do the things that other people do not think to do to get the results others are not able to get. His innovative approaches have led to significant achievements in his career. He invites you to connect, grow, and develop together.

2nd General Session • Liz Dozier
The Radical Power of One
A single star is formed when great, unseen forces balance together to seemingly defy what is possible. That type of consequential shift can also happen when one single person decides to challenge the institutions and systems that stand in the way of student success. Join former Chicago Public Schools high school principal and Founder & CEO of Chicago Beyond, Liz Dozier, to hear how the radical power of one is enough to defy barriers in order to create more healthy ecosystems for youth to thrive.

Characterized by her relentless pursuit of equity and justice, Liz Dozier has dedicated her career to reshaping the narrative for overlooked communities. During her tenure as principal at Fenger Academy High School on Chicago's South Side, Dozier transformed what was known as one of the most violent and underperforming schools in Chicago to a leader in restorative justice practices, academic interventions, and social emotional learning. Under her guidance, Fenger’s student dropout rate decreased from 19% to 2%, Freshman On-Track to graduate increased by 40%, and the attendance and graduation rates increased by double digits. Dozier's efforts in education reform garnered national attention and accolades, positioning her as a trailblazer in the field.

In 2016, Dozier extended her mission beyond the classroom by founding Chicago Beyond, a national philanthropic organization committed to addressing systemic inequity. With an emphasis on catalytic funding and community-driven solutions, Chicago Beyond has invested over $50 million in initiatives spanning justice, health, education, and beyond. This transformative approach has not only empowered grassroots leaders and organizations but has also catalyzed national systems change initiatives. Dozier's visionary leadership has redefined the landscape of philanthropy, advocating for a holistic paradigm shift that centers human connection and collective abundance over traditional hierarchical models. Currently, Chicago Beyond's work focuses on philanthropic innovation, healing-centered correctional reform, innovative models in maternal health, and strategic initiatives across subject matters to reduce systemic inequities.
Dozier’s work has been featured in Paul Tough’s New York Times Best Seller, How Children Succeed and Harvard Education Press’ Belonging and Becoming: The Power of Social Emotional Learning in High Schools. Ebony magazine named Dozier one of its “Power 100” and CNN followed her work as a part of its eight-episode docu- series, Chicagoland. Dozier has been invited to speak about her work at numerous public and business institutions, including the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, the Institute of Politics at the University of Chicago, Milken Institute, Aspen Ideas Festival, and SXSW. Dozier also hosted the first-ever Obama Foundation Summit and the Kennedy Forum’s Fourth Annual Meeting on Mental Health Equity.

Bringing Joy Back into Education
Educators (teachers, administrators and staff) did not enter education for the pay or daily accolades from society; they are in it because they care about kids. The standardized testing craze and pandemic have terrified students, overwhelmed parents and led many great educators to quit. Come join Danny as he reminds you of your importance as an educator in the everyday development of children. He’ll remind you how to laugh, sing, dance and play in order to bring the joy back into education.

A highly-sought after speaker, trainer and coach known as “Jim Carrey with a Ph.D.,” Dr. Danny Brassell (www.DannyBrassell.com) has spoken to over 3,500 audiences worldwide. He has authored 19 books, including his Bringing JOY Back into Education and Misfits and Crackpots. Growing up hating reading, Danny is the co-creator of The Reading Habit™, the world’s top reading engagement program, as well as founder of The Lazy Readers’ Book Club™, which provides short book recommendations for busy people. He is on a mission to bring JOY back into education and the workplace.

Genius, Justice & Joy: Moving Toward Pursuit
Driven Learning for the Future of Education - In this keynote, Dr. Gholdy Muhammad offers a unique, culturally, and historically responsive approach to cultivating genius and joy in education. This approach is essential for accelerating the growth of all students and uniquely youth of color, who have been traditionally underserved in learning standards, policies, and school practices. She will present her equity framework, called the HILL Model, to help educators develop students’ histories, identities, literacies, and liberation.

Dr. Gholdy Muhammad is the John Corbally Endowed Professor of Literacy, Language, and Culture at the University of Illinois at Chicago. She has previously served as a classroom teacher, literacy specialist, school district administrator, curriculum director, and school board president. She studies Black historical excellence in education, intending to reframe curriculum and instruction today. Dr. Muhammad’s scholarship has appeared in leading academic journals and books. She has also received numerous national awards and is the author of the best-selling books Cultivating Genius and Unearthing Joy. She also co-authored the book Black Girls’ Literacies. Her Culturally and Historically Responsive Education Model has been adopted across thousands of U.S. schools and districts across Canada. In 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025, she was named among the top 1% Edu-Scholar Public Influencers due to her impact on policy and practice. She has led a federal grant with the United States Department of Education to study culturally and historically responsive literacy in STEM classrooms. In the fall of 2026, her first curriculum, entitled Genius and Joy, will be available to schools and educators.