Sunday Speaker
Emeka Nnaka
Emeka Nnaka is an advocate for hope. He helps organizations cultivate the power of hope to navigate times of stress and struggle. Emeka is uniquely qualified to present life, its challenges, and its opportunities from the perspective of someone who found strength through intense adversity.
Emeka used the power of hope to find a new and different course for his life. He returned to school and graduated with his bachelor’s degree in Rehabilitation Services from Langston University, and his masters in Human Relations and Clinical Mental Health Counseling from the University of Oklahoma. As a speaker, coach, and advocate, Emeka uses his 5 pillar process to help people live beyond the labels of their circumstances.
Emeka’s passion and mission is to inspire hope and to teach people how to Live Beyond the Labels of their circumstances.
Monday Speaker
Thomas C Murray
Tom serves as the Director of Innovation for Future Ready Schools®, a project of All4Ed, located in Washington, D.C. He has testified before the United States Congress and has worked alongside that body, the US Senate, the White House, the US Department of Education and state departments of education, corporations, and school districts throughout the country to implement student-centered learning while helping to lead Future Ready Schools® and Digital Learning Day. An ASCD best-selling author, his most recent book, Personal & Authentic: Designing Learning Experiences that Impact a Lifetime, was released in October of 2019.
Prior to moving to his role in Washington, D.C., Murray served as an elementary teacher, middle school teacher, middle school principal, elementary principal, and at the district level in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. He is most passionate about creating cultures of innovation where teachers are empowered to create the types of learning experiences today's modern learners need to thrive. In addition to his role at Future Ready Schools®, Murray works directly with school and district leaders for administrative retreats, opening convocations, and professional learning days.
Tuesday Speaker
Jessica Cabeen
Jessica is the Principal of Alternative Educations Programs in Austin, Minnesota. Previously, she was the principal of Ellis Middle School in Austin, Minnesota, and the principal of the “Happiest Place in Southeastern Minnesota,” the Woodson Kindergarten Center. She has been an assistant middle school principal, a special education assistant director, and special education teacher.
Jessica was named the 2021 ED Dive National Principal of the year, 2017 Minnesota National Distinguished Principal of the Year, and was awarded the NAESP/VINCI Digital Leader of Early Learning Award in 2016. She is a NAESP Middle Level Fellow and a Future Ready Principal. Jessica is the author of Hacking Early Learning and co-author of Balance Like a Pirate, Unconventional Leadership, Lead with Grace: Leaning into the Soft Skills of Leadership and Principal in Balance: Leading at Work and Living a Life. Jessica enjoys connecting and growing her Professional Learning Network (PLN) on the socials. She can be found on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter @JessicaCabeen.
But by far her favorite space is the one that involves being with her husband Rob, sons Kenny and Isaiah, and, of course, the family dog, Herman.
