Organizers 2018

Cutia Blunt

Cutia Blunt is Director of Academic Technology at The Galloway School. Prior to this year, she was the Early Learning Assistant Principal at Galloway. Before joining Galloway in 2014, she was a second grade classroom teacher for four years and an elementary gifted program teacher for ten years. Her educational career has
been spent in the metropolitan Atlanta area.

Cutia holds a Bachelor of Science in Education (Elementary Education) degree from Bowling Green (Ohio) State University. She also has two degrees from Kennesaw State University - a Masters in Education in Educational Leadership and an Education Specialist degree in Instructional Technology. Cutia holds all four certifications offered by Google’s Education Team - Google Certified Educator (Levels 1 and 2), Google Certified Trainer, and Google Certified Innovator. She is also an Apple Teacher and Certified BrainPOP Educator. Currently she’s working on becoming a National Geographic Certified Educator.

Twitter Handle: @CutiaBlunt

Natasha Rachell

Natasha Rachell, an alternatively certified high school science teacher, is the Science Digital Learning Specialist for Atlanta Public Schools. Prior to this role, Natasha served as a high school science teacher, math and science transition to teaching coach, professional learning coach, and an educational technology specialist. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Biology Pre-Med, a Master’s degree in Education Administration, an Educational Specialist’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction and is finishing up her Doctoral degree in Organizational Leadership with an Emphasis in Effective Schools.
Natasha has immersed herself into the instructional technology space and has earned several certifications, awards and accomplishments, some of which include: Google Certified Trainer, Microsoft innovative Educator, Apple Teacher, Surface Educator, Flipgrid Ambassador, and Star Discovery Educator. Most recently, Natasha was selected to take part in the Our Voice Academy through EdTechTeam, a group of minority educational technology leaders from across the nation. She is ecstatic to lead the work as we transition into 21st century classrooms through blended learning opportunities, BYOD, STEM initiatives, professional learning for instructional technology and digitally connected classrooms. She is a lifelong learner and strives to be the change that she wishes to see.

Twitter Handle: @apsitnatasha

Manisha Maurya

Manisha Maurya is a high school physical science teacher at Cross Keys High School currently working on her teaching certification through the DeKalb County Teacher Academy for Preparation and Pedagogy (TAPP). Before joining TAPP, she was a Peace Corps volunteer in Ecuador and taught English at a high school in the province of Zamora Chinchipe for 2 years. She also taught English in Seoul, South Korea to 5th and 6th grade students for one year through the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education.
Aside from her experiences, she has an MS in education from Florida State University and has worked as a research assistant for the Habitat Tracker project, which supports school-based science learning of 4th and 5th grade students with the use of technology. In addition, she has a BS in chemistry and a BA in Spanish from Georgia State University and intends on continuing her education in the near future.
Twitter Handle: @mmaurya84

Tara Vito

Tara Vito is Lead ML/UL Librarian at The Galloway School. She has worked in many types of schools (independent, public, charter and alternative) throughout New England and the southeast. Tara has worked with a wide array of learner populations, including students identified as 'at-risk' or 'gifted' as well as students with learning differences and psychological diagnoses. In her career, Tara considers the unique strengths of learners rather than socially constructed deficits. Tara’s professional interests include positive expectations in education, self-efficacy/motivation, expanding world views through literature, experiential learning, community building in the learning process and the value of humor and forgiveness. Service learning and outdoor education are hallmarks of Tara’s career.

Tara holds a Bachelor of Arts in Child Psychology (Rhode Island College) as well as a Masters in Library and Information Services (University of Rhode Island). She isn't active on social media, except when posting photos of the Appalachian Trail or marathons she runs.

Kerri Saulnier

Kerri Saulnier is a School Library Media Specialist at The Schenck School. She spent her first 10 years at Schenck teaching fifth grade. She is an Associate in the Academy of Orton-Gillingham Practitioners and Educators and coordinates the SHINE program, a pro-bono program for students that could not otherwise afford tutoring. Her previous positions were teaching special education in several Atlanta area public schools.
Kerri holds a Bachelor of Arts in Education and a Masters in Learning Disabilities and Behavior Disorders from The University of Florida. She received her Media certification from The University of West Georgia where she is currently pursuing her Educational Specialist in School Library Media. Kerri is a Google Certified Educator (Levels 1 and 2).

Twitter Handle: @edugator230

Lorena Craighead

Lorena Craighead is a middle and high school MYP English educator at Atlanta International School. Before joining AIS, she was an esteemed student publications educator with Detroit Public Schools and Michigan State University’s MIPA Program. Charter Corps of Teach For America, only child and mother of an only child/college freshman, Lorena is passionate about parenting, literature, travel and yoga.“I believe in the gift of knowledge, slaking the thirst for justice and the love of community. Teaching is my passion, profession and service to the planet. Rigor is a form of love that honors the possibility and process of learning. Just as Yoga Sutras prepare mind, body and spirit for every environment, how we educate each other shows how to be humane, yet comfortable in our own skin. This comfort, backed by rigor, follows us into our classrooms. Accessing greatness in each situation, brightening knowledge of each professional and establishing pathways to pedagogical empowerment proves that life--like the profession of teaching--is rooted in far more roses than thorns. I humbly claim many years of victory in education since I live a BOLD mantra, "excellence is not an act, but rather a habit’”.

Twitter Handle: MzCraighead @TeachMe2neyet

Michele Liggins

Michele Liggins is a second grade tag teacher in Henry County. She has been an educator for 18 years focusing on gifted education, STEAM, and effective technology integration with an emphasis on blended learning. She is one of her school’s leads in technology integration and personalized learning.
Michele holds a Bachelor of Science in Education (Elementary Education) degree and Masters degree in Instructional Technology from University of Georgia. She has presented at GaETC twice on integrating iPad into an elementary classroom and effectively using QR Codes in the classroom. She is also an Apple Teacher and Nearpod Certified Educator. Currently, she is working on Google Certified Educator (Levels 1 and 2).
Twitter Handle: @MMLNow