Presenters

More speakers coming soon. Watch this space!

Rob Baier

Rob Baier is passionate about inspiring the next generation of mathematical thinkers. As the Atlantic Strategic Account Lead at Innovamat, Rob works to bring innovative, research-based math instruction to schools across the Atlantic region and beyond.

Previously, Rob served as the Executive Director of K–12 Mathematics, Science, and STEM for Pittsburgh Public Schools, where he led districtwide initiatives to strengthen teaching and learning, providing equitable access to high-level math instruction, core curricular resource adoption, and redesigning the math coaching model to be more intentional and effective. His diverse background includes experience as a classroom math teacher, curriculum director, and professional learning leader, all of which inform his work supporting educators and students.

Rob is also a co-host of the Debate Math podcast, where he engages in conversations about effective mathematics instruction and meaningful learning experiences.

Dr. Caitlin Bennyhoff

Dr. Caitlin Bennyhoff has been a certified school psychologist since 2008. Her areas of interest and expertise include graphing, calculating, and interpreting rate of improvement; tiered systems of support; and assessment and intervention with school avoidance behaviors. She is currently the ATTEND School Psychologist for Lancaster-Lebanon Intermediate Unit 13. Her role involves evaluating functions of school refusal behaviors and providing recommendations for families, students, and school districts. 

Lori Blantz

Lori Blantz attended West Chester University where she earned her bachelor’s degree in Special Education  She continued her education at Penn State University where she obtained a Masters in  Special Education, and Supervisory Certificate in Special Education. Lori also attended Millersville University to obtain certificates in Mathematics, Elementary and Early Childhood Education and Principal K-12. Finally, she received her Instructional Technology Specialist certificate online at Clarion University.  Over the past three plus decades, she has worn the hat of K-12 classroom special education teacher, Elementary Computer Science teacher, Supervisor of Special Education teachers and currently the Supervisor of STEM and Instructional Technology for Special Education teachers at Lancaster Lebanon IU13. She has two grown children and five adorable pets that keep her very busy.

Brian Booker

Brian Booker serves as the Teaching and Learning Consultant for Social Studies at IU13, where he supports curriculum, assessment, and instruction across districts. He also acts as IU13’s Gifted Liaison and contributes to the statewide JAVITS team focused on equity in gifted identification. Passionate about project-based learning and the integration of AI in classrooms, Brian brings a wealth of experience from his years as a middle school social studies teacher and adjunct professor at Elizabethtown College.

Sierra Bowers

Sierra Bowers has seven years of teaching experience, beginning in early childhood education and transitioning to middle school after earning a dual degree in Elementary and Special Education from Millersville University. She teaches special education ELA and co-teaches math and ELA, and completed her master’s in Special Education in 2024. Sierra is committed to advocating for students with disabilities and supporting teachers in providing accommodations. Her work includes presenting on assistive technology and researching PBIS strategies for classroom success. Her goal in teaching is to provide exceptional services to students with disabilities and advocate for their needs in the general education setting.

Patrick Brandt

Patrick Brandt is a veteran math teacher at Garden Spot High School with a master’s degree in Math Education and 19 years of experience teaching grades 8–12 across nearly every course offered. Recently, Patrick embraced the challenge of team teaching for the first time, an experience that has significantly shaped his professional growth and collaborative approach to instruction.

Dr. Matthew R. Ferchalk

Dr. Matthew Ferchalk is the Supervisor of Psychological Services and the ATTEND program at IU13. He has 20 years of experience as a school psychologist with professional interests relating to Autism, Behavioral Consultation, MTSS Development, and Data based Decision Making.

Dr. Shannon Haley-Mize

Dr. Shannon Haley-Mize is currently an Associate Professor of Education and Director of the Center for Global Understanding and Peacebuilding at Elizabethtown College. She completed doctoral study in special education with an emphasis in emotional and behavioral disorders at The University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg and has been involved in the study of peace education for several years. As part of her 15 year career at Etown College, she has taught courses in women and gender studies, seminars on power and oppression, a course on peace education that included a short-term study abroad trip to Belfast, and partnered with a local school to start the PeaceJam afterschool program for middle school students. Past experience in the education field includes work with students in a psychiatric day and inpatient treatment setting, federal grant administration, and service-learning program development. Her research interests include new literacy studies, technology integration in P-16 education; social justice, teacher education and conflict resolution. She has shared her work on these topics at a variety of conferences and scholarly publications.

Dr. Kerri Hample

Dr. Kerri Hample, OTR/L, NBC-HWC, is an Occupational Therapy professor with 25 years experience working with children. She is currently the Program Director for doctoral OT programs at Elizabethtown College. Kerri is also a board certified health coach with a specialty in gut health. She combines her OT and functional medicine areas of specialty to work with children who experience difficulties with interoception, the eighth sense and the one that enables people to know how they feel internally. She believes interoception is a foundational skill for emotional regulation and occupational performance at home, in school and our communities. She publishes and presents internationally and nationally on interoception and gut health. 

Dr. Drew Hunter

Drew Hunter, D.Ed., is a school psychologist in the Lebanon School District. Previously, he was a professor in the Department of Psychology at Millersville University and a consultant for the Pennsylvania Training and Technical Assistance Network (PaTTAN). His research interests include multi-tiered systems of support, response to intervention methodologies for the identification of specific learning disabilities, and academic interventions.

Erica Kaurudar

Erica Kaurudar DEd, NCSP is an Educational Consultant for the Pennsylvania Training and Technical Assistance Network (PaTTAN) and is the Statewide Lead for the School Psychology-RTI initiative. She is also a member of the Mathematics/ MTSS, Learning Environment and Engagement, and Attract-Prepare-Retain initiative teams at PaTTAN. Previously, she worked as a K-12 school psychologist and as an intermediate unit Training and Consultation (TaC) consultant. Dr. Kaurudar also works as a part-time faculty member at Indiana University of Pennsylvania in the Department of School Psychology, Special Education, and Sociology. Her areas of interest include multi-tiered system of supports (MTSS) for academics and behavior, mathematics assessment and intervention, and supporting professional development for school psychologists.  

Anne Kinderwater Carroll

Dr. Kinderwater Carroll is also celebrating her 30th year in education! Starting as science teacher in 1996 in the Penn Manor School District, she later served roles as science coordinator, dean of students, middle school and elementary principal. After her 17 year tenure at Penn Manor, Dr. KC has worked as a part-time faculty member at Millersville University to supervise and develop teacher and school leader candidates. In the past decade, Anne worked in local non-profits as an executive director, director of education, and consultant. She is currently an employee of the Community Health team at Penn Med LGHealth working to serve children, teens, and families impacted by substance use and mental health. In addition, Anne serves as a Hope Ambassador on a global committee with Dr. Chan Hellman at the University of Oklahoma.

Peter Licona

Peter Licona is an associate professor of PK-12 STEM Education at Elizabethtown College. He earned a bachelor’s degree in biology education, a master’s degree in biology, and a doctorate in curriculum and instruction (science education). He has over 30 years of experience teaching science, education, and other areas, including two years of teaching abroad. Peter currently teaches courses on science methods, mathematics methods, and cultural and linguistic diversity in PK-12 classrooms. His research program focuses on the intersection of culturally and linguistically diverse students and science and engineering education, with a focus on culturally and linguistically diverse students. He enjoys spending time with his dog, reading, hiking, playing guitar, and observing wildlife.

Vickie Martin

Vickie Martin is a Community Paramedicine Field Provider and EMS Educator with over 25 years of experience in emergency medical services. A certified Community Paramedic through the International Board of Specialty Certifications, Ms. Martin holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Millersville University. She is dedicated to expanding the role of EMS beyond emergency response, bridging EMS and community health to ensure compassionate, effective care for every patient.

Lucy McGloshen

Lucy McGloshen earned a B.S. in Neuroscience from Lebanon Valley College in 2022, graduating with Dean’s List honors. After a year of experience in clinical oncology research, Lucy began graduate studies in School Psychology at Millersville University, where she has completed an M.S. in Psychology and is on track to receive an Ed.S. in School Psychology in May 2026.

Dr. Dana Milakovic

Dr. Dana Milakovic is the Assistant Director for the Office of School Climate and Wellbeing at the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE). With over 20 years of experience spanning school and community mental health, pediatric neuropsychology, school administration, and school psychology, Dr. Milakovic is a respected national and international speaker. As PDE’s trauma lead, she helps schools create safe, supportive environments and co-chairs the educational committee for HEAL PA, driving trauma-informed, healing-centered initiatives statewide. Dr. Milakovic also provides expertise in threat assessment, crisis prevention as a statewide PREPaRE trainer, and is actively involved in criminal justice reform and child abuse prevention. Her leadership focuses on building equitable systems that support the academic and psychological well-being of all students and staff.

Heather Rotella

Heather Rotella is a National Board-Certified Health and Wellness Coach committed to enhancing community health through training, education, and integrative wellness coaching. She began her career as a middle school health and science teacher, and now serves in dual roles at Penn Medicine LG Health, working with both the Community Health and Holistic Therapy Teams. Heather’s work focuses on advancing community well-being by guiding individuals toward better health. Her approach emphasizes personalized strategies for achieving balance and lasting well-being, with a strong focus on stress reduction, self-care, and chronic disease management.

Jennifer Shade

Jen Shade currently serves as an Analyst Consultant with the Pennsylvania Training and Technical Assistance Network (PaTTAN), supporting the Autism Initiative, the Learning Environment and Engagement Initiative, and the Emotional Support Project. Jen earned her bachelor’s degree from Alvernia University in 2006 with a dual major in Elementary and Special Education. She began her career as an Autistic Support teacher, teaching students in grades K–6 for seven years. During that time, she completed her master’s degree at Eastern Mennonite University and later pursued Applied Behavior Analysis coursework through the Florida Institute of Technology.  She is a board certified behavior analyst joining and educational consultant. Both personally and professionally, Jen’s life has been shaped by raising children—both biological and adopted—which continues to deepen her passion for evidence-based practice and family-centered support. She is dedicated to empowering educators, individuals, and families to achieve meaningful outcomes and lead fulfilling lives.

Megan Smith

Megan Smith joined the Educational Technology team at IU13 in 2023 as an Instructional Technology Integrator. Prior to joining IU13, Megan taught in Manheim Township School District for eight years before supporting Manheim Township teachers as an Instructional Coach followed by a Technology Integration Coach for eight years. Megan has many years of experience with designing and facilitating a wide variety of professional learning opportunities with a focus on supporting best practices in instruction.

Dr. Raluca Snyder

Dr. Raluca Snyder is passionate about supporting students who are learning English. As a learner of English herself, Raluca understands the challenges and processes of acquiring another language. Beyond language, she understands the role of cultural background in establishing classroom connections. Raluca wants to equip teachers, administrators, and schools with the tools necessary to support the English learners. Her teaching career started in Romania and continued in the United States in both public and nonpublic schools. In her current position at IU13, Raluca is the Federal Programs Administrator and supervises the English as a Second Language (ESL) Services at the Lancaster County CTC and in the Nonpublic schools. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from Lancaster Bible College, a Master’s Degree in Literacy from Eastern Mennonite University, and a Doctoral Degree in Educational Leadership from Immaculata University. Raluca also holds ESL, Reading Specialist, Curriculum and Instruction Supervision, Administrative K-12, and Superintendent Certifications. Raluca loves spending time with her family, reading a good book, and accomplishing projects around the house.

Katherine Swinehart

Katherine Swinehart began her career pursuing Culinary Arts and business with dreams of opening a bakery, but her passion for math led her back to earn a second certification in math education. Since 2014, she has taught high school math at Garden Spot, where she discovered that while math is her subject, students are her true inspiration—making every day a unique and rewarding experience.

Gabi Turner

Gabi Turner is a school psychology intern at Warwick School District and is completing her final year in Millersville University’s graduate program, where she also competed as a student-athlete. A Lancaster County native, Gabi previously worked for two years as a Behavioral Health Technician, providing one-on-one support to students in schools and the community. She is passionate about fostering student success and looks forward to beginning her career in school psychology.

Elizabeth Welch

Elizabeth Welch currently serves as a special education consultant (SEC) for Eastern Lancaster County  (ELANCO) School District for learning support programs at the secondary campus with over 25 years of special education teaching experience in a variety of settings.   She has worked at ELANCO school district for 15 years.  During her  time at ELANCO, she served as an Elementary Learning Support Teacher and K-12 Reading Specialist before becoming a SEC. Before working at ELANCO, she worked for IU13 as an Autistic Support teacher in Lancaster City.   Elizabeth holds a bachelor's degree in Special Education N-12 and a master's degree in Curriculum and Instruction.  She is also a certified Dyslexia Therapist with a Level 2 Wilson Reading Certification and loves all things literacy-related.