GAR Foundation is thrilled to announce Heather E. Burton, PhD as the keynote speaker for the 2017 Annual Educator Conference on October 5, 2017 in Akron.

Heather E. Burton, PhD

Dr. Burton currently serves as Director of IDEAL-N and Partner Institutions Faculty and Student Development at Case Western Reserve University. She is adjunct faculty in Pan-African Studies and Social work at The University of Akron and Case Western Reserve University. She is Founder and CEO of Crimson Heights Ministries, Inc. a 501 (c)3 geared towards the holistic development of women.

Through her work and personal experience she has dedicated her life to being a change agent enhancing the lives of others through education and philanthropy. Dr. Burton has been a guest speaker for BET Foundation Girls Empowerment Summit, Cleveland State University Salute to Black Graduates, The Ohio State University Author Series, The University of Akron Revisiting Race Week, Youngstown State University, and the Women of Color Foundation, just to name a few. Dr. Burton also serves as a facilitator for workshops and training on diversity and inclusion.

She is author of the Coming of Age Tale, Crimson Heights” and “I’m Single: So What?Achieving Contentment in your current season of singleness. She is an active member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and featured as part of the Delta National Author Tour.

Dr. Burton has been involved in acting for over thirty years. Her stage credits include “The Vagina Monologues”, “A Lesson Before Dying”, and a host of other plays. Her directorial debut came with her self-written play “The Master” at the age of 16. Dr. Burton’s film and television credits include “Burger King”, “Miracle Dogs”, “Best Buy”, “Value City”, “Drug Mart, “Revol Wireless”, and others. She has been a plus-size model for “Danskin”, “Value City/Shotensteins”, “Weiss Furs” and others.

Dr. Burton is a graduate of The Ohio State University with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Journalism and African-American Studies with a minor in Theater, a Masters of Social Work from the University of Akron, a Masters of Public Administration and a Doctor of Philosophy in Urban Studies and Public Affairs both from Cleveland State University.

Keynote Presentation: Using Intrinsic Motivation to Achieve Extrinsic Boundaries

Watching students grow and succeed is one of the most rewarding aspects of the teaching profession, and studies show intrinsic motivation is one of the greatest factors in motivating teachers for excellence. What is intrinsic motivation and how can teachers play a role in fostering long-lasting and self-sustaining motivation in ALL students? What strategies can help educators push our personal boundaries and traverse divides? In her keynote presentation, Using Intrinsic Motivation to Achieve Extrinsic Boundaries, Dr. Burton will explore ways educators can recognize their own racial and gender biases that prevent them from serving their students equally, the impact the classroom environment and culture has on the lives of students outside of school, and the important role educators play beyond the classroom walls.

GAR Foundation’s conference brings together K-12 educators in Summit County for a full-day of learning, idea sharing, and networking around education and classroom instruction. This is a FREE conference for K-12 educators in Summit County. Registration is now open through September 29.