Keynote Speakers

2019 Keynote Speaker - DINAH ZIKE

Dinah Zike, M.Ed., is a nationally renowned author, education consultant, and lecturer. She has invented hundreds of educational manipulatives (graphic organizers) that are used internationally by educators, trainers, and consultants. Dinah has developed over 200 supplemental educational books and materials used in homes and classrooms nationally and in English-speaking countries around the world. Her Foldables® are an exclusive feature of McGraw-Hill textbooks.

Five of Dinah's books have won LearningTM magazine's Teachers' Choice Awards. Envelope Graphic OrganizersTM and Foldables® and VKV®s for Phonics, Spelling and Vocabulary PreK- 3rd, were judged top Professional Development picks for 2014. Notebook Foldables® and Foldables®, Notebook Foldables®, and VKV®s for Spelling and Vocabulary 4th-12th were designated For the Classroom winners in 2011. Dinah's Big Book of Books and Activities won the distinction in 1994, the very first year LearningTM magazine instituted these awards.

Among other awards and recognition, Dinah received the Council for Elementary Science International's Elementary Science Advocate Award in 2004, which remains one of her most treasured accolades.

Dinah lives in an 1800s stone house with her husband, three dogs, five longhorns, four chickens, cat in the historic village of Comfort in the Texas Hill Country.



2018 Keynote Speaker- Cassandra Corbin-Thaddies

Cassondra Corbin-Thaddies is a passionate leader committed to creating a shift in mind-set and educational practices to positively impact student learning. She has been an educator for over 22 years in various sectors including government and non-profits. Prior to joining McGraw Hill, Cassondra worked as a Regional Director managing educational programs serving underserved students in K-12 schools. In addition, she worked as the Director of Professional Learning at Redbird Advanced Learning where she collaborated with Stanford University's Graduate School of Education as a contributor to the design and course development of the Redbird Professional Learning Platform that provides innovative online professional development to thousands of teachers and leaders across the country. As the National Consultant, Blended Learning, for McGraw-Hill Education, Cassondra travels nationally and internationally supporting district and school leaders to implement 21st century teaching strategies that transform learning experiences for students.