Tricia George is an informal educator working at the intersection of youth, technology, and community. For the last ten years, she’s helped young people find and pursue their dreams at summer camp, after school programs, and libraries. As Teen Services Director at Hartford Public Library, Tricia manages education and economic opportunities for young adults across six branches and through several partnerships. On an average Saturday afternoon, she’s biking through Hartford, reading a book, and eating chocolate ice cream all at the same time.

Mike Kaltschnee is a Danbury entrepreneur and co-founder of the Danbury Hackerspace. He’s launched several successful Connecticut startups, is currently CEO of Briki Media (publishing startup) and has been in technology for 30 years. He’s a father of 2, husband for 25 years, and sits on several local boards.

J.R. is Chief Maker at MakeHaven, a community makerspace which educates and empowers people by facilitating independent interest-driven projects, hands-on experiences and access to technology.

After being a classroom teacher for 12 years, I am currently working as a teacher librarian at Bristow Middle School in West Hartford, Connecticut. Previous experience includes working at the Renzulli Academy in Hartford, Connecticut teaching 4th, 5th, and 6th grade Social Studies and 6th grade SEM-R (Schoolwide Enrichment for Reading). Before moving to Hartford in 2009, I taught 5th grade in Phoenix for six years. I have a passion for many areas including reading, books, authors, geography, history, research, and technology to name a few. I am proud to share that in 2015, I was awarded the National Geographic Distinguished Teacher of Geography Award; in the spring of 2014, I was recognized as the Connecticut Council of Social Studies’ K-8 Teacher of the Year; and in the fall of 2014 I was awarded the Laura Knott-Pine Award for Education by the Hartford Preservation Alliance.

For many years, I have facilitated National History Day, as well as the National Geography Bee on a school level. I have presented at the 2013 National Association for Gifted Children conference, The 2014 Arizona Gifted Association Conference, and the Connecticut Educator Computer Association’s 2013 conference about how to use technology, specifically Edmodo, to individualize and differentiate instruction for advanced learners. In addition, I am a strand coordinator at Confratute. Topics of my presentations include: Implementing the Schoolwide Enrichment Model for Library Media Specialists, Makerspaces, Project-Based Learning and Technology in the Middle Grades, Using Edmodo to Individualize Student Learning, National History Day, and Online Mapping Tools.

My educational experiences include completing both an undergraduate and graduate degree in Elementary Education. In addition, I have completed the Three Summers Program at UCONN earning a Master’s degree in Gifted Education and Talent Development. Most recently, I completed the Library Media Specialist certification program through ACES.

During the summer of 2014, I attended the T3G Institute in Redlands, CA where I learned more about ConnectEd, ESRI and GIS (Geographic Information Systems). I also had the opportunity to take a week-long course with Penny Kittle, author of “Booklove,” at the University of New Hampshire in June 2014. I served on the 2017 Intermediate Connecticut Nutmeg Selection Committee (the state book award).