Shakara Jennings is a former kindergarten teacher and Teacher of the Year, who has served as a professional learning specialist for educators since 2010. She is a graduate of Georgia State University where she obtained a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education, a Master of Education, and a Specialist in Education. She is the founder of SEED Consulting LLC, where she sows seeds of excellence through upbeat and engaging adult learning experiences. Outside of facilitating workshops she is often requested for her teacher coaching offerings, instructional design expertise, and e-learning content design. 

Shakara enjoys is an avid football fan who also enjoys playing golf, listening to music, dancing, traveling, crafting, and bargain shopping for treasures!

Sam Deffes has worked in education for over 17 years. She began as a classroom teacher at Smart Pope Livingston Elementary in Duval County, FL where she was given the privilege of teaching grades K-4. She has also served as a reading coach, district literacy specialist, professional development facilitator and designer as well as a curriculum developer. Sam has a passion and experience working with Title 1 schools and has spent most of her career working in lowest performing schools. She is a proud graduate of the University of Florida where she obtained her master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction with a specialization in Reading. Sam was thrilled to join Learning Without Tears as a Professional Learning Literacy Advisor in May 2022 to continue sharing her passion of literacy, coaching and supporting educators and to help ensure that all students receive the educational experience they deserve.

Sam is happily married to her best friend and together they have two kids and a dog named Steve French. Sam currently lives in Middleburg, FL. She enjoys hiking, playing with her kids, and loves party planning!

*Receives a salary from Learning Without Tears where she is an employee*

Mary Ceille Allen is currently an Early Learning Instructional Designer with Palm Beach State College in Lake Worth, Florida.  Mary Ceille holds a B.A. in Communication from North Carolina State University and a Master of Arts in Teaching from Queens University of Charlotte.  She spent her classroom teaching years predominantly in the early childhood classroom as a teacher, curriculum developer and professional development facilitator.  When not teaching or training, Mary Ceille and her husband are traveling to either North Carolina State or University of Florida to visit their two children and of course watch some football.  At home in Jupiter, Florida, Mary Ceille loves the beach, watching all sports, reading and spending time with family.  Fun fact, when she first started in an early childhood classroom, Handwriting without Tears was the first professional development conference Mary Ceille attended and she used it in every classroom going forward.    

Mark D. Putney is currently a Kindergarten Teacher in the Fredonia (New York) Central School District. He learned about the Get Set For School and Handwriting Without Tears programs while teaching grades 1st through 5th during his first 20 years of teaching in the elementary classroom. He then used the Keyboarding Without Tears program while he was a computer teacher for Grades K-4 before his current role in Kindergarten. Mark has both his Bachelor's and Master's Degrees in Elementary Education and Curriculum and Instruction from the State University of New York College at Fredonia. He was so inspired by what the Keyboarding Without Tears program was doing for his students that, after attending a workshop himself, he pursued an opportunity to teach all of the programs that Learning Without Tears has to offer. Mark has been a curriculum presenter for 15 years during his 26 year teaching career, traveling throughout the United States, and ultimately has a passion to help teachers learn from coast to coast. Aside from his roles as teacher and presenter, Mark is also a husband and father. He and his wife, Melissa (a Pre-K teacher herself), have 4 children: Tyler, Emma, Ashton, and Graham. 

*Receives a speaking fee from Learning Without Tears and receives a salary from Fredonia Central School District where he is an employee*

Jessica Finell received a dual Master’s degree in Childhood Special and General Education from Bank Street College of Education in New York City.  She has over a decade of teaching experience in classroom settings and worked as a Learning Center Specialist, working with small groups and individual students, focusing on areas of literacy and math.  Her experience using Learning Without Tears in the classroom and in private tutoring sessions allows her to see firsthand the program’s benefits and the progress and success of her students.  Jessica believes that the multi-sensory and systematic approach of Learning Without Tears programs supports students, educators, and parents during instruction, providing clear and consistent language, and encourages them to have fun while learning. In addition to her work as an educator, she trained and completed the Polinger Fellowship with the nonprofit organization Hidden Sparks. She acted as an Internal Coach for a New York City private school, working to help teachers and their students achieve success within their classrooms. In her free time, Jessica enjoys cooking, experimenting with new recipes, traveling, and spending time outdoors exploring hiking trails in national and state parks.

Emily Hayes is a Kindergarten teacher in Durham, North Carolina.  She holds a BS in Business Administration from SUNY Buffalo and a Master's Degree in Early Childhood Education and Inclusion from the University of Rochester.  She is a certified teacher in general and special education and has worked in classrooms with various physical abilities and neurodiversities.  In 2016, Emily began using Handwriting Without Tears with her Kindergarten students and her love of handwriting and how much it can open educational doors for all students grew.  She began her own business at the beginning of the pandemic to virtually support students to grow with their handwriting abilities.  When not in the classroom, Emily and her husband, Ben, can be found exploring local culture with their two kids, Sloane and Lex.  When home, Emily enjoys baking, watching reality television, building IKEA furniture, and making memories with her kids. Emily loves the Handwriting Without Tears Program and how it has enhanced how she supports students within the classroom and looks forward to sharing it with you!

*Receives a speaking fee from Learning Without Tears and receives a salary from The Lerner School where she is an employee*