About the Presenters

Jamilah Pitts (pronounced Ja-MY-lah) is an educator, social entrepreneur, writer, and yoga teacher whose work centers the liberation, healing, and holistic development of communities of color. Jamilah has worked and served in various roles to promote racial justice and healing. She has served as a teacher, coach, dean, and assistant principal. As the Founder and CEO of Jamilah Pitts Consulting, Jamilah partners with schools, communities, and organizations to advance the work of social and intersectional justice through an emphasis on wellness and educator training.

Jamilah holds degrees from Spelman College and Boston College, and has pursued additional graduate studies at Teachers College, Columbia University. She is a Woodrow Wilson National Teaching Fellow, a Donovan Urban Teaching Scholar, a Fund for Teachers Fellow, and served on the Learning for Justice Advisory Board. Her first book, Toward Liberation: Educational Practices Rooted in Activism, Healing and Love, will be released November 2023.

Marcus Johnson was born in Jackson, Mississippi. He is a product of Jackson Public Schools, where he received an IB Diploma from Jim Hill World IB High School. Marcus received his bachelor’s degree in history from Mississippi College in 2006, and his master’s degree in educational leadership and administration from Grand Canyon University in 2016. Marcus has been working in education for 18 years in several capacities including classroom teacher, coordinator for talented and gifted services, interventionist, regional academic coach, assistant principal, and principal. This year, Marcus currently serves as the Fifth- and Sixth-Grade Assistant Principal and Humanities Lead at Rainier Prep Middle School in the greater Seattle Area.

Emily Hemmingson is a functional health coach and burnout prevention expert who has dedicated her career to supporting educator well-being. With a background as a classroom teacher, Emily is no stranger to the demands of teaching and the cost of burnout. Today, she has spoken and given workshops to education groups and school districts across the United States, and has coached teachers and administrators, both nationally and internationally, all with one goal in mind: giving you tools to stay energized and well in the career you’ve dedicated so much of your time and heart to. She walks her work-life balance talk by always reserving time to sing songs with her trusty ukulele, or to play pickleball with members of her loving community.

Emily is a certified functional health coach through The Institute for Integrative Nutrition, was a founding staff member of Rocky Mountain Prep Schools, and a DC Teaching Fellow in DC Public Schools, and holds a degree in psychology from The College of William and Mary.

You can book a free workshop with her to support teacher mental health and reduce staff stress, anxiety, and fatigue: https://forms.gle/uCGXoNMUdSAssoSCA

Toni Rose Deanon (they/them) is a former English and ESL educator with 10 years of experience teaching in Atlanta, Baltimore City, and DC. They were also an instructional coach in Redmond and currently facilitate professional development for educators all over the world. They will forever identify as an educator and a lifetime learner. Toni Rose strives to be the educator that they never had growing up, so they focus on anti-bias, anti-racist work and want to create a brave space for everyone around them. As a queer Filipino, they understand just how important it is to be represented, be valued, and belong. They especially love being a thought partner for and celebrating educators.