Theme: Celebrating Educators

Being a teacher means more that imparting information to our students. Teachers help frame who our children become. In many cases, the teacher may be the only positive influence in a child's life. As a new school year begins, teachers should be reminded of their value, and celebrate who they are. This conference is intended to celebrate the teacher - emotionally, physically, and with a little fun!

1290 Ridder Park Drive
San Jose, California, 95131
United States

Alyssa Gallagher

Public School District Administrator

Alyssa Gallagher is a public school district administrator in the Los Altos School District, currently working as the Director of Strategic Initiatives & Community Partnerships. Under Alyssa’s guidance, LASD has become a nationally recognized leader in educational innovation with her work featured in Forbes, Wired, The Economist magazines and on CNN and the CBS News program 60 Minutes. In her role, Alyssa is working on “horizon three” initiatives that impact the future of learning for all students. Alyssa was recently recognized as the “2013 Education Multiplier of the Year” and enjoys coaching leaders on the Multiplier mindsets and disciplines. Alyssa has served many different roles in education spanning teacher to Assistant Superintendent and understands firsthand the complexity of educational leadership. She is passionate about creating a new culture of school leaders and providing dynamic learning experiences that will shape leaders as they grow.

Anjini Karthik

Student Entrepreneur

Anjini is a sixteen-year-old student at Saint Francis High School who is passionate about learning. Her constant curiosity and wonder have motivated her to pursue independent scientific research, which led to be inducted into the Sigma Xi Research Society by invitation. At fourteen, she founded Inspire101, a service initiative through which she mentors middle-schoolers with their science projects; she hopes to instill a love of learning early on and bring to local students “that adrenaline rush” that accompanies new, enriching experiences. Since its inception, Inspire101 has expanded to Title-1 schools serving low-income neighborhoods. As Program Lead, Anjini has gained, and is excited to share, a unique perspective on what it means to be both an educator and a student—often simultaneously!

Josh Shipp

Teen Advocate

Josh Shipp is a former foster kid and troublemaker turned teen advocate. His documentary TV series TEEN TROUBLE (A&E / Lifetime) profiled his work with teens and families in crisis. His practical insights on teen behavior have appeared on OPRAH, 20/20, Good Morning America, and in The New York Times.

Kenny Campos

Fitness Coach

Kenny Campos is a fat kid turned fitness coach. His motivational group workouts have generated a faithful following of clients and supporters at organizations across the Bay Area, including Google, Stanford, and Kaiser Permanente. Kenny's highest purpose is to make a powerful positive difference in the world by sharing health, hope, and happiness with every person he has the privilege of serving.

Lisa Highfill

K-12 Instructional Technology Coach

Lisa Highfill, the K-12 Instructional Technology Coach for the Pleasanton Unified School District, has a passion for innovative learning strategies and actively works to share and collaborate with teachers, parents, and community members in order to improve the quality of education. She has presented at numerous conferences across the country, sharing ideas to improve the way kids experience learning. Lisa is a Google Certified Teacher and a part of the inaugural group of YouTube Star Teachers. She is a self proclaimed #BBQWhisperer and #VideoWhisperer if you ever find yourself in need.

Rushton Hurley

Executive Director of NextVista.org

Rushton Hurley has been a Japanese language teacher, principal of an online school, and a successful social benefit entrepreneur. He is the executive director of NextVista.org, the Global Project Lead at the Krause Center for Innovation, and the current president of the Rotary eClub of Silicon Valley. Rushton keynotes at conferences around the world on affordable and innovative technology, the power of digital media, and the perspectives and experiences of professionals in an ever-changing world.

Suganth Kannan

Student Entrepreneur

Suganth is the President and CEO of MathforUS LLC, a company offering services in biotechnology, mathematical modeling, forecasting methods, and business consulting. He has organized a symposium at the Florida Entomological Society and has presented papers and chaired international conferences. His goal is to improve the quality of discoveries by scientists and mathematicians by providing solutions to their problems and bottlenecks. This will permit them to focus on their research and their creativity. All this at the age of 15.