a lifelong educator, kaya henderson recently concluded her tenure as the chancellor of dc public schools where she served from 2010-2016. prior to dcps, kaya worked at the new teacher project, teach for america and as a middle school spanish teacher.

kaya is actively involved in a number of community and professional organizations including: aspen institute board of trustees, college board board of trustees, international women’s foundation, chair of the board of education leaders of color (edloc), pahara aspen fellowship, surge institute board of directors, ednavigator board of directors, and teach for all global advisory council.

kaya answered questions ranging from how she turned the tide in dcps to her thoughts on a certain new secretary of education. from kaya, we learned about the importance of equity, how to build up your teachers, and how to make a school system which was losing students each year become a place where parents want to send their students. kaya was in it to win it, and win it she did.

brad montague is an award-winning writer and director working to creatively communicate hope to children of all ages. he is creator of kid president, which began its life online and has grown into a new york times bestselling book, television series, and movement for good among families, children, and classrooms around the world.

as a writer, he has appeared in many publications including time, parent magazine, and reader’s digest. he and his work have been featured on cnn, fox news, bbc, npr, the today show, good morning america, and the new york times - just to name a few. additionally, he was nominated for an naacp image award for his work bringing positivity and diversity to children’s media.

brad brought his messages of a joyful rebellion to the room. he shared videos, stories, and life lessons about hope and how together grownups and kids can make the world a better place.

dr. ray a. owens is the pastor of the metropolitan baptist church of tulsa, ok.  in addition to his parish work, dr. owens serves as the affiliate assistant professor of ethics and black church studies at the phillips theological seminary.  he is also the founder and chairman of the board of the met cares foundation, a non-profit organization that seeks to facilitate the development of high performing schools in the north tulsa community.  

dr. ray had us on our feet singing, had shared his deepest secrets about group projects, and taught us all that sometimes you need to shout amen!

lily (4th grade) and brian (9th grade) talked about life before, with, and after personalized learning. we heard about why they liked it, what made it hard, and how it changed what school meant to each of them. sometimes we talk about what’s good for kids without including them in the conversation and hearing from these students grounded us in the fact that we make these changes to our school systems because while, difficult to do, the impact is positive and significant.