Berit Gordon supports teachers and teacher leaders in districts across the U.S. and Canada, conducting school-embedded professional development and presenting keynote talks and workshops at education conferences. Berit brings many years of teaching experience in NYC schools and the Dominican Republic to her educational consulting, and she currently teaches English and education courses at the college level. Her recent book, The Joyful Teacher, is a collection of tried-and-true strategies that empower teachers and help them quickly get to high-impact teaching. Her other book,  No More Fake Reading, offers solutions for boosting stamina, joy, and skills among adolescent readers. She lives with her family in Maplewood, New Jersey. 

JoEllen McCarthy is a lifelong learner, educator, and literacy specialist who spends her days teaching and learning alongside students, teachers, and administrators. A frequent presenter at regional and national events, JoEllen is a Book Ambassador and member of the Educator Collaborative. She spreads a love and enthusiasm for learning to the school communities she serves and as a consultant for various organizations such as Bookelicious. She champions the power of picture books as coteachers and explores her vision for this work for teachers, families, and students in the book, Layers of Learning: Using Read Alouds to Connect Literacy and Caring Conversations.