| Indiana Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages |
2026 Keynote Speaker
Dr. Socorro Herrera Dr. Herrera is a professor in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction, College of Education at Kansas State University and serves as Executive Director of the Center for Intercultural and Multilingual Advocacy (CIMA). She is certified in elementary education, bilingual education, and school counseling. As an international keynote speaker, district consultant, and trainer of trainers, she has collaborated with teachers across the country and world to chart new paths to academic success for culturally and linguistically diverse learners. Her research centers the role of personal histories of learner, family, and teacher in literacy development and biography-driven pedagogy; reading strategies; and teacher preparation for diverse classrooms. Dr. Herrera has authored twelve textbooks and numerous book chapters and articles in journals such as Bilingual Research Journal, Journal of Hispanic Higher Education, Journal of Curriculum and Instruction, Journal of Education for Multilingualism, International Journal of Multicultural Education, Teacher Education Quarterly, and Urban Education. |
Dr. Chris Culver Dr. Culver is a highly sought-after, dynamic, and engaging thought leader, keynote speaker, and author of Be the Light. As the proud founder of Orange Sparrow, he helps organizations, leaders, and teams transform through The Science of Kindness. His energetic keynotes and workshops merge vulnerability, neuroscience, leadership, and humanity to create spaces where people feel seen, valued, and inspired to thrive. A proud product of Oklahoma public education, Dr. Culver’s story began between Tulsa, a 300-acre farm in Wyandotte, and Fayetteville, North Carolina, an upbringing that taught him the power of perspective, empathy, and grit. For more than a decade, he served educational communities as a classroom teacher, secondary principal, and cabinet-level administrator. Today, he brings that same servant-leader mindset to all corners of the globe, guiding spaces to reimagine success through belonging, compassion, and connection. Dr. Culver is a member of the Board of Directors for the Virtue Center focused on holistic healing and recovery, former Vice President of Oklahoma Citizens for Education, and the former President of the Oklahoma Association for Bilingual Education. As an adjunct professor, Chris teaches future teachers and leaders how to cultivate trust, autonomy, and purpose through kindness. He believes that If you cannot find the light, be the light because kindness is not one more thing. It is the thing that changes everything. |
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Dr. Jeannette Long
Dr. Long is an Academic Officer at Teacher Created Materials, joining the organization after a distinguished tenure with The School District of Osceola County in Central Florida. With 18 years as a teacher, 6 years as a school administrator, and 2 years as a district administrator, she brings a wealth of experience.
Drawing from her background as an English language learner—as well as her diverse experience across elementary, middle, high school, and post-secondary levels—Dr. Long has gained deep insights into effective teaching approaches and learning strategies for all students. In her previous role as the coordinator for the Multicultural Education Department, Dr. Long actively contributed to various educational initiatives and innovative projects focused on multilingual learners in her district, ensuring that effective education remains inclusive for everyone. Her past responsibilities included developing and delivering professional learning sessions on ESL strategies, providing coaching and mentorship to teachers, and identifying trends through data analysis.
Dr. Long earned a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from the University of Central Florida, a master’s degree in Integration of Technology into the Classroom from Walden University, a master’s degree in Educational Leadership from the American College of Education, and a doctorate in Post-Secondary and Adult Education from Capella University. Her notable achievements include being honored as Teacher of the Year and Minority Teacher of the Year.
