GESS LEBLANC, PHD, belongs to the Hunter College School of Education. He is the Co-founder of Hunter's Urban Center for Assessment, Research, and Evaluation and Co-founder of the college's MA Program in Educational Psychology. He is a sought-after speaker and writer on the subject of culturally responsive teaching.

TIM FREDRICK, PHD, is Senior Director of Education Programs at Youth Communication where he oversees social and emotional learning programs and professional development. He is a teacher and teacher educator with 20 years' experience working with students in kindergarten through graduate school.

YOUTH COMMUNICATION provides professional development based on true stories by teens that helps educators work with students to strengthen the social, emotional, and literacy skills they need to achieve their academic and life goals.