Dr. Matthew Johnson

"Matthew (Matt) S. Johnson is a principal research director in the Foundational Psychometrics and Statistics Research center in the Research & Development division at ETS. He returned to ETS in 2018 after previously working at ETS from 2000 to 2002, when he was an associate research scientist working on National Assessment of Educational Progress. Prior to rejoining ETS, he was most recently an associate professor of statistics and education at Teachers College at Columbia University in the department of human development where he served as the chair from September 2014 to August 2017. Prior to joining Teachers College in 2008, he was an associate professor of statistics at Baruch College of the City University of New York, where he was on the faculty from September 2002 until August 2008. His research focuses on the use of statistical methods in education and psychology with a primary focus on item response theory and related models. He has served as coeditor of the Journal of Educational and Behavioral Statistics and on the editorial board of Psychometrika, was program cochair for the National Council of Measurement in Education annual conference, and is currently treasurer of the Psychometric Society."

Ana Mendes

"With over a decade of experience in education, Ana Mendes teaches English as a Second Language, Biology and Biodiversity, combining her expertise to create inclusive and transformative learning environments. She is currently pursuing an Ed.D. in Educational Sustainability at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, focusing her research on ESL teachers’ perceptions of AI-generated texts and images to support culturally responsive teaching. An advocate for integrating AI into classrooms, Ana conducts workshops that empower educators to use AI tools ethically and inclusively. Her academic background includes a Certificate in Applied Data Science from MIT and a bachelor's degree in biology, complemented by community-driven sustainability projects. Through her work, she is committed to bridging educational gaps, fostering equity, and promoting sustainable practices for the future."

Dr. Joy Barnes Johnson

"Joy Barnes-Johnson holds a Ph.D. in Urban Education with a focus on STEM education. Over the course of her 30-year career, she has enjoyed working in K12 and university settings while also consulting for racial literacy, STEM and community-based social justice projects. Over the course of her 30-year career in education, Dr. Joy has taught in China, Jamaica, Costa Rica and throughout the United States. She enjoys working as a volunteer and consulting with various education outreach organizations including the Lost Souls public memorial project, the NAACP (ACTSO) program, and The Paul Robeson House of Princeton where she is program committee chair. Her favorite things to do in her spare time include reading, frolicking with family, and imagining new ways to see chemistry in everyday life. She is currently writing a book framing the role of Black educators in the work of passing on a heritage of joy. Archival research and contemporary storytelling will be woven together with the rationality of African proverbs in celebration of the leadership of teachers. In 2025, she joined The Foundation Academy as the K-12 Head of STEM."