Note from the editor
Authentic voices in education. | We are a collective of students, teachers, parents, and other genuine stakeholders sharing stories about and discussing learning, teaching, and education. Join us by tweeting a link to an article to @synapsepub.
Editors
Owner and Editor
Brad DeckerTeaching, Traveling, Writing. MA in Film Studies, Earning MA in Teaching. Owner and Editor at Panel & Frame and The Synapse.
Student Editor
Merrit Jones•be the change• River Bluff HS senior | founder of @StuSpace | http://stuspace.org
Writers
Christopher Long
Husband, Father of two daughters, Professor of Philosophy and Dean of the College of Arts & Letters at Michigan State University
Tom Wilson
Ph.D. Student at University of Southampton, England. Lover of people, dance, coffee, and bicycles.
John Spencer
My goal is simple. I want to make something new every day. Some days, I make stuff. Other days, I make a difference. On a good day, I get to do both.
Chris Baker
7th Grade science teacher, Subject Area Coordinator (SAC), moderate iconoclast, all around swell guy
Melissa Fagan
Cape Town-based, Joburg-born freelance writer and editor. Recovering drama student. Navigating life’s journey one day at a time.
art la flamme
Army guy, parent, educator but not teacher, asker of questions, driver of fast cars. #LaFlammBAE #Unicorn
Ruben Brosbe
I’m a NYC public school teacher, NYC Teaching Fellow, & 2012 graduate of the Harvard Graduate School of Education. I blog at www.rubenbrosbe.com
Mr. Theriault
English Lit Learner, #nerd, #food, comics/kung-fu movies; collector of memorable moments #CAedchat co-founder. #edcampHOME co-founder Google Certified Teacher
Brian E. Bennett
I'm a science teacher learning with students in a flipped classroom. Teacher, writer, speaker, learner, creator of #flipclass chat. Let's start a conversation.
Martha Kennedy
Writer of historical fiction, expressionist painter, retired college and university instructor in writing, business communication, literature and ESL.
Mindy McAdams
Online journalism professor, University of Florida. Always doing some kind of journalism training, somewhere in the world. http://www.rebelmouse.com/macloo
#TeachAcceptance
Concerned Parents & Students:Teach Acceptance. Supporting teachers & staff the in San Francisco Diocese. Visit teachacceptance.org #TeachAccepta
Paul Skidmore
Education entrepreneur, interested in high-quality but low-cost learning in Africa. Recovering political junkie and policy nerd.
Michael Barata
social change enthusiast / psychology instructor / workplace culture change facilitator / public speaker / blogger/vlogger
student writer
Krishna RammohanDesign brings stories to life. Dublin HS Senior and electric vehicle nerd.
youthradio
Broadcasting youth perspectives across the globe with syndication to major outlets including @NPR, @MarketplaceAPM, and @HuffingtonPost.
Benjamin J. Rosenblatt
Born and raised in NYC. AU 2018. Writing on policy, politics, and whatever else comes to mind. Contributor to The Synapse.
Susan Harlan
English professor who professes Shakespeare, avid collector of objects and ideas, committed road-tripper, and drinker of cocktails.
Kelli Marshall
PhD. Film, Shakespeare, TV. Media Studies at DePaul. Child of pop culture. Gene Kelly junkie. Curator/editor of @OuttakeThe on @Medium. http://kellimarshall.net
Brendan Schlagel
Writing, stories, tech, books, media, urban design, information, futurism, learning & sharing ideas. Product/video at @codegtr + building @SelfStartersG
Alex Wolf
EdTech company founded by Alex Wolf: artist designer inventor (RISD). Shaking up nature learning in games, toys + apps! http://bit.ly/1mZ6UQh
Diana Black Kennedy
Diana Black Kennedy is an educational therapist in San Anselmo, California. She writes a blog about education at www.MindSparkLearning.com.
The Inclusive Liz Jackson
I write about the intersection of disability and style. I love beautiful products.
Amanda Kruysman
Wife. Mom. Teacher. Coach. Team PBL, Design Thinking Junkie. #dtk12chat mod Passionate about school culture, relationships, and authentic learning.
Sara Goldstein
Real mom, fake adult. Writer and shh-er. Community manager at Parent.Co also blogs at oddlywelladjusted.com.
Jessy Irwin
Lady geek, taco enthusiast, privacy advocate, security evangelist. I wear big necklaces and (attempt to) hack things. @1Password is my boo.
Eric Spreng
High school English teacher by profession & vocation. Committed creator, writer, traveler. Lover of cats, cat vids. @BrownUniversity MAT #engchat #edchat
Junior Historians
An innovative, document-based approach to engaging kids with history. MS History teacher & curriculum development. www.Juniorhistorians.com & @_jr_Historians.
Tom O Scott
Abstract and natural photographer. Married to a world-class public school elementary teacher.
Christopher Bronke
TEACHER, writer, HS Eng Dept. Chair | social learning specialist | @natblogcollab co-director & writing trainer/coach | National Presenter |
Catherine Hicks
Postdoctoral Fellow in the Design [email protected] studying online learning. She likes human beings, success in unlikely places, and short stories.
Gerald R. Lucas
English Professor & Digital Humanist; I teach literature, new media studies, and writing for digital media. http://geraldlucas.me/
Thomas J. West III
Ph.D. Student in Film and TV at Syracuse Univ. researching and tweeting on history in the popular media. Radical feminist and queer scholar. Tolkien fan. SJW.
Shannon Des Roches Rosa
Writer. Editor. Parent. Geek. | www.squidalicious.com | www.thinkingautismguide.com
eric démoré
teacher, story-teller, people-connecter | guiding teens to read and write their world | opinions recycled from those of my heroes | DAY-moh-RAY.
Ashley Bayles
Passionate about technology, literature, baking, photography, Pilates, and the oxford comma.
Jon Samuelson
iPad lover, mobile learning specialist for Menchaca ES & Client Solution Specialist for Atlas Learning. Co-host of Techlandia Podcast, fan of creative apps.
Erin Harris
Content writer by day; fiction writer by night (http://thehouseonthelakenovella.com). Part of the @CPI_Training team.
Bonnie Eisenman
I’m a software engineer at Twitter. Check out my projects: blog.bonnieeisenman.com/projects/
Creative/Humor
Brad LawrenceWriter, storyteller, regular Burlesque host, Moth Mainstager, sometime stripper, free mason. I'm not a free mason.
Student Writer
Jarryon PaulI was born a certain percentage Entrepreneur. I live daily to uncover the rest of my percentage. Follow my story on Twitter @jarryonxpaul. I aim to write daily.
NYCLeadershipAcademy.org
An independent, national nonprofit organization that prepares and supports school leaders who create equity in education and foster student success.
Student Writer
Anne-Frédérique TurbideJust a high school student who’s also a dedicated dancer and has a passion for writing ❤
Sarah Eisner
Recovering entrepreneur, compulsive swimmer and apple fritter eater, ambitious feminist and grateful mom trying to keep it real in Silicon Valley
Teresa Buczinsky
Division Technology Coach and Teacher of Honors English, Creative Writing, and Humanities at Prospect High School
alto
Canadian flight medic turned MFA grad turned researcher; poetics, literary non fiction, satire, stray dogs, & Starbucks do not displease me.
Karen Hyams
Abstract Artist and Photographer, Production Designer, Sudbury education supporter, forest dweller, Pittsburgh native, reformed vagabond. www.karenhyams.com
Ruchita
Founding Editor at The Unlearner. Graduate student at Boston University. Edtech enthusiast. Huge nerd.
M. Chavez
“They see me trying, creating, exploring the possible careers that I want to get in” …College student looking for their passion.
Catalyst Woman
I also go by Mariam Shoaib. Like to talk about Technology, Education,Financial Literacy + how they impact the lives of women. Writer, Editor, Podcaster.
Digital Promise
A national nonprofit organization dedicated to spurring innovation in education to improve the opportunity to learn for all Americans. http://bit.ly/dpromise
Dinah Davis
Founder of code.likeagirl.io, Editor of Code Like A Girl publication, and Director of R&D at Arctic Wolf Networks.
Chris Crouch
Read more at www.workonthework.org Co creator/co moderator of #edbookchat HuffPost Blogger
Jose Vilson
I teach by day, write by night, part time, and speak up full time. Bright light from a distant star, voice for the people. http://thejosevilson.com
Tim Monreal
BeardedTeacher — CA to SC | MS Teacher | PhD Student @UofSC | Founder @CrowdSchool @SlackEDU | Educate To Empower Social Change | Hacer Surf | Thoughts my own
Alex Ellison
Founder, Dunce Labs | Helping teens launch their futures — to college and beyond www.duncecp.com
Michelle Moravec
Historian doing corpus linguistics, Feminist writing about politics of women's culture, historying digitally #writinginpublic http://michellemoravec.com
Adeline Koh
Associate Professor of Postcolonial Literature, Director of [email protected] at Stockton University. Web Designer, Founder of SabbaticalBeauty.com
Wesley Fryer, Ph.D.
What do you want to create today? Husband of @sfryer, dad, teacher, tech director, author, speaker, & essentialist. ADE & GCT. @k12online & @EdCampOKC Organizer
Nicole Matos
Writer, professor, special needs mom + retired roller derby skater. Content non-strategist. Literary magpie. Follow me at https://twitter.com/nicole_matos2
Lisa Hollenbach
Educator.HSSS&DC.EdLeader. GatesTAC14–16. Blogger. EdTech. LDC. Tch. APPsych/Psych/Soc/PopCult, PAEAUnionPrez.PSU/LVC Adjunct. @NatBlogCollab Co-Founder & Coach
Sherri Spelic
Leadership Coach, Educator, Workshop presenter and facilitator, avid reader & writer @ home on the edge of the alps.
Redesign Challenge
Imagine a world where videos inspire teachers to improve their practice. Can you help us get there? http://bit.ly/rdcorg3
Steve Harvey
Proud husband, father, comedian, daytime show host, philanthropist and author. God has blessed me with more than I could have asked for!
Karen Kilbane
My students with special needs have led me to develop a hypothesis for a brain-compatible theory of personality.
Susan Silver
Community consultant and market researcher. Writes at http://blog.susansilver.net. Interested in the intersection off comp sci, psychology, and stats.
Lily Eskelsen García
Official account of the president of the National Education Association. Utah teacher of the year, author, maestra and rabble rouser!
Renate Berger
Junior History/secondary education major; Writing center tutor; I blog about whatever topics in education strike me
Dean Shareski
I try not to take this place too seriously but occasionally I do. Wanna know more about how I use twitter? Watch. http://t.co/MpvKII6A
Sara Goldrick-Rab
*I am no longer accepting the things I cannot change; I’m changing the things I cannot accept.* Professor of Educational Policy Studies & Sociology, UW-Madison
Owner and Editor
Brad DeckerTeaching, Traveling, Writing. MA in Film Studies, Earning MA in Teaching. Owner and Editor at Panel & Frame and The Synapse.
pammoran
as an educator I'm for 21st c community learning spaces for all kinds of learners, both adults and young people; comments reflect my personal point of view.
Angela Dye, PhD
Critical Pedagogy, School Leadership, Research and Social Change http://empowermentstartshere.wordpress.com/
Ali R. Naraghi
Ali is a Toronto-based writer and has written for Novara Media. A graduate of Ryerson University, his research focuses on U.S. foreign policy and Middle East.
Ari Vaniderstine
Blogger, techie, hacker. Community manager, technology evangelist, web designer and developer, freelance writer and editor. Woman in tech. Hedgehog enthusiast.
Tim Cigelske
Director of Social Media @MarquetteU. Podcast addict. Views are my operant conditioning.
Chanté Griffin
On the Stage. On the Page. On Camera. A code-switchin, cross-carryin, cultural-surveyin writer, educator & entertainer who favors books over shoes. @yougochante
student writer
Chemi“You've gotta dance like there's nobody watching, love like you'll never be hurt, sing like there's nobody listening, and live like it's heaven on earth.”-W.P
student writer
Lauren HummelLoves Philly sports teams, likes spending time with family, loves dogs, wants to be an engineer.
student writer
Stephanie Dysonfounder of The Mill -- giving high school artists the tools to profit from themselves | renaissance woman | SLA c/o 2016 | I am the juice itself | RT =/= cosign
student writer
Tamira BellSLA Class of 2016. A follower, believer, disciple, and lover of Jesus Christ. Future missionary. Filmmaker and photographer.
Lisa Grocott
Director of Thrvng: a learning futures lab, associate professor of design research and mother of 2 Brooklyn boys. But in the reverse order. www.thrvng.com
Mike Crowley
International School of Brussels - Assistant Director / MS Head. #Edtech. Digital Learning. School Culture. https://about.me/mike.crowley
Skylar L. Primm
I used to be a geologist. Now I teach project based learning at an environmental charter school. I much prefer the latter. #EnviroEd #EdTech #GMWP #PBL
Will Richardson
Parent, author, speaker, instigator, blogger about the Web and its effects on schools, education and learning. Co-publisher of ModernLearners.com. @willrich45
Heather Ridge
Educator, writer and part-time explorer. Terrible driver. @RidgeHeather www.perennialgrowth.org
Kathleen Callahan
Ed.M. Candidate at Harvard Graduate School of Education: International Education Policy.
Whimsagogy
A whimsagog who seeks to balance educational gravity with educational levity on the path to epi-funny. Global citizenship lead teacher Arundel High
Center for Teaching Quali
Transforming education through the bold ideas and expert practices of teacher leaders. Learn more: www.teachingquality.org
Ama McKinley
Storyteller | Priestess | Flirt | ATLien | I tell all of my business at YouAreTheTruth.com
Saya Iwasaki
Educational Innovator, Learning Experience Designer and Diversity Expert: adjusting the lens in which humans see the world #nofilter
Katy Farber
founder of Non-Toxic Kids, teacher, author of new YA book THE ORDER OF THE TREES, blogger + advocate for children's health, women, education, and environment.
Dan Ryder
Educator, design thinker, improviser, Dan Ryder (http://DanRyder207.com) exploring learning & teaching in Maine & beyond #dtk12chat #EdChatME #dare2design
Kelly Christopherson
husband, father, PhD candidate U of R, educational consultant, educator, technology and Design Thinking enthusiast, Wii player, Star Wars & McFarlane collector
Noah Geisel
Singing along with the chorus is the easy part. The meat and potatoes are in the Verses. Educator, speaker, connector and risk-taker. @SenorG on the Twitter
Tom Farr
Tom is a writer, storyteller and high school English teacher. He loves creating and spending time with his wife and three children. http://whisperproject.net
Laura Eberhart Goodman
Reader, Writer, Storyteller, Artist, Dreamer, Life-Long Learner, Change Maker, Coffee Drinker, Believer in Unrealistic Goals and Dreams
Harris Sockel
Human being. Follow him @HarrisSockel or talk to him via hsockel at jee mayl daht kahm.
Nikita Taparia
Engineer. Scientist. Superman. Cookie/Coffee Addict. Educator. Photographer. Musician. Artist. Whiteboard Obsession. @ByTheMinTennis Commentator. Writer/Editor.
Amar Kumar
SVP Efficacy & Research, @Pearson. Dabble in educ investing. Passion for turning ed into outcomes. Former teacher, principal, consultant & coder. Tweets my own.
T.J. Scholl
UNC Alum & Christian Beach Bum from the Crystal Coast. Marketing and Communications for @VIFglobaled.
Mohamed Said
Web Developer. I love building things from scratch. I dream of being able to travel freely. Follow me as @themsaid or on http://themsaid.github.io
Christopher Rogers
I’m no mortal man. Lead Director, @JustMaybeCo | http://justmaybe.co | My labor is my protest.
Brady Cline
Learning Innovation Coordinator, ADE, DEEP Learners Co-founder, PYP/MYP teaching, leading and learning in 7 countries. Doctoral candidate. . . Unsatisfied.
Alisha Wilson
Innovation Specialist. Lifelong teacher, reader, and learner. Firm believer that creativity is intelligence having fun. New Tweeter @wilsonforthewin
Hackable High Schools
Increasing student voice to a level no one else is even imagining. Http://hackingHighSchool.co
Andrew Brennen
| Student | Community Organizer | National Field Director, @Stu_Voice | [email protected] | @gentrytweets
VIF Int’l Education
We partner with districts and schools to prepare global-ready teachers and students. Happy to be part of the @bcorporation community. Global learning for all!
Rusul Alrubail
Blogger & community facilitator @edutopia. Writer on Edu, Teaching & Learning. @thewritingproj. English/ELL. #EduColor squad #profchat organizer. Mom of two.
Jack Hubbard
Founder & CEO @propellernet & @CoverageBooks, Entrepreneur in residence @dreamvalley365, Troublemaker weareredstars.com
SIMA Awards
We celebrate social-documentary storytelling of excellence and connect international audiences, educators and organizations with the best global impact cinema.
Etienne C. Toussaint
I craft beautiful art in my dreams. Simply trying to remember it all. www.etiennetoussaint.com @EtienneT_Esq
Sacha Ostern
Lover of questions, hikes, and all of the foods. Probably geeking out about education, technology, and design. SF raised, DC educated. Recovering politico.
Barbara Lee
Techno-hybrid, living at the intersection of technology, information, & design. Autodidact, storyteller, lifelong learner, musician, and empath. @techartshybrid
Anamaria Knight
Students who learn from a global lens have a lot to teach adults about how to tackle global issues.
Florina Rodov
I contribute to The Atlantic, Quartz, Entrepreneur, etc. & run a nonprofit that supports low-income gifted kids. I used to teach in the inner city.
Matthew R. Morris
Educator, blogger, speaker, and Anti-Racism activist. The blog, www.matthewrmorris.com speaks to aspects of race, culture, and education.
Mark Clutton
English teacher, explorer of multimodal texts in the classroom, usually awesome, at times absurd. 34yo. Working to improve what his obituary might say.
Campbell Erickson
17 year old social entrepreneur, photographer, and all around person just trying to live life…
Colleen Broderick
Chief Learning Designer for @DonnellKay #ReSchool Colorado project - Eager to define the #nextgensystem that best serves kids NOW
Junaid Mubeen
Oxford Mathematician turned educator. @HGSE '12. Head of Product @MathsWhizzTutor. Long-distance runner. Anagrams. www.fjmubeen.com
Magoosh
Providing effective, affordable and enjoyable test prep since 2009. Prep smart, go far. Enjoy the ride. http://magoosh.com/
Ms. White
Part-time writer, part-time critic, full-time Black woman. If you like what I write or just wanna help out a single mom you can donate here: paypal.me/MsWhite13
Angela Jerabek
Educator, Mother, Developer of Building Assets, Reducing Risks (BARR) secondary school improvement model www.barrcenter.org
JackieGerstein Ed.D.
I don't do teaching for a living, I live teaching as my doing, and technology has AMPLIFIED the passion.
Greg McVerry
I am a researcher and teacher educator at Southern Connecticut State University. Focus on literacy and technology.
Tom Barrett
Helping people re-discover the curiosity they had when they were 6 years old; designing learning that uses that curiosity to change the world around us.
Kenneth Clayden
November ’96 (so I don’t have to keep you updated with my age). I have a blog: www.kennethclayden.com I have a YouTube: www.youtube.com/kennethclayden