Leilani Barnett

Institute Director

With more than 30 years of experience from the classroom to campus coaching to district-level training of principals to district curriculum writing and testing coordination, Leilani now devotes herself to adding world travel, amazing training, true support, and a week of luxury to the lives of teachers who commit to this profession! Leilani was the first National Chairperson for an Assembly of National Board Certified Teachers, District Teacher of the Year for Scottsboro City Schools, president of the Alabama Council of Teachers of English and a member of the executive board for AAMU's National Writing Project. You may have heard her speak at events for the National Council of Teachers of English, the International Reading Association, Toyota Corporation, Texas ESC Regions 8, 10, and 11, the International Institute of Education, etc. She is also the author of "Sacred Journaling: Ten Ways to Use the Power of Words to Craft Your Ideal Life" and "Guaranteed Ways to Make an A: Getting Inside the Head of Your Teacher."

Dr. Quentin J. Lee

Co-Coordinator of the TSG Administrators' Institute

A dedicated family man, Dr. Quentin J. Lee is Superintendent of Talladega City Schools and became a viral sensation in 2020 when his "Can't Touch This Covid Parody" was viewed more than 9 million times and helped schools navigate safely to back to school. Dr. Lee has been featured on several national platforms such as: 360- CNN, Fox and Friends, The Today Show, Good Morning America, Greatest At Home Videos, and NBC Nightly News. Dr. Lee was able to virtually speak with various media personalities including by not limited to Lester Holt, Hoda, Anderson Cooper, Cedric The Entertainer, and ultimately MC Hammer. You may have heard Dr. Lee's Ted Talk, or heard him present for Google for Education (EDU Onair), Kahoot (conference presenter and host), and ISTE (International Society for Technology in Education) presenter and main stage speaker, and the HOPE Institute Summer Character Education Summit. He was named Principal of the Year 2020-2021 by the Alabama Black Education Alliance, and received the Go Be Great Award by Varsity Brand Sports and a Character Education Award from Samford University.

Ann Anderson Halbrooks

Flight Coordinator

Marketing and Travel Expert that owns and operates WanderLux Travel in Coppell, TX. With her expertise and connections, she will share travel tips and news for your destinations to make sure you have all the information you need to properly prepare. Ann is also available for consultation, to assist with travel customizations and to keep everyone on task with payments and final plans. Ann is excited to join TEAM Teaching Spark Global to assist with everyone’s travel plans – making sure your travel is seamless and you are able to sit back, relax and enjoy the trip!

Trisha Somers

Professional Teaching Mentor and Mindset Coach

Trisha brings vast experience from teaching elementary to college students, plus expertise in classroom management, planning, and content-specific strategies. She focuses on building relationships with students to create a more harmonious classroom environment. As a DiSC facilitator, Trisha shares how strengths and weaknesses of differing personalities can work together in productive ways. As a Mindset Coach, she works side-by-side with teachers to allow them to see new perspectives while encouraging their continued growth and motivation. She delights in helping others navigate busy lives successfully.