Dominique Smith is the principal of Health Sciences High & Middle College in San Diego, California, where he also serves as a culture builder and student advocate. He is passionate about creating school cultures that honor students and build their confidence and competence.

He is also a social worker, mentor, national trainer for the International Institute on Restorative Practices, and member of ASCD's FIT Teaching® (Framework for Intentional and Targeted Teaching®) Cadre. Smith is the winner of the National School Safety Award from the School Safety Advocacy Council and coauthor many books, including Better Than Carrots or Sticks: Restorative Practices for Positive Classroom Management and Building Equity: Policies and Practices to Empower All Learners.

Douglas Fisher is a professor of educational leadership at San Diego State University and a teacher leader at Health Sciences High in San Diego, California. Formerly an intervention teacher and elementary school educator, he was inducted into the Reading Hall of Fame in 2022. Doug has authored numerous articles on leadership, reading and literacy, and curriculum design along with books such as Microlearning in the K–12 Classroom, Better Learning Through Structured Teaching, and All Learning Is Social and Emotional.

Nancy Frey is a professor of educational leadership at San Diego State University and a teacher leader at Health Sciences High in San Diego, California. She is a credentialed special educator, reading specialist, and administrator in California. Nancy has authored numerous articles on leadership, reading and literacy, and curriculum design as well as books such as Microlearning in the K–12 Classroom, Student Learning Communities, and Your Students, My Students, Our Students.