Meet the TEAM Behind Orange Sparrow
Orange Sparrow exists to help schools and communities create safe, relationship-centered environments where people feel seen, valued, connected, and empowered to grow. Behind the ecosystem is a team deeply committed to belonging, safety, human connection, compassion, and growth.
WHY ORANGE SPARROW EXISTS
We believe humans flourish in spaces where they feel: safe, connected, valued, respected, supported, and seen for who they are, as they are.
Orange Sparrow was created to help schools move beyond disconnected systems toward safe ecosystems rooted in belonging, connection, compassion, and growth.
Spaces are created through relationships, trust, safety, shared experiences, and human connection that is meaningful.
“No one flies alone!”
MEET THE TEAM
Orange Sparrow brings together educators, speakers, leaders, storytellers, and advocates committed to helping humans flourish through belonging, safety, connection, compassion, and growth.
DR. CHRISTOPHER S. CULVER
Founder + Visionary // Kindness Advocate and Kindness Researcher
Dr. Christopher Culver is an educator, speaker, consultant, and kindness advocate dedicated to helping schools and organizations create safe, relationship-centered environments where humans flourish. As the founder of Orange Sparrow, his work blends: neuroscience, safety, belonging, leadership, culture systems, human connection, and school transformation into an implementation-ready model.
With a record of nearly two decades of school and district improvement as a former classroom teacher, principal, associate superintendent, and part-time professor, Dr. Culver’s work is rooted in the belief that safe environments change outcomes for both students and adults. He earned his doctorate researching culture, motivation, and the impact on employee retention. He worked to move district and campuses 2+ grades on the state level report card.
Through storytelling, research, professional learning, and implementation systems, he helps schools operationalize belonging, emotional safety, connection, compassion, and growth in meaningful and sustainable ways. He believes if you can’t find the light, be the light, and kindness isn’t one more thing, it’s the thing that changes everything.
Featured Areas: The Science of Kindness, Leadership Development, Teacher Support, Belonging-Centered Work, Nervous System, Culture + Climate, Human Flourishing, Stress + Burnout, Tier I Systems, Embedded Coaching, Long-Term Coaching, Literacy Support, Strategies
CHAZ PEREZ
Top Youth Speaker // Turning Pain into Passion
The skill of "Turning Pain Into Passion" elevated Chaz Perez from years as a student in Special Education to speaking all over the world. As a seasoned professional speaker with a reach across four continents, he has created defining moments for audiences through his messages and leadership.
He has touched the lives of students, parents, educators, human traffickers, orphans, addicts, TEDx audiences, and leaders of many different spheres of influence worldwide. His unique international travels offer listeners a worldview-shifting experience. He now wants to speak to you, your students, parents, and your staff with unforgettable stories and proven research-based strategies that transform lives!
Chaz is a happy husband and proud father to six amazing children!
Featured Areas: Youth Development, Student Assemblies, Parent Engagement and Community Engagement, Leadership Development, Teacher Support, Belonging-Centered Work, Human Flourishing, Stress + Burnout
KATIE KINDER
That Teal Glasses Lady // Education Extraordinaire
Katie Kinder, author of Untold Teaching Truths, Hallway Leadership, and Culture First Classrooms, is a highly sought after professional learning facilitator and speaker; she has been an educator since 2006. She brings her message of hope, fun, and real strategies to educators all over the nation.
She believes that life is fun, and learning should most definitely be fun. Known nationwide for her signature teal glasses, Katie is an Education Award Winner, Speaker, Author, Professional Development Leader, a Mom, a Wife, and a Fierce Advocate for Education. She has learned a trick or two in the classroom, so come on in, and have some fun, and hook your students from day one!
Featured Areas: Engagement Strategies, The Family Classroom, New Teacher Support, Digital Addiction, Leadership Development, Teacher Support, Belonging-Centered Work, Culture + Climate, Human Flourishing, Stress + Burnout, Tier I Systems, Embedded Coaching, Long-Term Coaching, Literacy Support, and more!
GERARDO CASTILLO
School System Strategist // Custom Software + AI + Data Analytics
Gerardo Castillo is an educator and founder of GC Education Analytics, where he helps schools solve real operational challenges through custom software, deeper data analysis, and practical AI implementation. His work is focused on building tools that save time, improve clarity, and help educators act faster on what matters most.
A Harvard graduate and Teach For America alum, Gerardo has built more than 13 internal tools and workflows supporting MTSS, at-risk identification, testing, reporting, teacher coverage, and day-to-day school operations. His work is grounded in the belief that administrators should not have to spend hours sorting through spreadsheets just to understand what needs attention. School systems should make it easier to see what matters quickly, strengthen workflows, and create more space for the meaningful work of supporting students, staff, and school communities.
Through software, analytics, and training, Gerardo helps schools move beyond scattered spreadsheets and manual routines toward practical tools that strengthen decision-making and better support students.
Featured Areas: Custom School Software, School Data Analytics, AI Training for Administrators to automate workflows and create dashboards, MTSS Systems, At-Risk Identification, Workflow Automation, Reporting + Dashboards, School Operations
PAMELA BROUSSARD
Multilingual Learner Extraordinaire // Newcomers + Character Education
Pamela Broussard is a passionate speaker, presenter, and high school New Arrival Center teacher from Houston, Texas. She has more than 30 years of teaching experience ranging from elementary to master's degree prep courses. She has taught Regular Ed., Special Ed., ESL/EL/ML, SLIFE, and New Arrivals. She has taught in the USA and abroad.
In addition to teaching, she is Rotary International Peace Fellow. She has traveled to more than 35 countries including working in Afghanistan for seven years. She has spent time in: refugee camps, war zones, orphanages, trash heaps, and human trafficking zones. These experiences and training have given her a wealth of experience with character education, responsive teaching, belonging, trauma-informed teaching. She strongly believes and advocates for student agency, voice and leadership in their schools and their communities.
Featured Areas: Multilingual Education, Secondary ML/Newcomer Support, Newcomer Education, Belonging, Character Education, Engagement Strategies, Teacher Support, Belonging-Centered Work, Culture + Climate, Human Flourishing, Tier I Systems, Embedded Coaching, Long-Term Coaching, and more!
JAMES o’NEAL
Math Extraordinaire // NBCT + Award Winning Math Expert
James O’Neal, Jr is a highly experienced middle school math teacher with 15 years of experience, 8 of which were spent in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and the last 7 in Charlotte, North Carolina at Piedmont IB Middle School. He achieved National Board-Certification in 2018, and was named Piedmont's Teacher of the Year. He received his M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction with a focus in middle school mathematics from UNC-Charlotte in 2020.
In 2022, James was named a finalist for the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST), the highest award a math teacher can receive in the country. He founded Mastery For All, LLC to support all students in achieving their potential and sharing his message of high expectations and equitable outcomes through public speaking engagements around the country.
He is dedicated to creating an environment where students believe they can succeed, educators believe in their students, and parents have the resources to support their child's education. This is his driving force as an educator.
Featured Areas: PK-12 Math Consulting, Instructional Coaching, Curriculum Development, Curriculum Implementation Support, Coaching, Long-Term Coaching, Embedded Coaching, Walkthrough Support, Leadership Development, Professional Development, Belonging, Student Improved Outcomes, and more!
MEET THE FOREST FRIENDS
OLLIe, the orange sparrow
Ollie represents belonging, courage, kindness, and emotional growth. Through his journey, students and adults explore what it means to feel different, search for belonging, navigate emotions, and discover that who they are already matters
AZULITO, the BLUE BEE
Azulito represents encouragement, emotional support, friendship, and connection. He reminds students that even one safe and supportive relationship can change everything.
