CARLOS OJEDA, JR

Wednesday, March 1, 2023 | 5:30 PM - 7:00 PM Carlos Ojeda Jr. has been called one of the most dynamic speakers in America today. A former university administrator, professor and small business development center director, he now focuses his energy on empowering students to succeed by teaching them that their voice is their power. Combining his entrepreneurial spirit with his passion for changing the lives of youth across the country, he started CoolSpeak: The Youth Engagement Company. CoolSpeak provides youth motivational speakers, programs, and events designed to engage, educate and empower youth. CoolSpeak represents over 25 of the top youth speakers in the country, and has certified and licensed over 50 facilitators and practitioners nationwide. Over a million lives have been inspired to date.

dr. farah ortega-choatE

Thursday, March 2, 2032 | 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM
Dr. Farah Ortega-Choate is a motivational speaker, author, proud Activities Director and educator at La Quinta Middle School STEM Academy. She holds 4 degrees, including her doctorate in Educational Leadership with an emphasis in Multicultural Education. She was awarded the Jostens Renaissance National Staffulty Award, La Quinta Middle School STEM Academy Teacher of the Year, earned her CADA MAA, and is a member of the Area F Council. She is a Jostens Renaissance Champion who oversees the Sierra Nevada Region (CA, HI & NV). She coordinates the Coachella Valley Student Leaders, which brings together coordinators to network and support one other. She serves on the board for the Inland Empire Future Leaders Program, which empowers Latino/a/x youth to graduate from college and become leaders in their community. She works hard on improving her school’s culture and climate, developing student leaders, and creating lasting memories for the students and staffulty on her campus. She has always believed that, "There are two types of teachers in the world: Those who teach because it is a job and those who teach to make a difference." Dr. Farah teaches to make a DIFFERENCE! Her goal is to educate, inspire, and empower students and educators to become change agents and make a difference in their school, community, and world! #LetsChangeTheWorldTogether #Adelante #EngineerOfSouls

dr. luis f. cruz

Friday, March 5, 2023 | 3:00 PM - 4:30 PM

Dr. Luis F. Cruz has been a public school educator for over twenty-years at the elementary, middle and high school levels as both a teacher and principal. Having established a reputation as an effective agent of change with a keen ability to collectively create environments conducive to ensuring all students learn, Dr. Cruz now spends his time working with schools across the nation. Dr. Cruz is revered nationally as a passionate and vibrant public speaker who captivates audiences with his unique blend of intellect, humor and energy.