On Sunday, May 18, 2014 – Professor Julian Vasquez Heilig will be back to start Part 1 of a Series of discussions on "Teach for America".

Julian Vasquez Heilig is an award-winning researcher and teacher. He is currently an Associate Professor of Educational Policy and Planning and African and African Diaspora Studies (by courtesy) at the University of Texas at Austin. He is also a Faculty Affiliate of the Center for Mexican American Studies and the Warfield Center for African and African American Studies at the University of Texas at Austin. Since 2007, he has served as an Associate Director for the University Council of Education Administration (UCEA).

In addition to educational accomplishments, Julian Vasquez Heilig has held a variety of research and practitioner positions in organizations from Boston to Beijing. These experiences have provided formative professional perspectives to bridge research, theory, and practice.

His current research includes quantitatively and qualitatively examining how high-stakes testing and accountability-based reforms and market reforms impact urban minority students. Julian’s research interests also include issues of access, diversity, and equity in higher education.

His work has been cited by the New York Times, Washington Post, Associated Press, USAToday, Education Week, Huffington Post and other print and electronic media outlets. He has also appeared on local and national radio and TV including PBS, NBC, NBCLatino, NPR, Univision, and MSNBC.

He obtained his Ph.D. in Education Administration and Policy Analysis and a Masters in Sociology from Stanford University. He also holds a Masters of Higher Education and a Bachelor’s of History and Psychology from the University of Michigan Ann Arbor.

He blogs at Cloaking Inequity, consisistently rated one of the top 50 education websites in the world by Teach100.

Contact him at:

Julian Vasquez Heilig, Ph.D. ▪ Associate Professor, Educational Policy and Planning ▪ The University of Texas at Austin College of Education Department of Educational Administration George I. Sanchez Building (SZB) 374D 1912 Speedway D5400 Austin, TX 78712-1604 Tel: (512) 471-7551 email: jvh@alumni.stanford.edu

Martin Pytela

After some eye-opening medical events, I started researching natural and alternative health principles. I started the Fit For Life regimen - mostly raw food, lots of detoxification with algae and proper food combining. After five years of this, my back problems subsided, and after ten years my allergies went away. By that time I was at least as well read as any naturopathic doctor or nutritionist, and I decided to start a health and wellness company.

I wish to give people new hope in natural healing methods, to ease years of suffering. 

Suzanne Toro

Suzanne has a Private Practice that guides her clients through transitions: Birth|Life|Death. She integrates the following modalities during the sessions: Sound, Energy & Human Psychology Therapy and Education: Meditation, Parenting, Inner Wellness, Tea, Food, Yoga & Self Love. In addition, Suzanne is a Public Speaker, Writer, Food Alchemist, and Workshop & Retreat Facilitator. She leads national and international workshops and retreats speaking to diverse audiences ranging from the Business World to remote Jungle settings. 

Morava Schaa

Morava is very excited to announce that she and her husband, Gunter have fouunded an Avesa Quantum Healing Center in Silver City, New Mexico. The services offered include a variety of energetice healing modalities, intuitive and spiritual counseling, transpersonal hypnotherapy, holistic nutritional and herbal guidance, live foods consulting and workshops and much more. Morava embraces that which exponentially expands how she may be of service ot others.

Before resigning from the US State Department in 2004 due to excessive secrecy demands, Fred Burks served many years as a language interpreter for presidents and other dignitaries. He interpreted for G.W. Bush, Clinton, Gore, Cheney, and many other top officials of the US and other countries. Having participated in numerous secret meetings where the only people allowed were the principals and their interpreters, he has acquired important inside information and contacts.

After receiving a wealth of eye-opening information on major cover-ups from respected friends and colleagues, Fred was inspired to develop this website in October 2002. Continually opening to divine guidance, Fred has dedicated himself both to getting the word out about the cover-ups, and to inspiring others to help transform ourselves and our world through love and empowerment. He is currently executive director of the PEERS network of websites and manager.

Fred has also helped develop and foster several inspiring communities and websites, including Moment of Love and the free Personal Growth Courses. 

Mercedes Schneider is a Louisiana public school teacher and education activist who holds a Ph.D. in applied statistics and research methods. Schneider blogs regularly on both local and national education issues on her own education blog, deutsch29.wordpress.com, and can be reached via email at deutsch29@aol.com.

Her new book "The Chronicle of Echoes: Who's Who in the Implosion of American Public Education" is now available on Amazon.com! Here is a brief description of the book:

“Corporate reform” is not reform at all. Instead, it is the systematic destruction of the foundational American institution of public education. The primary motivation behind this destruction is greed. Public education in America is worth almost a trillion dollars a year. Whereas American public education is a democratic institution, its destruction is being choreographed by a few wealthy, well-positioned individuals and organizations. This book investigates and exposes the handful of people and institutions that are often working together to become the driving force behind destroying the community public school.

Schneider has exposed the corruption, greed and entangling of self-interests that underlie the attempt of the mega-corporations to grab billions of tax-payer dollars that are appropriated for America’s K-12 public schools. She puts the names and faces on the movement that Diane Ravitch documented in “Reign of Error: The Hoax of the Privatization Movement and the Danger to America’s Public Schools.” There are no “must reads” anymore. There are just a handful of “should reads”: “A Chronicle of Echoes” is at the head of that list.

Timothy J Glenn is an astrologer, numerologist, spiritual reader and teacher, pianist, vocalist, sound healer, channel for the Proterreans, lecturer, and past life regression therapist.  Tim says, "I've thrown myself into the world of Metaphysics with a grand passion."  This is beautifully demonstrated through his personal Soul Purpose Readings.  

A Soul Purpose Reading has a primary focus:  why did you (as a Divine Soul) come into this particular life?  Sessions last about an hour and a half and can be done in person or over the phone.

We can add one more item to the list of professions...author!  Check out my new eBook: "The Zephyrus Archives - Volume One - Mission of Eternity".  A narrative biography of Pontious Pilate's right hand man.  The Zephyrus Archives paint an intimate portrait of the most misrepresented human in history:  the Spiritual Master called Jesus, who Zephyrus knew as Yeshua.