Everyday Dope

“I am the CEO and Co Founder of Break The Box, A full service opportunity zone fund and business incubator based in Austin, TX. I Serve within the Executive team to create lucrative financial opportunities and socially equitable success tools for the Community in Austin.

I enjoy building successful business cultures that invest in the growth of people, learning new technologies, and understanding what drives people to perform at their optimal level then driving the behaviors that engage people to exceed expectations. I enjoy coaching others to avoid reactive behaviors and instead work towards the behavior that proactively leads to excellence.”

Dr. Anyee` D. Payne is a powerhouse leader. She inspires leaders and aspiring leaders to become

#organizedleaders, who identify priorities, develop action plans, and delegate tasks that catapult

the organization’s culture and academic growth. With this leadership model, she serves as

principal of a high performing, internationally STEM certified school.

Additionally, she has earned state recognition from the Governor’s Office of Student

Achievement for student growth. Additionally, Dr. Payne has secured millions of dollars in grant

funding for STEM based instruction, afterschool, and summer programs.

Dr. Payne began her educational career as a kindergarten teacher. Throughout her career, she has

held various instructional, support, and leadership roles; including Reading Instructional Coach,

Instructional Liaison Specialist, Leadership Support Specialist, and Assistant Principal.

Dr. Payne holds a bachelor’s of science degree in Early Childhood Education from Georgia

Southern University. She obtained a master’s of education degree in Curriculum and Instruction

from Central Michigan University, and a doctor of philosophy degree in Educational Leadership

from Mercer University. She fulfilled her ultimate dream which was completing the Harvard

University’s Graduate School of Education’s National Institute of Urban School Leaders

program.Dr. Payne’s balance in life are her devoted husband Michael and daughter Avery.

Chanel Johnson is from Atlanta, Georgia, and currently lives in Atlanta as a Science Specialist for the 5th largest district. She has served countless students and educators since 2009, focusing on the areas of math, science, instructional technology, and coaching. Whether teaching students or teaching adults, her passion is to teach and ignite all voices so that they are heard. She believes in developing digital age learners and digital age educators by stimulating a culture of empowered learners through applying 5 C’s ( Creativity, Collaboration, Citizenship, Communication, and Critical Thinking). Her passion is to show stakeholders how with current researched-based instructional strategies, empowering all learners’ voices, especially those often silenced, fostering a dedicated community. All learners can meet their highest potential. Chanel usually develops and executes professional development around the implementation of content and instructional technology fluently. She believes instruction consists of Standards-Aligned Content, Appropriate Pedagogy, and Technology Integration. The most crucial factor is to remember we are teaching the child before the content.

Chanel believes in the power of community and collaboration through being a part of countless professional learning networks often sparked from social media platforms such as Twitter. You can follow Chanel on Twitter as Dc_stemtastic. She has conducted several professional developments in training coaches, educators, and instructional leaders towards using the most appropriate technology to empower all voices in science education. She has presented at countless national and local conferences, served as an ASCD’s Emerging 2019 Leader. Chanel is also the newly appointed Vice President for GSTA ( Georgia Science Teacher Association), ISTE Certified Educator, Microsoft Innovative Educator Expert, Google Certified Level 1, Flipgrid Ambassador, Nearpod Advanced Educator, and countless more accolades.

On a personal level, Chanel is a proud wife to her husband, Martin. Mother to three kids, Shaylyn, a set of Twins, Christian, and Chloe and Proud member of SIgma Gamma Rho Incorporated