MEET THE SPEAKERS
Check out the SPEAKER PROFILES + download their FREE RESOURCES below.
Charle Peck, LCSW, LISW, M.Ed.
Keynote Speaker | Leadership Trainer | Author
Charle Peck, LCSW, LISW, M.Ed., is a keynote speaker, licensed therapist, author, and former educator who transforms chaotic systems from the inside out. Specializing in stress tolerance, she delivers a powerful message of hope to professionals in high-pressure roles, offering practical tools and strategies to maintain stability and improve performance. To sustain impact, Charle designed and developed a training system that helps leaders build capacity within their teams using a simple, yet transformative, framework. Her signature talk, Thriving Under Pressure, inspires audiences across education, healthcare, and corporate wellness sectors worldwide, while her workshops transform insight into long-term change.
📚 FREE RESOURCE
Rapid Resets
Rapid Resets are practical, integrative strategies designed to reduce stress in real time, restore stability, and respond to behavior more effectively.
These brief, neuroscience-based strategies help adults regulate their own nervous systems first, so they can move from reactivity to intentional response. The focus is not “fixing behavior,” but stabilizing the adult, using tools like one-minute resets, co-regulation anchors, and predictable language loops that lower cognitive load and de-escalate intensity.
Joshua Stamper
Keynote Speaker | Author | Podcaster | Leadership Consultant
Joshua Stamper is an experienced educator who has worked in a variety of roles, including middle school administrator, classroom art educator, and athletic coach. He is currently the Training and Development Specialist for the Teach Better Team, where he manages the Teach Better Podcast Network. In addition to his work with the Teach Better Team, Joshua is the author of Aspire to Lead, a podcast host, and a leadership coach and presenter for educators. His passion for education is evident in everything he does, and he is committed to helping others reach their full potential.
📚 FREE RESOURCE
Book Study Kit - The Language of Behavior
Get all the resources you need all in this one, done-for-you kit. You’ll get a facilitator guide, reflection questions, printable worksheets, + more!
Mimosa Jones Tunney
Founder and President of The School House and The American Emergent Curriculum
Mimosa Jones Tunney is Founder & President of The School House and the American Emergent Curriculum and a pedagogical scientist dedicated to reestablishing American education in the mid-21st century.
Her path to education reform was anything but conventional. After graduating from American University’s School of Public Policy in Washington, D.C., she worked for one of the most powerful senators on Capitol Hill and later became one of the youngest gubernatorial speechwriters in the United States. She then built a successful career in Hollywood, writing for acclaimed television maverick Aaron Sorkin, directing documentary work, and developing film projects at the highest level.
But it was through deep research, motherhood, and a growing conviction that America had lost its way in educating children thereby resulting in the divisive culture we have today, that Mimosa turned her full attention to the future of learning. Drawing from the great pedagogical thinkers of history and a clear-eyed understanding of child development, she set out to build a new kind of American school—one grounded not in trend or political ideology, but in developmental science, coherence, rigor, and humanity.
In 2017, she founded The School House, an independent school for working families in East Northport, New York where the 36-person team worked tirelessly to intentionally weave together what we know works pedagogically in childhood learning with what we used to love about American schools. The School House is now a rigorous, fully developed learning architecture serving Learners from toddler through middle school. The school integrates strong academics with life skills, creativity, entrepreneurship, and real-world experiences, while preserving the enduring values of civics, economic diversity, sports and movement, and performing arts. Its foundation rests on an interconnected, developmentally aligned American Emergent Curriculum, a transparent Educator and Parent culture, and beautifully prepared environments designed to foster both calm and excellence. Learners have achieved extraordinary outcomes, scoring 2x the national average across all subjects without academic criteria for admission.
Under Mimosa’s leadership, The School House has become a nationally recognized demonstration site for what the future of American education must achieve. Mimosa and The School House were named finalists for the 2025 Yass Prize, often described as the “Pulitzer of Education” winning the Transformational Prize.
Their momentum has drawn the attention of influential leaders, including U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon. Mimosa has also emerged as a national thought leader in pedagogical science, appearing on Scripps News, Newsmax, Fox News, and American Sunrise, while her work has been cited and featured in publications including Forbes, Newsweek, and Newsday.
In partnership with Long Island University, Mimosa also helped secure a $2.3 million U.S. Department of Education grant to expand child-first civics education nationwide. In addition to her work as an educational founder and public voice, Mimosa is currently writing three books slated for publication in 2027 and 2028. Mimosa Jones Tunney is married to John J. Tunney III. Together, the Tunney family created and funded The School House, and John continues to support the mission through his service on the Board of Directors. She is the mother of John and Duke, the inspiration for all.
Dr. Stefan Bean
Orange County Superintendent of Schools
“Lifted to Lead” by Stefan Bean and Kathy Nash is an inspiring memoir that chronicles Dr. Bean’s extraordinary journey from being an abandoned, paraplegic orphan in war-torn Vietnam to becoming a respected educational leader in the United States.
The book weaves together themes of resilience, faith, and perseverance, highlighting how community support, determination, and purpose can transform even the most challenging circumstances into a life of impact and leadership. Through deeply personal stories and lessons, it offers a powerful message about overcoming adversity and leading with hope and intention.
*Dr. Stefan Bean will be giving away 5 free books after his interview!
Dr. Stefan Bean has dedicated the past 28 years to serving Southern California communities and students as a teacher, principal and school administrator. In June 2024, the Orange County Board of Education unanimously appointed him as Orange County's 12th superintendent of schools, a position that dates back to 1889.
From July 2022 through June 2024, Dr. Bean served as the executive director of a charter school network in Irvine. Prior to this, he worked for Aspire Public Schools in Los Angeles for nearly 12 years, progressing through roles as lead principal, associate superintendent and superintendent. In the latter role, he oversaw 11 schools serving students from transitional kindergarten through grade 12.
His education includes a bachelor's degree from the University of Southern California, a master's degree in educational leadership from Loyola Marymount University and a doctorate in educational administration from California State University, Fullerton.
Dr. Bean's personal experiences as an English language learner and a student with a disability have deeply influenced his educational philosophy. He has expressed a particular passion for supporting English learners and marginalized students.
Born in Saigon during the early 1970s as Nam Le Thanh, Dr. Bean overcame significant early challenges. Stricken by polio and abandoned, he was brought to the United States as part of Operation Babylift during the Vietnam War. At age 4, he entered the U.S. foster care system and was later adopted by the Bean family, who supported his academic achievements.
Despite health issues, Bean engaged in sports and extracurricular activities as a child, serving as an umpire for sandlot baseball games, joining the student council and developing his public speaking skills. He was a straight-A student who was elected as sixth-grade class president and earned an opportunity to make a speech in Washington, D.C., advocating for those who were disadvantaged. After high school, he received a full scholarship to USC.
During his college years, Dr. Bean met Janet Soares, whom he married in 2000. They raised four children and were deeply involved in work and ministry. Dr. Bean credits Janet, who tragically passed away in 2021 after a battle with cancer, as a significant source of support throughout his life and career.
“I want our students across Orange County to know that I've got their backs, no matter what, and that they should use me as an example," he said. “No matter what they're going through, no matter what challenges they may face — whether they have a disability, a speech impediment, whether they speak English as a second language, or whether they're experiencing trauma — I want them to know that I'm there, and I'm going to protect them and help them throughout our county."
Darrin Peppard, Ed. D.
Leadership Coach | Speaker | Author + Publisher
Dr. Darrin Peppard is an author, leadership coach, consultant, and speaker focused on organizational culture and climate, and growing emerging leaders. Darrin is the best-selling author of the book Road to Awesome, and is the host of the Leaning into Leadership podcast. As a ‘recovering high school principal’, Darrin shares strategies and lessons learned from 26 years in public education to help leaders gain clarity, find joy in their work, and walk in their purpose.
📚 FREE RESOURCE
E-Book: Walk In Your Purpose
Exhausted, overwhelmed, living life under water. That is a common theme when asking early career leaders how things are progressing in their job. This free e-book can help you to walk in your purpose and be the leader you wish to be.
Kim Gameroz
Founder & CEO of Teaching Inside Out
Kim Gameroz, M.Ed., is a change agent, published author, and founder of Teaching Inside Out, where she is revolutionizing classrooms through a systematic approach to teaching social and emotional skills. With over 15 years of experience coaching, training, and mentoring educators, students, and families globally, Kim has spoken at conferences nationwide, consults for school districts, serves on SEL panels, and contributes to publications and podcasts focused on transforming education from the inside out.
She is the author of Becoming the BISON, a bold call for educators to face challenges head-on and lead with intentional action. Through Teaching Inside Out and her second company, SELebrate Good Times, Kim has built a thriving community of heart-centered educators across the country. She is committed to ensuring teachers feel seen, valued, and SELebrated through her events, professional development, and retreats.
Kim resides in Dallas, Texas with her husband, Shaun, and their son, Wyatt. She continues to partner with schools, districts, and families to expand the impact of social-emotional learning and sustainable classroom systems nationwide.
📚 FREE RESOURCE
The "What They Really Need" Anchor Chart Bundle
For every moment that feels frustrating, confusing, or personal - this collection gives you clarity. These 20+ anchor charts help you uncover the need beneath the behavior and respond in ways that actually create change.
Dr. Julie Schmidt Hasson
Resilience Researcher | Certified Resilience Trainer
Dr. Julie Schmidt Hasson is a professor, researcher, and resilience trainer who helps educators keep their batteries charged and recharge when they become depleted. Julie is the author of four books, including Pause, Ponder, and Persist in the Classroom. Julie’s Teacher Recharge Framework helps educators navigate challenges in ways that light them up instead of burn them out. Julie’s TEDx Talk, keynotes, and professional learning programs have impacted educators around the world. Julie’s work shows it is possible to impact lives and still have a life.
📚 FREE RESOURCE
The 10 Minute Pause Journal
This 90 day journal provides prompts for a peaceful and productive 10-minute pause in the morning and 10-minute pause in the evening. The morning prompts help teachers determine a feeling and focus for the day, rather than allowing circumstances and events to determine how the day will go. The evening prompts help teachers release the day's stress, reflect on the successes, and identify moments of gratitude. Pausing with this reflective tool is a powerful way to bring more joy and fulfillment to the teaching day.
Frederick Buskey, EdD
Speaker | Author | Podcaster | Leadership Coach
Frederick Buskey is a speaker, author, podcaster and coach with 17 years of experience teaching and leading in k-12 internationally and in the US. He's led total redesigns of principal licensure programs at two universities. Frederick uses his unique combination of personal experiences, the experiences of others, and understanding of the research to create simple and practical frameworks to turn complex challenges, like change and teacher support, into simple, actionable practices. In addition to his book, A School Leader’s Guide to Reclaiming Purpose, he writes a daily leadership email and hosts The Assistant Principal Podcast.
📚 FREE RESOURCE
Super Simple Motivation Assessment
A simple tool to help you reflect on resistance and uncover the factors impacting another person's motivation.
Dwight Carter
Director of Student Support Systems | Speaker | Author
Dwight Carter is a nationally recognized school leader from Central OH and has been an educator for 27 years. Because of his collaborative and innovative leadership, in 2010, he was inducted into the Jostens Renaissance Educator Hall of Fame. He was also named a 2013 National Association of Secondary School Principals Digital Principal of the Year, the 2014 Academy of Arts and Science Education High School Principal of the Year, the 2015 Ohio Alliance of Black School Educators Principal of the Year, and a 2021 Columbus Afrocentric Early College Sankofa Emerging Leader Award winner. He is currently the Director of Student Support Systems for the Eastland-Fairfield Career and Technical Schools District.
📚 FREE RESOURCE
Be G.R.E.A.T. - A guide to develop the skills to Be GREAT: Grateful, Relational, Enthusiasm, Authentic, Teachable
David Spellmon
CEO of Positive Archer Solutions
David Spellmon is an Urban Educator in Charlotte, NC. His main objectives are sending off infectious positive energy and meeting students where they are at to improve their academic and behavioral status. David specializes in creating innovative ways to incorporate hip-hop pedagogy, social and emotional learning, service learning, and cultural responsiveness to make an impact on his students. He is also the author of the book Just Like Music: Social Emotional Learning Inspired by Hip-Hop.
📚 FREE RESOURCE
Music Challenge Worksheet
This worksheet allows students to use their music to boost up 9 social emotional traits.
