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Dr. Rebecca Dedmond
Founder, The Freshman Transition Initiative
Dr. Dedmond is Professor and Director of the Master of Arts in School Counseling Program at The George Washington University where her research focus is on student transition at middle and high school levels. She has written and validated the Standards for a Freshman Transition Course (2004) and Middle Level Transition Standards (2012). She founded and directs the Freshman Transition Initiative at The George Washington University. As Career Counseling Supervisor for the Virginia Department of Education, Dr. Dedmond designed a comprehensive career guidance and counseling model, wrote implementation guides, and conducted technical assistance. In this position, she served as President of the National Consortium of State Career Guidance Supervisors for two terms and built a partnership with the United States Army Recruiting Command to design and implement the first "Planning for Life" marketing campaign. |
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Rudy Ramirez
Principal, Indio High School
Mr. Ramirez is in his 22nd year as the principal of Indio High School in Southern California. A former teacher, counselor, and assistant principal, he is an advocate for students, parents, and the Indio community. Mr. Ramirez resides in Indio, has three children who graduated from Indio High School, a son who is a 10th grader, and a 5½ year son named Jonathan. Mr. Ramirez is deeply connected to the community and their families and is a true believer in academic success for all. His school’s Success 101 program was the subject of an Academic Innovations documentary Success 101: A Prerequisite for Life. |
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Diane Goncalves
Former Assistant Superintendent of Schools, Region One Schools
Diane is the former Assistant Superintendent of Schools for Region One Schools in Falls Village, Connecticut. She has also served as a consultant to various school systems in the area of classroom management. She has taught at the college level and lectured on curriculum development, classroom management, and behavioral strategies for student success. She has also been invited to address various audiences at the state level on Educational Law. She is an advocate for the success of all students. She believes that “Focus on Freshmen” is a program that guarantees success for students throughout their high school careers and beyond. |
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