ABOUT AMANDA BOLON

Amanda Bolon is the Community Relations Manager for the Teach Better Team and a full time Primary Educator.

From the time she was in kindergarten, Amanda dreamed of being a teacher. She decided that Marietta College would be the place to become the educator she had dreamed of. Amanda graduated from Marietta College in 2012 with a Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education, Reading Endorsement, and Teacher Leadership Certificate.

Amanda spent her first four years teaching in a Kindergarten classroom. After a switch to second grade, Amanda realized that she wanted to be better for her students and colleagues. Amanda connected with the Teach Better Team and began implementing The Grid Method in her classroom. Four years later, Amanda's classroom has been transformed into a student-centered, self-paced learning environment.

Through her position as Community Relations Manager for the Teach Better Team, Amanda has been fortunate to help champion those in education for all that they do to be better every single day. She has also presented at Teach Better Conference 2019, as well as school districts, on her success with The Grid Method in a primary classroom.

ABOUT RAE HUGHART

Rae Hughart is the CXO for the Teach Better Team, Executive Director of the Association of Illinois Middle-Grade Schools, TEDx Speaker, Educator, and author of “Teachers Deserve It” and “Teach Better” books.

Growing up with IEP support after being diagnosed SLD in Reading, Writing, and Math, Rae has worked with other educators and districts on designing mastery learning classrooms nationwide to reach all learners.

Rae continues to facilitate rich discussions with educators around mastering personalized learning, providing targeted student-focused feedback, and the impact of incorporating purpose into student daily learning. Through building partnerships with local businesses, Rae continues to support educators in designing dynamic, impactful, effective, and connected content - showing the impact of teaching beyond the four walls of a classroom and altering a community into an authentic resource for developing leaders.

After being inducted into The Illinois State University Hall of Fame in 2017, Rae was awarded the 2018 First Place Henry Ford Teacher Innovator Award for her innovative educational impact through the Teach Further Model. In 2021, Rae Hughart presented on the TEDx stage challenging educators, students, and community members to consider progressive, data supported practices to further 21st century learners.

TEDx Talk: TeachBetter.com/TEDxRaeHughart