Opening Speaker:  Dr. Yong Zhao

Yong Zhao is a University Distinguished Professor at Michigan State University, where he serves as the founding Director of the Center for Teaching and Technology as well as the US-China Center for Research on Educational Excellence.  Zhao received his Ph.D in Education from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 1996.  His research interests include globalization and education, digital citizenship, diffusion of innovation, teacher adoption of technology, computer-assisted language learning, and international and comparative eduation.  Zhao has been invited to present to education policy makers and practitioners in many countries including Australia, Chile, China, England, Ireland, Singapore, Sweeden, Thailand, The Netherlands, the United States, and Vietnam.

Closing Speaker: Peter Yarrow

Peter Yarrow is currently celebrating his 48th year with the legendary trio of Peter, Paul, & Mary. Eight years ago, he founded Operation Respect, a non-profit educational advocacy organization that offers a free school-based program called "Don't Laugh At Me" (DLAM) that uses music to catalyze change by reaching the hearts of students and educators alike. Operation Respect has become a leader in efforts to advocate for "whole child education" while DLAM helps to create caring, respectful and bully-free school environments that encourage learning and the growth of children and youth into productive, participatory citizens. Peter holds a degree in Experimental Pyschology from Cornell University and has been awarded two honorary doctorates for his work in Operation Respect.