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SOCIAL MEDIA CHAT
Equity and Education

Laconti Shantell Bryant, ​Shanelle Reid Benson, and ​Tara Kirton ​
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PANEL MEMBER
Dr. Laconti Shantell Bryant @LaContiBryant

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Dr. LaConti Bryant earned an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership from Liberty University in 2017.  Her research is specifically focused on the areas of instructional coaching/mentoring, collaboration, job-embedded professional development, and equity.  Dr. Bryant has worked with teachers and administrators with creating professional learning communities that are conducive to positive results in student achievement and teacher development.   Dr. Bryant taught STEM English Language Arts and Math teacher in the Dallas/Fort Worth area.  Dr. Bryant was a teacher and mentor teacher in Colorado Springs School District 11.  She has a passion for providing an equitable education for students in underserved communities. Currently, Dr. Bryant is an avid traveler.  Her motto is, "The World is My Classroom." Prior to entering public education, Dr. Bryant served in the United States Army as a paralegal for 5 years stationed at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, Bamberg, Germany, and Fort Hood, Texas. 

PANEL MEMBER
Dr. Shanelle Reid Benson @ACCESSACandC
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Dr. Shanelle R. Reid Benson is the Founder and Owner of ACCESS Academic Coaching and Consulting. Dr. Reid earned a B.A. in Sociology from California State University, San Bernardino. She also completed her M.A. and Teaching Certification at California State University, San Bernardino. She earned her Doctorate from the University of La Verne, in Laverne, California. Her doctoral work focused on the historical roles of African American Educators as counselors, disciplinarians, advocates, role models, and surrogate parents; and how these roles significantly contributed to student empowerment and success. Dr. Reid is certified to teach in the states of California and New York and she has over 15 years of special and regular education coordinating, supervising, mentoring, and teaching experience at the Pre K, K-12, and graduate levels in the public, private, reformatory, and non-profit settings: in urban, suburban, and rural communities.

PANEL MEMBER
Tara Kirton @TaraRKirton

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Tara Kirton is a preschool teacher and she is in the 2nd year of a doctoral program studying Curriculum and Teaching with a specialization in Early Childhood Education at Teachers College, Columbia University. Tara is also an adjunct instructor and consultant at Bank Street College of Education. She has consulted in public schools and PreK Centers facilitating professional learning opportunities on a variety of topics. Her teaching and research interests examine how teacher preparation programs interrogate race, racism, and equity with preservice teachers, particularly early childhood educators. Additional research interests include special education and the endless possibilities that exist when schools develop strong partnerships with families. Tara is on the Graduate Student Executive Board for the American Educational Research Association’s Division K (Teaching & Teacher Education). You can follow her on Twitter
@TaraRKirton