Dr. Precios M. Armstrong is a proud wife, mother, and advocate for children whose commitment to education has spanned more than 20 years across Pk-12 classroom, administrator, and University roles. Currently, in addition to being a Michigan Virtual Leadership Coach for Innovation, Dr. Armstrong is the Director of Special Education for East Lansing Public and an adjunct professor for Central Michigan University and Grand Valley State University.  She is also the 2024-2025 Board President of the Michigan Council for Exceptional Children, a member of the Michigan Association of Administrators of Special Education. and Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. Dr. Armstrong is also a contributing author to the book Critical Analysis of Parental Involvement in Schools: Working with Families Across Sociocultural Context being published by Taylor and Francis Publishing. More than anything, Precios believes student achievement is enhanced through collaboration, innovation, and identifying resources.

Brenda Boyer brings over 3 decades of experience as a school librarian and instructional designer to her work as a consultant for Michigan Virtual. Throughout her career, Brenda’s focus has been on the instructional role of librarians as well as information and media literacy of students and adults. She has designed and developed online instruction for secondary learners, adult graduate students, and practicing educators. She has instructed face-to-face and online learners at the secondary and university levels, including gamified personalized experiences. Her research interests include instructional design for online learning and the high school to college transition with recent publications in The Journal of Academic Librarianship. Brenda enjoys working one-on-one with teachers and helping them to develop engaging online experiences for their learners.

Champion for personalized competency-based learning with 20+ years in educational leadership.

For more than 20 years, Dr. Mike Burde has served in a number of leadership roles in supporting learners throughout Michigan. Dr. Burde has also served in a number of settings, including rural, suburban, and urban learning communities. Whether it be the principalship, various central office roles, or the superintendency, Dr. Burde has been steadfast in his commitment to support and design learning experiences that are student-centered and grounded in strong relationships. Beyond his work in Michigan public schools, Dr. Burde has also served on the executive board for MASFPS. 

Dr. Burde has been one of Michigan’s thought leaders in the area of personalized competency-based learning. In addition, he has extensive experience supporting curriculum, instruction, and assessment, as well as facilitating the development of building and district-level continuous improvement plans and strategic plans. 

Dr. Burde earned his B.S. degree from Spring Arbor University and M.A. and Ph.D. from Western Michigan University. Dr. Burde and his family enjoy traveling, outdoor activities, and sports.

National leader in the design of mass customized learning environments with 25+ years in public education.

Dr. Eby has dedicated his career to public education for over 25 years, working in both the Pequea Valley and Penn Manor School Districts. Utilizing his Doctor of Education, Superintendent Letter of Eligibility, Master of Education Leadership, and Principal Certification degrees, he has been a passionate advocate for creating academic and cultural environments that empower learners and staff to excel.

Dr. Eby is a vital member of the Pequea Valley School District’s Mass Customized Learning initiative, collaborating closely with principals and learning facilitators to transition to a truly customized learning environment for each learner. This transformative work is essential in preparing learners for their “Post-Secondary First Choice.” Dr. Eby has also shared his expertise at local, regional, and national conferences, where he is a valuable resource on strategies to build a Mass Customized Learning environment.

Born and raised in Ontario, Canada, Dr. Eby maintains his passion for hockey by continuing to serve as the Associate Director of Player Development for USA Hockey Atlantic District and Director of Player Advancement for Palmyra Black Knights Tier I Hockey Club. Dr. Eby’s diverse background and dedication to education have made him an asset to his school district and the broader education community.

Ben Gilpin is currently the Superintendent of Newaygo Public Schools.  He is a student-centered educator who is focused on collaboration, teamwork, student engagement, and leadership.Ben is all about the Whole Child; he cares deeply about all of his students, and he always tries to foster caring and impactful relationships.  Ben began his career teaching 5th grade.  After nine years in the classroom, he shifted into administration as an elementary principal. After thirteen years in that role, Ben became a Superintendent. Mr. Gilpin constantly takes an active role in sharing his district’s story and lifting others’ voices. He understands the importance of spreading a positive message to the entire community.

Ben is recognized as an innovative leader throughout the State of Michigan and beyond. Ben was named one of the Top 100 Influential Voices of 2014 by Bam Radio.  He also presents and consults on numerous educational topics. Most recently, Mr. Gilpin led sessions on social media, Professional Blogging, Personalized Learning, and Redesigning Learning Spaces.

Ben earned his Elementary Education degree from Tri-State University, his Master’s in Education from Spring Arbor University, and his Educational Leadership Certificate from Eastern Michigan University. To learn more about Ben’s work, visit: follow @benjamingilpin

Innovator with 15+ years of on-the-ground experience in blended, online learning, and student-centered education models.

A passionate and innovative educator, Elizabeth S. LeBlanc served as Co-founder and CEO of the Institute for Teaching and Leading (i4tl), a company specializing in education consulting and professional development until its acquisition. Elizabeth is also a founding member of the Board of Directors for the nonprofit Center for Research and Innovation and the Taos Education Collaborative, where she serves as Project Coordinator. Elizabeth gains on-the-ground experience in blended, online learning and student-centered education models in her role as the Principal/Head of School for Taos Academy Charter School, which has been recognized for its innovative role in K-12 public education by Evergreen Education Group, the Clayton Christensen Institute, and EdSurge. Elizabeth has 15 years of experience in the design and implementation of high-quality blended learning programs. She is currently studying blended and hybrid learning in international contexts as a doctoral student at the University of Southern California’s Rossier School of Education.

Visionary in leveraging technology for classroom and school transformation with 20+ years hands-on experience with innovative learning models.

Kim Loomis is the former director of online and blended learning in Nevada’s Clark County School District (CCSD), the nation’s 5th largest school district, where she spent the last two decades designing, implementing, and supporting transformative learning models. Her work in CCSD also includes school administration in both online and traditional settings and district leadership in curriculum and high school reform. She has an extensive background in best practices for personalized learning using digital products and pedagogy, including learning theory, delivery models, digital content integration, software tools, apps, infrastructure, quality control, and governance. Kim has a solid foundation in digital learning instructional design, development, and delivery of technology-based educational media and learning experiences for online, blended, and personalized learning instruction. She has the ability to envision new ways to leverage technology to improve the performance of core learning processes, including those directly related to classroom and school transformation, such as portrait of a learner/graduate and system-wide change. Kim has worked with numerous districts and schools across the country, helping educators create actively engaging learning environments so that students are empowered to take ownership of their own learning.

Dr. Erik Orndorff is currently the Superintendent of Pequea Valley School District. He was named to this position in 2012. He earned his doctorate in education from Immaculata University. Over the past 10+ years, Dr. Orndorff and the administrative team at Pequea Valley School District have created and led a unique “Mass Customized Learning” initiative with a clear vision that empowers learning facilitators and learners to reinvent what education looks like. Erik is also the author of the “Early Start Career Series,” a participatory career/character exploration guide for teachers and students. He co-authored an Instructor’s Manual for “Becoming the Best Me,” 2nd edition, geared towards character development for middle and high school students. Dr. Orndorff is also a national presenter on personalizing learning and career and character development.

Pioneer in project-based and competency-based education with 20+ years in education.

Dr. Pazur is the Director of School Leadership at CS Partners and oversees the FlexTech High School network in Michigan. She holds a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership from Oakland University and an MA in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Detroit Mercy. She is the founder of FlexTech Education, a teacher-powered consulting organization that helps schools implement project-based learning and competency-based education. Her education career spans over 20 years. Dr. Pazur has served as a teacher, curriculum director, principal, and virtual principal in project-based middle and high schools across Detroit; she also developed curricula for Authentic Education under the direction of Grant Wiggins. Dr. Pazur is a member of the Future of Learning Council; a national and local presenter, and her education writing has appeared in EdSurge, EdWeek, Education Post, Phi Delta Kappan, English Leadership Quarterly, Principal Leadership Magazine, and Hybrid Pedagogy. Her chapter, “A Bridge Across Our Fears: Poetic Imagination as a Catalyst for School Change,” appears in the book Cultivating Imagination in Leadership, out March 2023, with Teachers College Press. 

Rebekah is passionate about cultivating educational ingenuity and collaborating with educators and families to promote personalized learning. With extensive technical knowledge and research expertise, she drives innovative teaching and learning solutions in any educational setting. As the Executive Director of Innovative Programming for Jenison Public Schools and the founding leader of Jenison Innovation Academy (JIA), Rebekah oversees two online and hybrid schools while supporting the success of others across multiple environments and various district-wide programs. With 15 years of experience in designing and implementing new schools and programs, as well as fostering domestic and international partnerships, she also serves as the Primary Designated School Official (PDSO), supporting international student exchange through the U.S. Department of State.

Prior to her current position, Rebekah previously worked as a director, principal, assistant principal, and high school science teacher. She has earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Secondary Education and a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership. She is currently a doctoral candidate, focusing her research on teacher evaluation and educational technology.

Rebekah’s professional memberships include the Association of International Educators, the Michigan Association of Superintendents and Administrators, the Digital Learning Collaborative, the International Society for Technology Education, the Future of Learning Council, and she is the facilitator for the Online Educator Network in Michigan.

Dr. Ryan Rowe has led educational change over the past 27+ years through many different roles and contexts, including teacher, principal, superintendent, executive director, and CTE administrator. Dr. Rowe is focused on relationship-building and empowering others through collaboration to create, implement, evaluate, and improve educational programs. 

Dr. Rowe is recognized as a distinguished leader in the field of Career Technical Education (CTE). He actively collaborates with business and educational leaders to create and implement career pathways. As the CTE Director and CEPD Administrator for the Washtenaw Intermediate School District (WISD), Dr. Rowe is instrumental in redesigning and transforming CTE through strategic visioning aimed at ensuring equitable access to experiential and applied learning for all students – preschool through high school. His goal is to ensure that every student graduates with a clear understanding of their career interests and the pathways to achieve their goals.

Dr. Rowe completed degrees from Michigan State University, Eastern Michigan University, and Siena Heights University, and in 2017, Ryan finished his Ph.D. from Western Michigan University in Career Technical Education/Workforce Development. His doctoral dissertation was on the career decision-making process of youth as they work towards establishing their post-secondary plan towards college and career.

Lisa is a passionate educator, lifelong learner, and ardent advocate for student-centered learning. She believes in flexibility for every child to explore and master content while supported by educators who facilitate their learning. By bringing people together to discuss and learn from one another, Lisa promotes mindset changes that lead districts closer to personalized learning.

Over the last 30 years, Lisa has taught middle school through post-secondary and has worked with school districts as they design and implement personalized learning models for students. The Michigan CoOp (MiCoOp), led by Lisa, are innovative leaders transforming learning in their districts and the state by providing options so that all students can succeed.

Lisa is dedicated to finding solutions that help organizations and individuals realize their goals. Through the strategic planning process, she guides districts in developing a plan that leads to successful students as identified in their portrait of a graduate. Her experience in the business and nonprofit worlds, combined with her educational experiences in traditional, vocational, and online environments, gives her a unique perspective on identifying system-wide changes to problems, resulting in creative and innovative ideas to fulfill your mission.

Dr. Cory Steiner is currently the Superintendent of the Northern Cass School District for the past 9 years. He has been an administrator for 16 years. In his current role, he has worked with a dedicated and passionate group of educators to shift their entire system to personalized competency-based learning. He has served on the Governor’s Task Force on Innovation, challenging North Dakota’s education system to think differently. During this past year, Northern Cass was a finalist for the Yass Prize, and it received $500,000 to develop a full-service community school. Dr. Steiner believes every learner can change the world; therefore, we must provide a world-class education. It is a moral imperative we change our educational system to one that is uncompromisingly learner-centered. He also serves on the Education Standards and Practices Board, The Village Family Service Center, Rural Cass Special Education, and the Southeast Education Cooperative Board of Directors. He is an adjunct professor for teacher leadership at the University of Jamestown. He is married to his wife, Jess, and has three children and one grandchild.

Kristi Teall is an accomplished educator and leader with over 32 years of experience in education. She has a deep understanding of MTSS, strategic planning, building leadership capacity, online learning, and system-wide change. She has worked in a variety of roles, including classroom teacher, building principal, curriculum director, superintendent, executive director, and school design strategist for districts and organizations in Michigan and across the nation.

Teall’s passion for creating learning environments that meet the needs of all students led her to pursue a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership and Central Office Endorsement. After completing her degree, she received an endorsement in building-level leadership and a superintendent’s endorsement. Most recently, Teall’s focus has been leading teams in designing and implementing innovative learning programs that support student-centered and personalized learning. She works closely with school leaders to create programs that provide unique learning opportunities for students.

Teall’s expertise as a school leader and her passion for creating engaging and high-quality learning environments makes her highly effective in every engagement. She is dedicated to ensuring that all students have access to high-quality, personalized learning experiences that prepare them for success in college, career, and life.

Dr. Carrie Wozniak is the Superintendent of Fraser Public Schools.  This is her 13th year working in Fraser, and her sixth year as Superintendent. She is passionate about creating positive and engaging learning environments for all of students using the principles of Universal Design for Learning.  With a focus on blended learning and competency-based education, Fraser has developed a strategic plan and portrait of a graduate to support system wide change throughout the district.

Before taking the position of Superintendent in Fraser Public Schools, Dr. Wozniak was the Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction in Fraser for seven years.  Prior to that she was a Literacy and English Language Arts Consultant for the Macomb Intermediate School District. Dr. Wozniak spent 10 years with Lake Shore Public Schools as a classroom English teacher. has led many professional development sessions on the topic of Universal Design for Learning, and she promotes the importance of using technology and design thinking to help reach all learners.

Dr. Wozniak earned her B.A. at the University of Michigan – Dearborn, master’s Degree at the University of Michigan, Educational Specialist Degree and PhD at Oakland University. 

To learn more about her professional work, go to Dr. Carrie Wozniak