Gail Saunders-Smith is an assistant education professor at Youngstown State University in Ohio. She is also an independent staff developer, writer, and editor. She presents nationally at conferences on literacy development and instruction and has written numerous articles, children''s non-fiction books, and professional resources. Gail holds a B.S. and M.A. in Early Childhood Education from Kent State University and a M.S. in Administration and Supervision from Youngstown State University. She completed post-graduate work at The Ohio State University and earned a Ph.D. in curriculum and instruction from The University of Akron. Gail is a former classroom teacher, Reading Recovery Teacher Leader, and Reading/Language Arts K-12 Supervisor and Coordinator of State and Federal Programs for the Summit County ESC.

Melissa Hill earned a BS in Wildlife & Fisheries Biology & Management from the University of Wyoming in 1998. While in college, she began discovered her true passion - working with birds of prey. She now has her dream job managing a raptor education program in Cody, Wyoming where she teaches the public about these amazing birds every day.