FEATURED PRESENTERS
Please check back for an updated listing of presenters. More will be added soon!
Leilani Antone
“Transforming the World through Cultural Place-Based Education”
Leilani Antone is the owner and director of Montessori Camps Hawaiʻi. A community program that supports families, keiki, and adult learners through hosting training, workshops, and consulting with home and licensed daycare and preschools. She is an Educational Specialist with the Executive Office on Early Learning supporting the State Public Pre-K programs, and is an Adjunct Professor at Chaminade University of Honolulu.
Leilani holds a Bachelorʻs degree in Early Childhood Education, a Masterʻs in the Art of Teaching with a focus in PreKindergarten to Kindergarten ages with a state licensure, and a Montessori primary teacherʻs credentials from American Montessori Society (AMS). In her free time, Leilani enjoys spending time with her ʻohana by participating in opportunities to support her community through volunteering with various organizations that promote awareness of indigenous culture.
Dr. Evan Beachy
Kamehameha Schools, Senior Education Consultant
“Place, Space, Identity, and Preparation” / “Connecting Culture, Data, and Leadership: The Kamaehu Experiment”
Dr. Evan Reppun Beachy is the Senior Education Consultant for Kamehameha Schools who has thirty years of experience in education as a teacher, school leader, founder, board member, consultant, and pot-stirrer. Evan grew up in Kahaluʻu, Oʻahu and has worked at home, on the continent, and abroad in educational institutions across the entire P20 spectrum.
Dr. Tye Deal
Kamehameha Schools, Senior Instructional Designer
“Beyond the Tool: Building AI Literacy to Transform Learning”
Dr. Tye Deal is Senior Instructional Designer who specializes in creating technology‑enhanced, AI‑supported learning experiences grounded in Hawaiian culture-based education strategies and competency‑based design. With a focus on learning systems impact and authentic application, Tye supports teams in the development and implementation of professional learning courses and coaching models that empower kumu to explore, personalize, and implement innovative instructional strategies.
Kaʻiwi Hāmākua-Mākuʻe
Kamehameha Schools, Senior Instructional Designer at Holomoana & Native Hawaiian Educator
“E Holomoana Kākou”
Kaʻiwi Hāmākua‑Mākuʻe is a Senior Instructional Designer at Holomoana and a Native Hawaiian educator based in Hawaiʻi. A crewmember in the Hawaiian voyaging community, Kaiwi bridges culture, learning, and emerging technology to support organizations and communities through human‑centered, values‑driven innovation.
Keliʻi Kotubetey
Paepae o Heʻeia
“Cultivating Ea: A Living Partnership at Paepae o Heʻeia”
Keli’i, a native of Kailua, O`ahu is currently the ‘Āina Momona or CBED Coordinator. As such this former educator and fiscal manager of the organization is now responsible for bringing awareness of the fishpond to the community while also leading the production and sale of He’eia fish and limu. Keli’i is a 1996 graduate of Kamehameha Schools who received a BA in Economics from Whitman College and a Masters in Business Administration from the University of Hawai’i.
Jacqueline Kroupa
Purple Maiʻa, Lead Creative Technologist
“Weaving a Kula: Place-based Pathways to Piko, Passion, and Purpose”
Jacqueline lives on Oʻahu and considers herself one lucky mama raising a wonderful kid. With a background in media, tech, and design, she has worked with Purple Maiʻa since 2020. As part of the Kula Team, she is helping to build pathways for innovation in service of land and people, and to create opportunities for keiki and ʻōpio to discover their piko, passion, and purpose.
Cerina Livaudais & haumāna
Purple Maiʻa, Lead Education Technologist
“A.I. Pono – Feeding our Futures with Intention”
Cerina Livaudais is an education leader and mama of two, specializing in technology education and community-centered teaching. As Lead Education Technologist at Purple Maiʻa, she designs empowering learning opportunities for school leaders and students across Hawaiʻi to explore the intersections of ancestral and emerging tech, and see themselves as not only technology consumers, but technology creators and builders.
Burt Lum & KSK Kaʻāmauloa haumāna
Bytemarks Cafe
“Aʻo AI: Student Voices on the Future of Learning”
The haumāna of Kaʻāmauloa are emerging ‘ōiwi leaders trained in Hawaiian Culture-based Education and global servant leadership. Bridging the 1,000-year-old sustainability practices of He Nohona ‘Ae ‘oia with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, they serve as catalysts for change across ka pae ‘āina and Moananuiākea. Grounded in their identity, these students are dedicated to using indigenous worldviews to advocate for the planet and lead their communities into the future.
Kalei McDonnell & KSK Kula Waena haumāna
Kamehameha Schools, Kapālama
“Cultivating Ea: A Living Partnership at Paepae o Heʻeia”
Kalei McDonnell has experience in the management of initiatives that advance individuals and communities in Hawai‘i. She is a strong proponent of education at all levels, previously managing scholarship programs for college and university students, and currently teaching 8th Grade English at Kamehameha Schools Kapālama. Kalei is a lifelong resident of Windward O‘ahu. She graduated from Kamehameha Schools; earned a bachelor’s degree in international relations from the University of Southern California; and received a master’s in business administration from the Executive MBA program at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa.
Edmond Mak
Kamehameha Schools, Kapālama
“Wayfinding Learning Stations: An Interactive Exploration through Holomoana” / “E Holomoana Kākou”
Edmond Mak has 25 years in Educational Technology, evolving from hands‑on creator to a supportive leader of an instructional design team. With experience in design, audio, and video, he now focuses on empowering his team to create engaging, thoughtful learning experiences. He continues to explore ʻĀina-based learning and traditional wayfinding, which shape his approach to design and leadership.
Amanda Nelson
DOE Office of Curriculum and Instructional Design – ʻEnehana Magazine
“Connecting with ʻEnehana (Technology): Aligning Place and Community with AI”
Amanda Nelson is the Advanced Technology Specialist at the HIDOE Office of Curriculum and Instructional Design. Her work focuses on building advanced technology pilots and projects that support educators and students throughout the state. This includes her work as the editor of the digital technology magazine, ʻEnehana (bit.ly/enehana). She is interested in understanding how technology can support inclusive, place-based, and culturally relevant learning opportunities for students, specifically in Kaiapuni contexts. Amanda has been focused on integrating technology in her various roles working for the HIDOE since 2015.
Jamie Nunez
Common Sense Media, Manager of Outreach and Training
“Reducing Digital Friction: Helping Tech Feel Lighter for Haumāna” / “How to Talk to ʻOhana About AI: 3 Practical Tips for Teachers”
Jamie is the Senior Manager of Outreach and Training at Common Sense Media where he supports school districts and state education agencies in integrating practical digital literacy skills into classrooms. With over 20 years of experience as a high school civics and economics teacher, vice principal, and education nonprofit executive, he has deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities technology presents for students and families.
A frequent consultant, speaker, and contributor on education technology issues, Jamie leads professional learning for K-12 and international educators. Jamie is passionate about simplifying technology and addressing digital distractions to help schools create more engaged learning environments. When not working, Jamie can be found in the ocean, where he teaches his daughter how to enjoy cold water swimming.
Keʻalohi Reppun
Punahou School, Director of Kuaihelani Learning Center
“Place, Space, Identity, and Preparation”
Keʻalohi M. Reppun, a native of Waiāhole, O‘ahu, serves as the director of Kuaihelani Learning Center for ‘Ike Hawai‘i at Punahou School. She co-founded Kauluwao, Inc., a nonprofit dedicated to Hawaiian cultural education. A Punahou alumna, she holds degrees from UH Hilo’s Ka Haka ‘Ula o Ke‘elikōlani and UH Mānoa’s College of Education. Her work focuses on revitalizing Hawaiian language and culture through education.
Mike Sarmiento
Purple Maiʻa, VP of Educational Design
“A.I. Pono – Feeding our Futures with Intention”
Mike Sarmiento is a husband, father of five, and lifelong advocate for community-driven education across Hawaiʻi. His journey spans private, public and charter schools where he has served as a teacher, curriculum designer, coach and leader. He now serves as Vice President of Educational Design at Purple Maiʻa Foundation. In this role he leads innovative, culturally-grounded programs that elevate and amplify ʻike Hawaiʻi through Indigenous innovation and emerging technologies.
Dr. John Spencer
Spencer Education, Educator & Author
“Fostering Curiosity in a Distracted World” / “Student Agency & Self‑Directed Learning” / “Getting Started with Deeper Learning”
Victoria Thompson
Educational Strategist & Technologist
“Standing Up and Standing Out: Engaging in Education Advocacy” / “Let Them Drive!”: Handing Students the Career GPS / “Put the Oxygen Mask on First: Designing Systems That Sustain Educators”
Victoria Thompson, M.S. is an educational strategist and technologist based out of Winter Garden, FL. She works alongside school leadership and technology professionals to bring viable strategy and business solutions to the forefront. In 2023 she won the title of one of the Top 10 Most Visionary Leaders in Education by CIO Look Magazine. Additionally, she was recently awarded the title of one of the top 30 K-12 IT influencers in 2021 by EdTech Magazine and one of the ISTE Top 20 to Watch in 2023. She is also the author of Elevate Equity in EdTech, an instructional book about bringing equitable solutions to K-12 environments via technology.
Mitch Weathers
Organized Binder, Inc., Educator & Author
“Executive Functions for Every Classroom: Creating Safe and Predictable Learning Environments”
Mitch Weathers is an educator, author, and nationally and internationally recognized voice on executive functions in the classroom. Mitch is best known for translating brain science into practical strategies that hold up in real classrooms. His work focuses on helping students strengthen skills such as organization, task initiation, self-regulation, and follow-through without adding to teachers’ plates.
Through his writing, speaking, and consulting, Mitch challenges us to rethink why students struggle and how intentional systems and structures can unlock their potential. Mitch’s ideas give educators with a shared language, concrete tools, and a renewed lens for supporting our students. In a world where we must embrace technology, analog interaction and the hands-on practice of building resiliency are more important than ever. Thus, Mitch’s work with executive functioning is vitally important—far more important than mere content or scope and sequence. Studentness, the habits and practices of being a student, is more vital than ever in today’s educational landscape and Mitch is among those leading the charge.
Dr. Toby Yos & 6-12 Grade Haumāna
University of Hawaii Uehiro Academy for Philosophy and Ethics in Education,
Director of Outreach and a p4cHI Specialist
“Aloha and Resilience Considered: Student Stories on Connection, p4c Hawai‘i, and the Impact of Taking the Time to Care”
“Thinking Well Together: The p4c Hawai‘i Approach to Cultivating Aloha-Laden Communities and Meaningful Conversation”
Dr. Toby Yos has spent 35 years facilitating p4cHI discussions in K-12 and University classrooms and 20 years doing Resilience Theory based counseling in Hawai‘i’s public schools. He is the Director of Outreach and a p4cHI specialist with the University of Hawai‘i Uehiro Academy for Philosophy and Ethics in Education (home of p4cHI). Toby is joined by Grade 7-12 students who have been practicing p4cHI for multiple years and have given dozens of p4cHI demonstrations and conference presentations.