Keynote Speakers
Jody Nolf
My name is Jody Nolf and I am a former public school educator.
I have a degree in English, certification in reading and ESOL, and
a master’s degree in leadership and administration. For over
twenty years, I taught English and intensive reading to middle and
high school students in Palm Beach County, FL, the 10th largest
school district in the country. For six years following my classroom
experience, I served as a full-time ESOL coordinator (as it is called
in FL) and advocate for multilingual learners. In 2020, I was named
a Champion of Equity by the American Consortium for Equity in
Education.
In June of 2022, I began a new career at Vista Higher Learning as the
Florida Literacy and Language Sales Specialist, and in October of that
year, I became the Literacy Engagement Specialist for the East Coast.
This new career allows me to continue to share my passion for literacy
and advocate for multilingual learners, while training educators with
our products and delivering professional development to schools and
districts all along the East Coast of the United States.
Fabiana Parker
Fabiana Parker is an experienced English as a Second Language (ESL)
educator who teaches students in grades nine through twelve in Manassas,
Virginia. Having grown up as an English-language-learner herself, she
understands the challenges and triumphs that come with learning a new
language. Her passion for education began during her childhood when she
taught her grandmother to read.
Mrs. Parker's educational journey spans across vast geographical regions.
She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Modern Foreign Language and
Education from King's College London in 2001 and her Master of Arts
degree in Education, Curriculum, and Instruction from Boise State University
in 2005. She has also completed coursework at various universities, including the University of Virginia, The University of Phoenix, University of Granada,
and Oxford and Cambridge Universities.
As a global-minded educator, Mrs. Parker is committed to civic and
community involvement. In 2015, she received a Congressional Record for serving the adult literacy needs of the Northern Virginia community. In 2021,
she was recognized by the Virginia Department of Health with a Certificate of
Appreciation for her outstanding commitment and translation services during
the Coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic response efforts. She is the 2023
Virginia Teacher of the Year and a staunch advocate for equity, diversity, and
inclusion in the classroom and beyond.
Mrs. Parker's greatest accomplishment is seeing her students achieve their
educational goals and become productive members of society. She uses her
personal and professional experiences to promote cultural diversity, build
bridges of trust, respect, and understanding across cultures.
