JOHN

John Seigel Boettner has yet to grow up. Being around kids for as long as he can remember, John’s calling has allowed him to bind work to play. Son, husband, and dad . . . teacher, student, and friend, John is a humble, wand-waving member of the good fairies — those charged with keeping alive the sparkle of wonder in children young and old . . . of noticing the extraordinary in the everyday . . . of holding hands  and genuflecting at the little altars around every corner.

For over forty years, John has been rediscovering joy, mystery, and excitement in classrooms of all kinds and in all kinds of places. John is the author of Hey Mom, Can I Ride My Bike Across America? the story of the crowning good and humanhood five kids discovered on their four month ride from sea to shining sea.

John is handing over the keys to his classroom fairydom, in hopes that he can sprinkle wonder to more kids by circling up with new teachers. Sharing stories of all the places he has been able to go with children, he hopes his map might inspire new wizards of awes to hold their wands high and sail to horizons where legends are waiting to be born.

John and his wife Lynn gratefully share their wild and precious lives in the multi-colored house with all the sea glass.  On a quiet morning you can hear the waves and smell the Pacific from their front porch.

DAVID

David Teton-Landis is a 29 year veteran of using digital technology to engage and tell stories. After starting with the first Macintosh and HyperCard, he went on to develop award-winning interactive applications for the State of Hawaii and the City of Kapolei as part of the team at Tom Coffman Multimedia. David ran his own business, LUMINOUS Interactive Digital Media, creative interactive educational content for the U.S. Navy and the Ellwood Monarch Preserve project of the Land Trust of Santa Barbara County, as well as video and web projects for commercial and non-profit organizations. In 2005 he joined the staff of Santa Barbara Middle School, where he is in charge of bringing digital technology to the classroom as Director of Educactional Technology. He also teaches digital media, animation, video production and game development to 6th-9th grade students. With fellow faculty member John Seigel-Boettner, he is the co-founder and co-producer of the innovative Teen Press program.

JAYDEN

• Quote: “A nation's culture resides in the hearts and in the soul of its people.”
  - Mahatma Gandhi
• Why Teen Press? I wanted to learn how to connect with people, and how to get them to tell their stories so that maybe a celebrity — or someone previously unknown by us — will get to say something that they have never said before. And maybe, if I am lucky, I will have a new friend.
• Dream Conversation: Stephen Hawking
• Inspiration: My Parents

NICOS

• Quote: “It is what it is.”
• Why Teen Press? I love stories, I kind of always have, I used to bug my mom for hours until she read me a book. Teen Press just goes out there and captures stories. Perfect for me.
• Dream Conversation: 50 Cent
• Inspiration: My Father

SOFIA

• Quote: “I’ve always dreamed of growing up and becoming Amy Poehler”
  - Amy Poehler
• Why Teen Press? Teen Press seemed like a really unique experience and I wanted to take my chances and see if I would get in.
• Dream Conversation: Gerard Way
• Inspiration: Story . . . Dad met Mom. Mom rejected Dad. Dad made Mom care package. Went on date.
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ELLA

• Quote: “I don’t mind if I have to sit on the floor at school. All I want is education and I am afraid of no one” - Malala Yousafazi
• Why Teen Press? I was interested in the opportunity to learn other people’s stories.
• Dream Conversation: Malala Yousafazi
• Inspiration: Malala Yousafazi

ALEXIS

• Quote: “There is no future, there is no past. I live this moment as my last. There's only us, there's only this; forget regret, or life is yours to miss, no other road, no other way, no day but today.” - Unknown
• Why Teen Press? I want the chance to visit with inspirational people and listen to their stories, and hopefully inspire other people with our story along the way.
• Dream Conversation: Tom Hanks
• Inspiration: Betsy Woods, Equestrian Trainer

BEN

• Quote: “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” - Mahatma Ghandi
• Why Teen Press? Because I will have the opportunity to visit with many interesting people and hear their stories.
• Dream Conversation: Will Farrell
• Inspiration: 50 Cent

FINNIAN

• Quote: “The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched - they must be felt with the heart.” -  Helen Keller
• Why Teen Press? I thought it was a great new adventure waiting to happen . . . I thought about how many new people I could meet, and how many new stories I could listen to.
• Dream Conversation: John Green
• Inspiration: Craig Kielberger

TATYM

• Quote: “If there is no struggle, there is no process.” - Frederick Douglass
• Why Teen Press? I want to hear stories. Everyone has a story, no matter if it is a small story, or a big story. Everyone can use their stories to inspire, create, and change other people’s lives.
• Dream Conversation: Runner Killian Jornet
• Inspiration: Runner Kayla Montgomery