When people ask me to sum myself up, in a nutshell, I say I am a teacher, writer, and education coach. Any knowledge I have obtained in this life, I love to share with others. I see myself as a resource, hence my slogan, “Empowering minds one resource at a time.” If I can be a resource or connect you to a resource, I do my best to make it happen. We should not be in competition with each other; we should work together and improve together. My willingness to help others has led to several opportunities. Below, I have listed my past and upcoming presentations, speaking engagements, and panel participation. If you would like to connect with me, send an email to connect@blazing-brilliance.com or complete my contact form.
Upcoming Engagements:
Thursday, March 2, 2023 – Presentation: Developing Anti-Bias Curriculum & Resources for Kokomo School Corporation lecture series – virtual
Past Engagements:
Friday, February 17, 2023 – Presentation: Poetry with Mrs. Barnes for Christ Temple Christian Academy
Thursday, November 3, 2022 – Presentation for Ball State University SCCO 660 – Partnerships & Collaborations in Schools Course
Monday, June 13, 2022 – Presentation: Collaborating Culturally Responsively to Implement and Support School Discipline Initiatives for the Indiana School Counselor and Administrator Collaboration Institute (ISCACI) at Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana.
Friday, June 10, 2022 – Presentation: Incorporating local Black history into instruction for the 100 Black Men of Indianapolis 100 Summer Academy Teachers
Friday, June 10, 2022 – Presentation: Supporting Learniing for the 100 Black Men of Indianapolis 100 Summer Academy Youth Assistants
Saturday, May 21, 2022 – Presentation: A Conversation about Supporting DEIA Work as a Board Member for The STEM Connection in Indianapolis, Indiana
Saturday, April 30, 2022 – Presentation: How to Navigate the School System for Allen Chapel A.M.E. Church in Indianapolis, Indiana
Thursday, September 16, 2021 – Panelist: People and Places that Inspire Us for the Indiana Housing Conference
Wednesday, June 30, 2021 – Presentor: Embracing Equity to Strive Towards Excellence for the Keep Indiana Learning Summer Conference
Saturday, April 10, 2021 – Panelist: Are You Listening? Perspectives from Black Educators for the Teach Indy Educators Conference
Friday, July 17, 2020 – Presentation: A Conversation about Burnout and Self-Care for the University of Michigan College Advising Corps – Virtual
Wednesday, June 24, 2020 – Presentation: A Conversation about Cultural Responsiveness Follow-up and Diversity and Inclusion Problem Solving Session for The STEM Connection in Indianapolis
Thursday, June 4, 2020 – Panelist: What If the Best Way to Teach Struggling Students is Unpopular with Educators? for Citizen Ed Virtual Show.
Monday, March 30, 2020 – Guest: Teaching at Home While Black for Citizen Ed Virtual Show.
Friday, June 21-Saturday, June 22, 2019 – Presentation: The Stigma of Mental Health Among Teachers of Color for the Teacher Self-Care Annual Conference in Atlanta
Wednesday, June 5, 2019 – Presentation: A Conversation about Cultural Responsiveness for The STEM Connection in Indianapolis
Wednesday, February 13, 2019 – Panelist: Black Excellence in Scholarship to celebrate Black History Month and the 50th anniversary of the field of black studies at Purdue University in West Lafayette.
Tuesday, January 29, 2019 – Presentation: Building Relationships with Parents and Families, a co-presentation with Lauren I. Peterson, Enroll Indy Manager of Community and Outreach for the Children’s Policy and Law Initiative (CPLI) of Indiana Positive School Discipline Institute, Session 3: Teachers Championing Positive School Discipline at Stonybrook Middle School in Indianapolis
Friday, January 25, 2019 – Presentation: What to Consider When Choosing a School for Your Kindergartener for Indianapolis Moms
Saturday, December 1, 2018 – Presentation: Strategies for a Positive Parent/Teacher Relationship for Teach-A-Rama at Marian University in Indianapolis
Saturday, October 27, 2018 – Presentation: Mental Health and How We View Ourselves for the Teacher Self-Care Conference One Day Institute at John B. Murphy Elementary School in Chicago
Thursday, August 2, 2018 – Panelist: The Importance of Educating Our Black Children at the National Association of Black Journalist Convention in Detroit.
Friday, June 15-Saturday, June 16, 2018 – Presentation: Extending Your Future by Becoming a Better You for the Teacher Self-Care Annual Conference in Atlanta.
Monday, April 16, 2018 – Presentation: ESSA, Equity, and Student Supports for Teach for America’s Teach Plus Policy Externs in Indianapolis
Friday, February 23, 2018 – Facilitator: Family Black History Night at Wendell Phillips Elementary in Indianapolis
Sunday, November 5, 2017 – Story Presentation: The Power of Food: Growing Together for The Spirit & Place Power Festival event The Power of Food: Seven Short Stories at Shortridge High School in Indianapolis
Thursday, December 1, 2016 – Poetry Reading: Busy Busy Bee for Brick Street Poetry, Inc. at SullivanMunce Cultural Center in Zionsville, IN