Michael D. Koehler, Ph.D., was a teacher, counselor, and coach at Deerfield (IL) High School for 31 years and an adjunct professor of educational administration for 23 years. He has authored more than a dozen practical resources for educators with Prentice Hall and written and narrated a videotape for the College Board.

Karen E. Royer, M.A., is a former teacher at Mundelein (IL) High School, where she taught all levels of French, spearheaded the writing of one of the first "immersion" curricula in the state, and was one of the faculty who worked with students to initiate the First-Class character education program.