Semann & Slattery | Inspire Conference 2025 | Challenge, advocate, resist with Semann & Slattery

Inspire Conference 2025

An Uprising! Challenge, Advocate, Resist

Together, we began to pave the way for a more inclusive path forward for education, where boundaries were pushed and new opportunities realised.

We challenge you all to become a change maker in 2025.

Gathering the best and brightest minds in education

Inspire 2025 brought together some of the brightest minds in education for a truly memorable event. From powerful keynote lectures and joyful workshops to our always-popular dinner event, it was a chance to learn, connect, and grow.

Watch our highlights video and soak up the energy, ideas and inspiration that made Inspire 2025 so special.

Keynote Speakers

The top minds in education came together at Inspire 2025, provoking thought and pushing boundaries.

Dr Angela Molloy Murphy
AUS
Angela Molloy Murphy, Ed.D., was an early childhood educator of 25 years when she joined the University of Melbourne as an Early Childhood Lecturer. A scholar-in-residence at SWISP lab, (Speculative Wanderings with Space and Place), Angela is among a community of interdisciplinary activist practitioners composing reparative futures in the midst of climate collapse.

Angela believes that children are the most brilliant and daring co-researchers the world has to offer. She argues that at this moment of widespread oppression and environmental degradation, we need stories that exhibit our radical relationalities, inspire audacious resistance, and imagine creative possibilities for relating ‘otherwise’.

Angela can be found communing with trees and spirits in the ancient forests of the Multnomah, Tumwater, Clackamas, and Chinook peoples of the U.S. Pacific Northwest. She proposes that there she is among a legion of multispecies allies who will walk, crawl, and fly alongside us in the global uprising for just and collective futures.

Read More
Jane Vadiveloo
AUS
Jane Vadiveloo stands as a prominent leader in the pursuit of equality and justice, particularly in her extensive work with First Nations communities. With a master’s degree in forensic psychology, Jane began her career in the Victorian prison system before co-founding Caraniche, a forensic and psychology company dedicated to psychological and behavioural health.

Living and working with First Nations communities in the Northern Territory for over thirty years, caused a transformative turn in her journey. Here, Jane pioneered strength and justice-based approaches aimed at achieving systemic and long-term change. In 2000, alongside the Arrernte people in Central Australia, she co-founded Akeyulerre, one of the first organisations in Australia rooted in First Nations knowledge systems focused on cultural, social, and emotional wellbeing, as well as traditional healing and health.

Working with and guided by the wisdom of Elders and community leaders, Jane co-founded Children’s Ground, a groundbreaking systems change organisation that privileges First Nations knowledge and practices. This 25-year initiative is led by communities possessing vision and solutions but facing oppression through structural racism and social, cultural, and economic injustice. Children’s Ground is dedicated to ensuring that future generations of First Nations children can enjoy freedom, opportunity, and the right to determine their future, encompassing economic, political, social, and cultural wellbeing.

Jane’s expertise and dedication have also seen her consult for Virgin Unite, the Northern Territory and Federal Governments, and various Aboriginal organisations in the Northern Territory. Her impact was recognised in 2014 when she was named one of the Westpac Australian Financial Review 100 Women of Influence. Under her leadership, Children’s Ground was honoured with the Outstanding Achievement in Innovation award at the NT Education and Care Awards in 2021.

Jane Vadiveloo's work is a testament to her unwavering commitment to justice, systemic change, and the empowerment of First Nations communities.

Read More
Dr. Ben Mardell
USA
Ben Mardell is not just an educator; he is a visionary who has dedicated his life to unlocking the limitless potential of young minds. With an illustrious career spanning four decades, he has been at the forefront of innovative educational practices that inspire both teachers and students alike.

Nowadays, you'll find him inspiring young minds as the atelierista at Newtowne School and collaborating on exciting projects as a research affiliate at Longlong Kindergarten at the MIT Media Lab. Ben's journey has taken him from teaching infants and toddlers to preschoolers and kindergarteners. He's also delved into research as a principal investigator at Harvard Project Zero and shaped future educators at Lesley University.

Ben’s research has profoundly influenced how we understand the critical early years of a child's development. His groundbreaking work on children’s play, learning, and the development of creativity has reshaped classrooms around the globe, fostering environments where curiosity, imagination, and joy are at the heart of learning. His dedication to empowering educators through professional development and relentless pursuit of excellence in education have earned him accolades and respect from peers worldwide.

Ben is a co-author of a number of publications, including Visible Learners: Promoting Reggio-Inspired Approaches in All Schools, Making Learning Visible: Children as Individual and Group Learners, Children at the Center: Transforming Early Childhoods Education in the Boston Public Schools, and A Pedagogy of Play: Supporting Playful Learning in Classrooms and Schools. He also penned From Basketball to the Beatles: In Search of Compelling Early Childhood Curriculum and Growing Up in Child Care: A Case for Quality Early Education. His latest project is Playing with the Sun (www.playingwiththesun.org).

When he's not busy with his educational adventures, Ben loves spending time with his family—hiking, playing games, or participating in triathlons.

Read More
Kelly Goodsir
AUS
Kelly brings over 20 years of early education experience gained in New Zealand and Australia.

She specialises in walking alongside educators, teachers and organisations as a pedagogical companion, strengthening the systems and approaches they adopt to deliver genuine and authentic educational programs for children. Kelly loves facilitating conversations that invite teams to unpack the ‘whys’ behind their practice, fostering a strong sense of purpose, knowledge and joy.

She believes in making meaningful connections between practice and theory over time and through slow pedagogy. Kelly's expertise has made her a sought-after speaker and professional development provider known for simplifying complexities and inspiring pedagogical courage. Widely respected for her dedication to children's and educators' rights, her creativity and commitment drive transformative change across the education and care sector.

Kelly has published several resources and books contributing to conversations related to mental health and documentation and, more recently, co-founded The Creative Collection, a new resource inviting early childhood teams to reimagine the arts in teaching and learning.

When Kelly is not knee-deep in empowering organisations ‘to think and learn,’ you will find her running, planning her next holiday, and spending time with her son Caleb.

Read More

Dr Angela Molloy Murphy

AUS

Angela Molloy Murphy, Ed.D., was an early childhood educator of 25 years when she joined the University of Melbourne as an Early Childhood Lecturer. A scholar-in-residence at SWISP lab, (Speculative Wanderings with Space and Place), Angela is among a community of interdisciplinary activist practitioners composing reparative futures in the midst of climate collapse.

Angela believes that children are the most brilliant and daring co-researchers the world has to offer. She argues that at this moment of widespread oppression and environmental degradation, we need stories that exhibit our radical relationalities, inspire audacious resistance, and imagine creative possibilities for relating ‘otherwise’.

Angela can be found communing with trees and spirits in the ancient forests of the Multnomah, Tumwater, Clackamas, and Chinook peoples of the U.S. Pacific Northwest. She proposes that there she is among a legion of multispecies allies who will walk, crawl, and fly alongside us in the global uprising for just and collective futures.

Jane Vadiveloo

AUS

Jane Vadiveloo stands as a prominent leader in the pursuit of equality and justice, particularly in her extensive work with First Nations communities. With a master’s degree in forensic psychology, Jane began her career in the Victorian prison system before co-founding Caraniche, a forensic and psychology company dedicated to psychological and behavioural health.

Living and working with First Nations communities in the Northern Territory for over thirty years, caused a transformative turn in her journey. Here, Jane pioneered strength and justice-based approaches aimed at achieving systemic and long-term change. In 2000, alongside the Arrernte people in Central Australia, she co-founded Akeyulerre, one of the first organisations in Australia rooted in First Nations knowledge systems focused on cultural, social, and emotional wellbeing, as well as traditional healing and health.

Working with and guided by the wisdom of Elders and community leaders, Jane co-founded Children’s Ground, a groundbreaking systems change organisation that privileges First Nations knowledge and practices. This 25-year initiative is led by communities possessing vision and solutions but facing oppression through structural racism and social, cultural, and economic injustice. Children’s Ground is dedicated to ensuring that future generations of First Nations children can enjoy freedom, opportunity, and the right to determine their future, encompassing economic, political, social, and cultural wellbeing.

Jane’s expertise and dedication have also seen her consult for Virgin Unite, the Northern Territory and Federal Governments, and various Aboriginal organisations in the Northern Territory. Her impact was recognised in 2014 when she was named one of the Westpac Australian Financial Review 100 Women of Influence. Under her leadership, Children’s Ground was honoured with the Outstanding Achievement in Innovation award at the NT Education and Care Awards in 2021.

Jane Vadiveloo's work is a testament to her unwavering commitment to justice, systemic change, and the empowerment of First Nations communities.

Dr. Ben Mardell

USA

Ben Mardell is not just an educator; he is a visionary who has dedicated his life to unlocking the limitless potential of young minds. With an illustrious career spanning four decades, he has been at the forefront of innovative educational practices that inspire both teachers and students alike.

Nowadays, you'll find him inspiring young minds as the atelierista at Newtowne School and collaborating on exciting projects as a research affiliate at Longlong Kindergarten at the MIT Media Lab. Ben's journey has taken him from teaching infants and toddlers to preschoolers and kindergarteners. He's also delved into research as a principal investigator at Harvard Project Zero and shaped future educators at Lesley University.

Ben’s research has profoundly influenced how we understand the critical early years of a child's development. His groundbreaking work on children’s play, learning, and the development of creativity has reshaped classrooms around the globe, fostering environments where curiosity, imagination, and joy are at the heart of learning. His dedication to empowering educators through professional development and relentless pursuit of excellence in education have earned him accolades and respect from peers worldwide.

Ben is a co-author of a number of publications, including Visible Learners: Promoting Reggio-Inspired Approaches in All Schools, Making Learning Visible: Children as Individual and Group Learners, Children at the Center: Transforming Early Childhoods Education in the Boston Public Schools, and A Pedagogy of Play: Supporting Playful Learning in Classrooms and Schools. He also penned From Basketball to the Beatles: In Search of Compelling Early Childhood Curriculum and Growing Up in Child Care: A Case for Quality Early Education. His latest project is Playing with the Sun (www.playingwiththesun.org).

When he's not busy with his educational adventures, Ben loves spending time with his family—hiking, playing games, or participating in triathlons.

Kelly Goodsir

AUS

Kelly brings over 20 years of early education experience gained in New Zealand and Australia.

She specialises in walking alongside educators, teachers and organisations as a pedagogical companion, strengthening the systems and approaches they adopt to deliver genuine and authentic educational programs for children. Kelly loves facilitating conversations that invite teams to unpack the ‘whys’ behind their practice, fostering a strong sense of purpose, knowledge and joy.

She believes in making meaningful connections between practice and theory over time and through slow pedagogy. Kelly's expertise has made her a sought-after speaker and professional development provider known for simplifying complexities and inspiring pedagogical courage. Widely respected for her dedication to children's and educators' rights, her creativity and commitment drive transformative change across the education and care sector.

Kelly has published several resources and books contributing to conversations related to mental health and documentation and, more recently, co-founded The Creative Collection, a new resource inviting early childhood teams to reimagine the arts in teaching and learning.

When Kelly is not knee-deep in empowering organisations ‘to think and learn,’ you will find her running, planning her next holiday, and spending time with her son Caleb.

Content Carousel

Title

title
subtitle
title
subtitle
title
subtitle

Inspired moments from our Keynotes

Watch our most inspirational, thought provoking, and engaging speakers from Inspire 2025.

The Arts & Young Children - Marking The Way Forward

Learning how to keep young minds engaged by bringing joy and creativity through the arts, our partnership with The Museum of Contemporary Art, Sydney help deliver insight and inspiration.

Inspire Dinner

After a packed few days of inspired learning we let our hair down, and came together for a night of music, dance and the unexpected.

FAQs

More ways to learn

Outside of our courses, you can get more information in our magazine, Pedagogy + and register for our conferences.

Growing leadership from the inside out
Semann & Slattery
Find out how a tailored leadership program supported emerging and experienced leaders across an entire organisation.
Case Study
Read More
Equipping educational leaders to lead with confidence
Semann & Slattery
See how customised workshops and coaching helped educational leaders feel more capable and better prepared to guide their teams.
Case Study
Read More
A smarter way to support staff induction
Semann & Slattery
Discover how a custom video library made induction easier, faster and more consistent for educators.
Case Study
Read More
Changing practice through action research
Semann & Slattery
A year-long project helped teams explore their practice, gather evidence and make lasting change in their learning environments.
Case Study
Read More
Making learning visible: A state-wide shift in assessment
Anthony Semann
A five-year project shows how documentation became a core tool for assessing learning across one state.
Case Study
Read More
The subtle strength of interwoven threads
Semann & Slattery
Imagination, originality, invention, and playfulness are all key aspects of creative ways of being, that foster divergent thinking and problem creating.
Pedagogy+ Free Article
Read More
The power of love in leadership
Anthony Semann
Love — defined as a deep care and respect for one another — can be the essential force that breathes life into the workplace.
Pedagogy+ Free Article
Read More
Leaning into life's philosophy
Semann & Slattery
Asking life questions can be daunting. Our self-enquiry will ask us to consider the possibilities and inevitabilities of life, and what we value.
Pedagogy+ Free Article
Read More
A context for discovery
Semann & Slattery
With a notebook full of possibilities, a head and heart ready to lean into the possible, offering here a handful of ideas that have been consciously ruminating for me, weaving their threads into my daily practice.
Pedagogy+ Free Article
Read More
Goal Setting in Early Childhood Settings
Colin Slattery
Setting goals is a crucial element in any educational context, fostering an environment conducive to structured learning and growth. It guides learners towards the acquisition of key skills and knowledge while promoting self-confidence and motivation. Moreover, clear and attainable goals provide a sense of direction, facilitating a deeper understanding of progress and achievement.
Program and PracticeDevelopmentSelf management
Read More
Shhh! Wanna hear a secret?
Semann & Slattery
We’ve all been told that gossip and rumour is an evil scourge of the workplace and must be stopped at all costs. There are numerous articles offering advice on how to kill the poisonous grapevine.
Workplace Culture
Read More
Mentoring. A literature review
Semann & Slattery
Mentoring dates back to ancient Greek mythology whereby Ulysses entrusted the care of his young son, Telemachus, to his loyal and most trusted friend Mentor
WorkMentoring and Coaching
Read More
Manage time? Who can?
Semann & Slattery
Lets face it time waits for no one! Time keeps ticking away regardless of our efforts to squeeze in more and more into our day.
GeneralWork
Read More
Strengths spotting
Semann & Slattery
Much has been written about the benefits of using our strengths across all aspects of our lives. Interestingly, many of us have difficulty identifying strengths.
Positive PsychologyMentoring and Coaching
Read More
Creating a thinking organisation
Semann & Slattery
Recently I was facilitating a professional development program and posed the following question to the participants ‘Do you define your workplace as a thinking organisation’. This question was met with silence.
WorkWorkplace CultureLeadership
Read More
Brain Facts
Semann & Slattery
A child is born with over 100 billion neurons or brain cells. That’s enough neurons to last a lifetime, since no more neurons will develop after birth.
Development
Read More
Be the architect of your setting
Semann & Slattery
When thinking about what role you might want to play in your setting, whether it be as the Director, co-educator, teacher or educational leader, you have the opportunity to dramatically influence the environment and the people around you if you choose to.
Workplace CultureLeadership
Read More
Everything you always wanted to know about coaching
Semann & Slattery
What comes to mind when you hear the word ‘coaching’? Most probably the answer is sport! Certainly, coaching has connections with sport, and draws on theories and research from sports psychology.
Self managementMentoring and Coaching
Read More
Is it time for your mid year rev up?
Semann & Slattery
We have past the middle of the year, the winter solstice has come and gone, and we anticipate warmer days ahead. While you might not be quite ready for your annual spring clean, perhaps it’s time to give yourself a bit of a lift, to reenergise and reinvigorate yourself so you are at your best for the days, weeks and months ahead.
WorkSelf management
Read More
Trust me, I'm a professional
Semann & Slattery
I am always a bit unsure what to think whenever I hear early childhood educators discussing the topic of professionalism and whether they are, or are not professionals.
WorkWorkplace CultureSelf management
Read More
Let's talk about etiquette: Facebook and beyond
Semann & Slattery
Workplace CultureSelf management
Read More
Psychological Capital in the workplace
Semann & Slattery
In this blog we will introduce the concept of positive psychological capital and the four key theories that build positive psychological capital (PsyCap).
WorkSelf managementPositive Psychology
Read More
3 steps to navigate frustrations
Semann & Slattery
Sometimes it builds from small things turning into deep murmurings. If it is left to fester it drives varying size wedges between us. To avoid this potential disaster at work we have to be ready with a suite of commanding tools so that we are not derailed by surprises or methodical degradation of relatedness.
WorkSelf management
Read More
Where's my..........
Semann & Slattery
With the popularity of webinars and other on-line methods of learning, Semann & Slattery is often asked, ‘WHERE IS MY STUFF?’ The ‘STUFF’ usually consists of:
General
Read More
Finding your inner strength - using strengths at work
Semann & Slattery
Many of our courses and team-building activities have an element of a strengths based approach within them. Why’s that? The research on strengths and their use in the workplace provides a compelling argument as to why organisations could incorporate strengths on a more regular basis. But first, what is a strength?
Self managementPositive Psychology
Read More
Being present: what does that mean exactly?
Semann & Slattery
You are probably aware of advice to be ‘really present’ in work with young children. Certainly, we nod and say, ‘of course’, but honestly, do we have any idea what we’re talking about?
Program and Practice
Read More
It's not what you say that matters. It's what you do!
Semann & Slattery
Words are just words, and in the world today there are consulting firms and marketing agencies employed to advise leaders about what to say and how to say things. However, in the end, all that matters is what you do, not what you say.
WorkSelf management
Read More
Restorative Conversations
Semann & Slattery
We all have moments at work where we either want to scream or stomp a little! When communicating with colleagues becomes difficult or near impossible we need a new strategy to overcome the ‘communication hurdle’.
WorkSelf management
Read More
Living in the Arena: Courageous Leadership
Semann & Slattery
Living in the ‘Arena’ of leadership means you are going to get dirty; you are going to fail, and not everyone is going to agree with what you do or say.
LeadershipSelf management
Read More
Invitational literacy
Semann & Slattery
I wonder if you’ve been caught up in the pressure for assessing literacy development? Did that result in ticking off checklists and requiring more group instruction?
Program and Practice
Read More

Growing leadership from the inside out

Semann & Slattery

Find out how a tailored leadership program supported emerging and experienced leaders across an entire organisation.

Case Study

Equipping educational leaders to lead with confidence

Semann & Slattery

See how customised workshops and coaching helped educational leaders feel more capable and better prepared to guide their teams.

Case Study

A smarter way to support staff induction

Semann & Slattery

Discover how a custom video library made induction easier, faster and more consistent for educators.

Case Study

Changing practice through action research

Semann & Slattery

A year-long project helped teams explore their practice, gather evidence and make lasting change in their learning environments.

Case Study

Making learning visible: A state-wide shift in assessment

Anthony Semann

A five-year project shows how documentation became a core tool for assessing learning across one state.

Case Study

The subtle strength of interwoven threads

Semann & Slattery

Imagination, originality, invention, and playfulness are all key aspects of creative ways of being, that foster divergent thinking and problem creating.

Pedagogy+ Free Article

The power of love in leadership

Anthony Semann

Love — defined as a deep care and respect for one another — can be the essential force that breathes life into the workplace.

Pedagogy+ Free Article

Leaning into life's philosophy

Semann & Slattery

Asking life questions can be daunting. Our self-enquiry will ask us to consider the possibilities and inevitabilities of life, and what we value.

Pedagogy+ Free Article

A context for discovery

Semann & Slattery

With a notebook full of possibilities, a head and heart ready to lean into the possible, offering here a handful of ideas that have been consciously ruminating for me, weaving their threads into my daily practice.

Pedagogy+ Free Article

Goal Setting in Early Childhood Settings

Colin Slattery

Setting goals is a crucial element in any educational context, fostering an environment conducive to structured learning and growth. It guides learners towards the acquisition of key skills and knowledge while promoting self-confidence and motivation. Moreover, clear and attainable goals provide a sense of direction, facilitating a deeper understanding of progress and achievement.

Program and PracticeDevelopmentSelf management

Shhh! Wanna hear a secret?

Semann & Slattery

We’ve all been told that gossip and rumour is an evil scourge of the workplace and must be stopped at all costs. There are numerous articles offering advice on how to kill the poisonous grapevine.

Workplace Culture

Mentoring. A literature review

Semann & Slattery

Mentoring dates back to ancient Greek mythology whereby Ulysses entrusted the care of his young son, Telemachus, to his loyal and most trusted friend Mentor

WorkMentoring and Coaching

Manage time? Who can?

Semann & Slattery

Lets face it time waits for no one! Time keeps ticking away regardless of our efforts to squeeze in more and more into our day.

GeneralWork

Strengths spotting

Semann & Slattery

Much has been written about the benefits of using our strengths across all aspects of our lives. Interestingly, many of us have difficulty identifying strengths.

Positive PsychologyMentoring and Coaching

Creating a thinking organisation

Semann & Slattery

Recently I was facilitating a professional development program and posed the following question to the participants ‘Do you define your workplace as a thinking organisation’. This question was met with silence.

WorkWorkplace CultureLeadership

Brain Facts

Semann & Slattery

A child is born with over 100 billion neurons or brain cells. That’s enough neurons to last a lifetime, since no more neurons will develop after birth.

Development

Be the architect of your setting

Semann & Slattery

When thinking about what role you might want to play in your setting, whether it be as the Director, co-educator, teacher or educational leader, you have the opportunity to dramatically influence the environment and the people around you if you choose to.

Workplace CultureLeadership

Everything you always wanted to know about coaching

Semann & Slattery

What comes to mind when you hear the word ‘coaching’? Most probably the answer is sport! Certainly, coaching has connections with sport, and draws on theories and research from sports psychology.

Self managementMentoring and Coaching

Is it time for your mid year rev up?

Semann & Slattery

We have past the middle of the year, the winter solstice has come and gone, and we anticipate warmer days ahead. While you might not be quite ready for your annual spring clean, perhaps it’s time to give yourself a bit of a lift, to reenergise and reinvigorate yourself so you are at your best for the days, weeks and months ahead.

WorkSelf management

Trust me, I'm a professional

Semann & Slattery

I am always a bit unsure what to think whenever I hear early childhood educators discussing the topic of professionalism and whether they are, or are not professionals.

WorkWorkplace CultureSelf management

Let's talk about etiquette: Facebook and beyond

Semann & Slattery

Workplace CultureSelf management

Psychological Capital in the workplace

Semann & Slattery

In this blog we will introduce the concept of positive psychological capital and the four key theories that build positive psychological capital (PsyCap).

WorkSelf managementPositive Psychology

3 steps to navigate frustrations

Semann & Slattery

Sometimes it builds from small things turning into deep murmurings. If it is left to fester it drives varying size wedges between us. To avoid this potential disaster at work we have to be ready with a suite of commanding tools so that we are not derailed by surprises or methodical degradation of relatedness.

WorkSelf management

Where's my..........

Semann & Slattery

With the popularity of webinars and other on-line methods of learning, Semann & Slattery is often asked, ‘WHERE IS MY STUFF?’ The ‘STUFF’ usually consists of:

General

Finding your inner strength - using strengths at work

Semann & Slattery

Many of our courses and team-building activities have an element of a strengths based approach within them. Why’s that? The research on strengths and their use in the workplace provides a compelling argument as to why organisations could incorporate strengths on a more regular basis. But first, what is a strength?

Self managementPositive Psychology

Being present: what does that mean exactly?

Semann & Slattery

You are probably aware of advice to be ‘really present’ in work with young children. Certainly, we nod and say, ‘of course’, but honestly, do we have any idea what we’re talking about?

Program and Practice

It's not what you say that matters. It's what you do!

Semann & Slattery

Words are just words, and in the world today there are consulting firms and marketing agencies employed to advise leaders about what to say and how to say things. However, in the end, all that matters is what you do, not what you say.

WorkSelf management

Restorative Conversations

Semann & Slattery

We all have moments at work where we either want to scream or stomp a little! When communicating with colleagues becomes difficult or near impossible we need a new strategy to overcome the ‘communication hurdle’.

WorkSelf management

Living in the Arena: Courageous Leadership

Semann & Slattery

Living in the ‘Arena’ of leadership means you are going to get dirty; you are going to fail, and not everyone is going to agree with what you do or say.

LeadershipSelf management

Invitational literacy

Semann & Slattery

I wonder if you’ve been caught up in the pressure for assessing literacy development? Did that result in ticking off checklists and requiring more group instruction?

Program and Practice

Content Carousel

Title

title
subtitle
title
subtitle
title
subtitle

Jane Vadiveloo's work is a testament to her unwavering commitment to justice, systemic change, and the empowerment of First Nations communities.

An Uprising! Challenge, Advocate, Resist

Gathering the best and brightest minds in education