Jai Luster

Jai Luster is the founder and executive director of the nonprofit Luster Learning Institute, NFP. He is member of the adjunct faculty at National Louis University and offers a graduate level course in the Calm Classroom. During the last 35 years Jai has been publicly teaching workshops and seminars that specialize in training both children and adults to control and concentrate the mind, enhance alertness, improve physical stamina, decrease stress, and find greater personal satisfaction. He has designed, conducted, and contributed to numerous teacher training programs. He was certified to teach yoga in 1971 by the Integral Yoga Institute and is accredited by Yoga Alliance with a 500 hour training certification. He graduated from the University of Colorado in 1969.  

Laura Gettinger, LCSW, RDDP

Laura Gettinger is a practicing Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Registered Dual Disorder Professional and Co-Chair to the LGBTQ Youth Task Force, developed to work toward elimination of the systemic issues of anti-LGBTQ bullying, homophobia and suicide. Laura’s passion is to provide accessible, evidence-based mental health and substance abuse services to individuals and families throughout the city of Chicago. Responsible for regular trainings of both clinical staff and laypersons, Laura excels in taking a straightforward approach to complex materials and making them approachable for individuals at all levels of service.
Laura holds a Bachelor of Arts in Social Work from Miami University of Ohio and a Masters Degree in Clinical Social Work from The Ohio State University.

Dr. Angela Tagaris

As a middle school science teacher for 30 years and one of Chicago’s leading speakers and professional development facilitators, Dr. Angela Tagaris brings a wealth of teaching experience and insight to her audience. An adjunct professor at Concordia University teaching in the Graduate School of Education Program for Curriculum and Instruction and Educational Technology, she continues to share her knowledge and experience. She has stated “I love teaching today as much as I did 30 years ago.” Her master’s is in Curriculum and Instruction and her Doctorate in Teacher Leadership includes extensive research on Professional Learning Communities.

Char Wenc

Char Wenc has been an educator for 30 years from the primary to the graduate school level. Her realistic, humorous session will energize and empower you with practical techniques for discipline and positive reinforcement in your classrooms.

Char is the author of Parenting – Are We Having Fun Yet? and Cooperation – Learning Through Laughter. She is a nationally recognized speaker, who the Chicago Tribune calls “a speaking dynamo.” She is a consultant to the medical and business community, school districts and other educational associations in the United States. Char has served as a classroom teacher, clinical counselor and a graduate school professor.

Dr. Jason LaHood

Licensed Clinical Psychologist
Psychological Consultations

Dr. LaHood works with children, adolescents, adults and groups. He specializes in research and clinical work which focuses on trauma, traumatic loss, and bereavement. He has clinical experience working with trauma, depression, depression prevention, suicide prevention and suicide postvention (working with friends and family members who have survived a suicide). He has a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from The University of Dayton in Ohio, a Masters in General Psychology from Pepperdine University, and a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from the Chicago School of Professional Psychology.