How to Discuss Race in Your Classroom

John Moscatiello is the founder of Marco Learning. He has been a teacher, tutor, and author since 2002. Over the course of his career, John has taught more than 4,000 students, trained hundreds of teachers, written content for 13 test preparation books, and worked as an educational consultant in more than 20 countries around the world.

Since 2004, Alayna Vernon has passionately educated and mentored students. Working at the Princeton Review, Alayna honed her expertise in standardized testing—from the SAT® to the GMAT®. At Marco Learning, Alayna has worn many hats: instructor for subjects like AP® Psychology and AP® Calculus AB, mentor, content and curriculum developer, writer, actor, and now Director of Teacher and Student Programs. With both parents as teachers, Alayna deeply values educators’ dedication and champions them daily.

Danny Sanchez has been a teacher and tutor for the past 18 years. He has taught a variety of courses including: US History, World History, Holocaust Studies, and the History of the Vietnam War. For the last 12 years his academic focus has been AP® Human Geography. He has helped his students at Jensen Beach High School exceed the global and state pass rates every single year he has taught the course. His Instagram account, @thehumangeoguy, is the most followed account that focuses on AP® Human Geography content. Danny is a graduate of Florida International University where he majored in Social Studies Education.

Katie Upton has been teaching for 15 years, helping students become college and career ready. She has taught English courses ranging from 7th grade English Language Arts to Composition I at the college level. In the past three years, she has quickly become an expert in AP® Language and Composition and a leader of the AP® Capstone program. Katie has a plethora of experience in educational professional development. She has led professional development at the building, district, area, and even global level, focusing on helping teachers blend 21st century learning with educational practices that have stood the test of time. Beginning her career in Oklahoma, Katie has also taught in Kansas and now calls Texas her home. A former basketball coach herself, Katie spends her free time cheering on her two boys in all that they do and supporting her husband, a head girls’ basketball coach.