Named by EdTechMagazine as a top 30 K-12 IT Influencer to Follow, Dee is the Lead Learning Education Designer at Lanier Learning, LLC and is an Education Coach for Samsung. Dee is dedicated to co-designing equitable learning experiences for school leaders, staff, and students. Lanier Learning also partners with non-profit and for-profit corporations that are committed to community good.
Dee is the author of Demarginalizing Design and a passionate and energetic educator and learner with over two decades of instructional experience on the K-12 and collegiate levels. Dee holds Undergraduate and Master’s degrees in Sociology with special interests in education, race relations, and equity. Dee is an award-winning presenter, TEDx Speaker, Google Certified Trainer, Google Innovator, and Google Certified Coach that specializes in creative applications for mobile devices and Chromebooks, low-cost makerspaces, and gamified learning experiences. Dee is a founding mentor and architect for the Google Coaching program pilot, Dynamic Learning Project, and a co-founder of Our Voice Academy, a program aimed at empowering educators of color to gain greater visible leadership and recognized expertise. Dee is also the creator of the design thinking educational activities called, Solve in Time!® and Maker Kitchen™️ and co-host of the Liberated Educator podcast. Dee practices self-care by reading, playing percussion, and roasting, brewing, and drinking coffee.
Keynote Speaker
🎤👨🏾🎓 Lessons Learned From My Hip Hop Heroes
and what they can teach us all about culturally responsive education.
AKA, parasailing past the pitfalls of poor pedagogical practices
🧠💡Demarginalizing Design
Demarginalizing Design- by centering on Equity, Empathy, and Creativity in Problem-Solving.
Based on the top-selling book by the same title, this is an interactive session that aims to demystify equity work and provide perspective for educators to solve real-world problems with the most marginalized in their midst as co-designers for a better future.
Recommended Devices: Mobile or Laptop
Workshop Facilitator
⏰▶️ Solve in Time!
Solve in Time!® is a gamified design thinking activity. The goal is to creatively explain a solution to a relevant, real-world problem within a set time limit. Up to six teams of 2-4 people can play using a single deck and can be facilitated live or virtually, low-tech or high-tech. Pick the problem, let's solve it!
The following are specialized workshops and coaching opportunities based on Solve in Time! expansion packs-
🟥 Empathy Edition: Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) and how it affects us on the individual, social, institutional level. Designed for learners ages 7+.
In this session, we will utilize the protocols of Solve in Time! to solve problems related to Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) and how it affects us on the individual, social, and institutional level. Solve in Time!® is a problem-based learning & design thinking activity. The goal is to creatively explain a solution to a relevant, real-world problem within a set time limit. Pick the problem, let’s #SolveiT!
Problems to Solve using Empathy Edition Include:
Negative Feelings- ideal for younger learners and teachers, grades K-2.
Classroom Challenges- ideal for classroom teachers and instructional coaches of all grade levels. Also helpful for students in co-creating class expectations and norms.
Character Flaws- ideal for administration, school counselors, and character ed for all grade levels.
Social Impact- ideal for GATE, Global Issues, and Global-Impact focused content support grades 6-12.
⬛ Equity Edition: Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI). Designed for learners ages 12+.
In this session, we will utilize the protocols of Solve in Time! to solve problems related to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI). Solve in Time!® is a problem-based learning & design thinking activity. The goal is to creatively explain a solution to a relevant, real-world problem within a set time limit. Pick the problem, let’s #SolveiT!
See more at solveintime.com/equity.
Problems to Solve using Equity Edition Include:
Bias- ideal for secondary students, adult decision-makers, and teachers in all content-areas. Long-term anti-bias coaching recommended.
Discrimination- ideal for social studies and social justice focused content support grades 6-12.
Racism- ideal for secondary students, adult decision-makers, and teachers in all content-areas. Long-term anti-racism coaching recommended.
Civil Rights- ideal for social studies, and Global-Impact focused content support grades 6-12.
🟦 Global Goals Edition (SDGs):
In this session, we will utilize the protocols of Solve in Time! to solve problems related to the UN Global Goals. Solve in Time!® is a problem-based learning & design thinking activity. The goal is to creatively explain a solution to a relevant, real-world problem within a set time limit.
Housing is related to Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
Criminal justice is related to Goal 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
Education is related to Goal 4: Quality Education
Pollution is related to Goal 13: Climate Action
Poverty is related to Goal 1: No Poverty
Sickness & disease is related to Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being
Recommended Devices: Laptop or Mobile
Beginner to Advanced session
⏱️✂️🍽️ #MakerKitchen
Think you have what it takes to create an awesome project with just 40 minutes and a bag full of goodies? Start with imagination, fearlessness, and teamwork; bring to a boil, stirring occasionally. Add critical thinking with research and communication; simmer until innovation is cooked through, about 40 minutes. Add reflection and admiration until tender, about 10 minutes. This session is an equity activity and extension of the #DemarginalizingDesign concept.
Beginner session
Recommended Devices: Mobile optional
🛄❤️ Teaching SEL and Empathy Through Virtual Field Trips
Ready to take your students across the globe? Or how about empower your kids to take you back in time and share amazing historical information about your local city? In this session, we will explore a dozen or so possibilities, including VR experiences that can radically transform your teaching and learning.
Suggested apps to download in advance- YouTube, Google Street View, Google Photos, Google Cardboard, Google Arts and Culture.
Beginner to Intermediate session
Recommended Devices: Android or iOS mobile devices
🤔🌍 Think Open! Assessing Technology using the 4Cs
Schools and districts often make tech purchasing decisions based on the ability of the technology to meet a few predetermined goals and its overall cost. However, it's important that we level up the conversation by interrogating technology through the Think Open 4Cs: Capability, Cost-Efficiency, Cross-platform, and Collaboration. In this session, we will further investigate these 4Cs and co-create a technology purchasing plan that focuses on the needs of students and prioritize equipping them with the skills and resources to become agents of change in a global context while still maintaining our already established goals.
Beginner session
🎩🎴 Presentation Magic Tricks
We all know that magic isn't real, just sleight of hand. Nonetheless, seeing is believing when the once-thought impossible is made possible before our very eyes. Attend this session to not only be amazed, but to see many advanced Google Slides tricks revealed! Utilize these tips and tricks to enhance your digital learning experience, whether in-person, remote, or hybrid!
Intermediate session
Recommended Devices: Laptop
🖥️ 🤔 What Can't Chromebooks Do?
Chromebooks have soared to the top as the device of choice for schools throughout the US. Is it because of the inexpensive price-tag, the choice of hardware, the seamless integration with Google Workspace, superior battery life? What more do Chromebooks have to offer? A whole lot, and they keep improving! Come to this session to learn the ins and outs of your Chromebook device for yourself and your students. We will dispel many myths and conflicting statements about their limitations, and get you even more excited about the possibilities of a Chromified Classroom.
Beginner to Intermediate session
Recommended Devices: Chromebook
📱 📷 🤳 Digital Storytelling- every picture tells a story
In this session we learn professional photography tips in order to maximize the use of that digital camera in your pocket- your mobile phone. These tips for photo taking and editing are also great for tablets as well. Want to democratize your yearbook or social media with your students, or just want to make sure your personal photos are taken well and taken care of in the cloud? No matter what your motive, you will leave this hands on session with the tools to create amazing and inspiring photos for the world to see. This session is an equity activity and extension of the #DemarginalizingDesign concept.
Suggested apps to download in advance- Google Photos and Snapseed.
Beginner to Intermediate session
Recommended Devices: Android or iOS mobile devices
Experience Designer
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Book: Demarginalizing Design
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Activity: Solve in Time!
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Podcast: The Liberated Educator