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Anita Melendez enjoys her role as an educator from the perspective of a second career. Anita earned her BFA in Graphic Design and worked as an art director in California. Ms. Melendez moved to Las Vegas in 2007, and soon thereafter, became a candidate in the ARL program where she earned her Masters in Education in Special Education. Currently, Ms. Melendez teaches secondary English to 11th and 12th graders in a resource classroom. In addition to English , Anita has acted as an Academy teacher for Communities in Schools.

Dr. Cindy Bezard is an educator at Basic Academy of International Studies - the first MYP, DP, and CP institute in the Clark County School District. She is currently teaching the IBCP Personal and Professional Skills course as well as the CTE Teaching and Training Program of Study. She earned her Ph.D. from UNLV in the area of Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis on Career & Technical and Postsecondary Education. She has taught face-to-face and online at both UNLV and Nevada State College for the last four years. She has traveled to many professional conferences across the nation to present on the topic of her dissertation – Developing Multicultural Self-awareness Through a Transformative Learning Experience. Dr. Bezard is currently a reviewer for the Journal of Research in Technical Careers .

Emily Latham is starting her 20th year in the Clark County School District. She received her Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction with a minor in a Teacher Leadership. In Clark County School District, Emily has had the opportunity to teach Kindergarten, 2nd, 4th and 5th grade. In addition, she have worked as a Learning Strategist, Instructional Coach and a Read By Grade 3 Strategist. Emily loves to present professional development and help teachers in any way she can. If she is not working, then you can find Emily in her pool or reading a new book!

Sara Ackeret is an elementary school teacher for Clark County School District. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Saint Louis University and her Master’s degree in Early Childhood Special Education from UNLV. Sara has worked as a school Strategist, kindergarten, 2 nd , and 5 th grade teacher. In addition to teaching in the classroom, Sara has been teaching both child and adult yoga and mindfulness classes for over 10 years.

Tiffany Valencia attended school Clark County School District since the fourth grade, and she graduated from Cimarron Memorial High School. She received her Bachelor’s degree and Master’s degree from University of Nevada, Las Vegas. She also recently earned her National Board Certification in Social Studies. Tiffany has worked as at Southwest Behavior Program with Dr. Suzuki for 13 years and is currently working at Peterson Academic Center teaching social studies.