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School Climate & Culture Forum Atlanta Speakers
Gerry Brooks: YouTube Sensation & Real-World Educator & Author of Go See the Principal
Long before Gerry Brooks made YouTube videos, he was a regular, fun-loving, principal at an elementary school in Lexington, Kentucky. His educational experience includes six years in the classroom, two years as an intervention specialist, and 12 years as an administrator. Gerry is a passionate public speaker whose focus is on encouraging and helping teachers improve their instructional abilities via climate and culture strategies and helping administrators successfully lead their staff in a positive and constructive manner. His following of more than 500,000 people on social media has developed through humorous videos that focus on real-world educational experiences.
Ron Clark: "America's Educator," NYTimes Bestselling Author, Disney's American Teacher of the Year
Known to many as "America's Educator," Ron Clark is the 2000 Disney American Teacher of the Year, a two-time New York Times Bestselling author, the subject of a television movie and the founder of The Ron Clark Academy. Ron is regularly featured on network and cable television and was dubbed by Oprah Winfrey as her first "Phenomenal Man."
Early in his career, Ron pioneered innovative projects in rural North Carolina working with minority students in a low wealth area. His highly effective programs garnered national attention and led to a White House invitation. After watching a television piece chronicling low test scores and the lack of teachers in inner-city New York, Ron packed his car and moved to Harlem. Ron prepared himself by visiting the home of each student before the first day of school. He involved his students in projects in the city and state, and his "low achievers" soon began to excel; by the end of the year, their scores were higher than the "gifted" classes in his district. In 2003, Ron Clark released the New York Times Bestseller, The Essential 55, which includes his 55 expectations of students – as well as all individuals – young and old. Obviously, Ron Clark did not stop there. In 2006, Ron Clark founded The Ron Clark Academy, an inner-city school serving students from across metro Atlanta. The privately funded institution is unique for its innovative teaching methods and curriculum based on worldwide travel. Each year the students apply their in-class lessons to international adventures. By the time of graduation, each child will have visited six of the seven continents. Almost 50,000 educators, teachers and administrators from around the world have visited the Academy to observe the innovative and "outside-the-box" methods for achieving student success. In 2011, Ron Clark released The End of Molasses Classes: Getting Our Kids Unstuck--101 Extraordinary Solutions for Parents and Teachers. This New York Times Bestseller brought to light 101 innovative and classroom-tested ways for improving America's schools and leading children to greatness. In his most recent release, Move Your Bus: An Extraordinary New Approach to Accelerating Success in Work and Life.
Steph Jensen: International Speaker, Award-Winning Author & Consultant on Social-Emotional Learning
Steph Jensen, MS, LPC is an award-winning author and international speaker recognized for her insight and understanding of relational aggression. She combines 15 years of practice in the fields of education and counseling with research, practical strategies and humor to address challenging behaviors and build positive relationships with kids. She has held positions as classroom teacher, education consultant and international speaker. She holds a master’s degree in clinical counseling, focusing her efforts on adolescent and family issues.
In recent years, Stephanie has applied her passion for adolescents to focus on the dynamics of relational aggression, social-emotional learning, and positive behavior interventions. She is the author of Thrive in the Hive: Surviving the Girl’s World of Good and Bad Relationship Bee-haviors, Mom’s Choice Award-winning Princess Priscilla and the Bully-Bee Day, Princess Priscilla and the Mood Ring Rainbow and her latest Princess Priscilla and the Great Beezilla!
Baruti Kafele: School Turnaround Specialist, Author of Closing the Attitude Gap and The Principal 50
One of the most sought-after education speakers in America, Baruti Kafele is impacting America’s schools! An expert in the area of “attitude transformation,” Principal Kafele is a leading authority for providing effective classroom and school leadership strategies toward closing what he coined “The Attitude Gap.” As a middle and high school principal, Principal Kafele led the transformation of four different New Jersey urban schools, including “The Mighty” Newark Tech, which went from a low-performing school in need of improvement to national recognition, including being recognized three times by U.S. News and World Report as one of America’s best high schools. A prolific writer, he is the author of eight books which include his national bestsellers Closing the Attitude Gap, Motivating Black Males to Achieve in School and in Life, The Principal 50 and The Teacher 50. His 9th book, Is Your School Better BECAUSE You Lead It? is forthcoming. Principal Kafele is the recipient of more than 150 educational, professional and community awards which include the prestigious Milken National Educator Award, the National Alliance of Black School Educators Hall of Fame Award, and induction into the East Orange, NJ Hall of Fame.
Larry Thompson: Supportive Discipline Innovator, Creator of Responsibility-Centered Discipline
A recognized thought leader on supportive and non-exclusionary discipline practices, Larry Thompson, M.Ed., is often called upon to deliver keynote presentations for state and national education conferences because of his knowledge, humor and passion for assisting today’s students. He has helped thousands of educators and schools throughout North America break away from their traditional discipline models to a model that creates a responsible climate and responsible students. Larry has served in a wide variety of roles in education – from special education teacher to alternative and traditional high school principal. As creator of the Responsibility-Centered Discipline program, Larry understands that systems must be created that can be realistically implemented and sustained. He is the author of Give 'em Five (Elementary & Secondary) and Roadmap to Responsibility.
For more information on the November Virtual speakers click here.
School Climate & Culture Forum New York Speakers
Dr. Pedro Noguera: Dean of USC Rossier School of Education, Bestselling Author, Expert on the Impact of Society & Culture on Schools
Dr. Pedro Noguera is currently Dean of the Rossier School of Education at the University of Southern California. A sociologist, he is an expert on the ways in which schools are influenced by social and economic conditions, as well as demographic trends. He is the author, co-author or editor of 13 books, including his most recent publications: The Crisis of Connection: Roots, Consequence and Solutions and Race, Equity and Education: Sixty Years from Brown. He has published more than 250 research articles, book chapters and editorials in major newspapers. He serves on the boards of numerous national and local organizations, including the Economic Policy Institute, the National Equity Project and The Nation. Dr. Noguera appears as a regular commentator on CNN, MSNBC, NPR and other media outlets, and his editorials on educational issues have appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, The Dallas Morning News and Los Angeles Times. Prior to being appointed Dean of the USC Rossier School of Education, Dr. Noguera served as a Distinguished Professor of Education at the Graduate School of Education and Information Studies at UCLA. He has also served as a tenured professor and holder of endowed chairs at NYU, Harvard and Cal Berkeley. Dr. Noguera was recently appointed to serve as a special advisor to the governor of New Mexico and advises the departments of education in Washington, Oregon and Nevada. He is a member of the National Academy of Education and the Phi Delta Kappa honor society and was recently elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. He holds seven honorary doctorates from American universities.
Barbara Coloroso: Bestselling author, international speaker
Barbara Coloroso is a New York Times bestselling author and an internationally recognized speaker and consultant on social-emotional learning, teaching, discipline, school climate, bullying, nonviolent conflict resolution, restorative justice and parenting. She has appeared on Oprah, CBS, NBC, ABC, CNN and NPR and has been featured in Time, U.S. News & World Report, Newsweek and other national and international publications. Her uniquely effective teaching and parenting strategies were developed through her years of training in sociology, special education and philosophy, as well as field-tested through her experiences as a classroom teacher, laboratory school instructor, university instructor, seminar leader and mother of three grown children. She is the author of four international bestsellers: kids are worth it! Giving Your Child the Gift of Inner Discipline; Parenting Through Crisis: Helping Kids in Times of Loss, Grief and Change; The Bully, the Bullied and the Not-So-Innocent Bystander: Breaking The Cycle of Violence and Creating More Deeply Caring Communities; and Just Because It’s Not Wrong Doesn’t Make It Right: From Toddlers to Teens, Teaching Kids to Think and Act Ethically.
Dr. Ronald Gonzalez: Student Engagement Advocate, Award-Winning Administrator in a High-Needs Environment
Dr. Ronald Gonzalez has led transformation efforts at Mount Vernon High School in the New York City metro area for the past 11 years. His leadership has resulted in improvements in student performance, staff stability and community outcomes. He attributes much of his success to building systems, developing teacher talent and using student voice as an agent of change. Dr. Gonzalez' doctoral research focused on the impact of seat time for Black and economically disadvantaged students. At Mount Vernon, he has led the expansion of career programs including culinary arts, barbering and certified nursing assistant. Based upon his belief in equity and access. Dr. Gonzalez successfully implemented the International Baccalaureate program with open enrollment for all students.
Larry Thompson: Supportive Discipline Innovator, Creator of Responsibility-Centered Discipline
A recognized thought leader on supportive and non-exclusionary discipline practices, Larry Thompson, M.Ed., is often called upon to deliver keynote presentations for state and national education conferences because of his knowledge, humor and passion for assisting today’s students. He has helped thousands of educators and schools throughout North America break away from their traditional discipline models to a model that creates a responsible climate and responsible students. Larry has served in a wide variety of roles in education – from special education teacher to alternative and traditional high school principal. As creator of the Responsibility-Centered Discipline program, Larry understands that systems must be created that can be realistically implemented and sustained. He is the author of Give 'em Five (Elementary & Secondary) and Roadmap to Responsibility.
Dr. William Noel: District Director of Student Support, National Speaker & Consultant
"The two most important days of your life are the day you were born, and the day you find out WHY.” This quote from Mark Twain perfectly captures Dr. William Noel’s personal calling and dedication to working with children. That higher calling and dedication is why Dr. Noel remains committed to being an influential role model for all students, but especially for the (sometimes) Hard-to-Reach students. Dr. Noel emphasizes the importance of connecting with those students through establishing genuine relationships, and teaching them to make better decisions. He would be the first person to debate that knowing WHO you teach may be more important than WHAT you teach. Dr. Noel began his journey in education as a substitute teacher, then as an alternative education teacher, social studies teacher, coach, assistant principal, and now district director of student support and disciplinary review. When asked by a colleague if he was going to miss teaching, Dr. Noel replied, “I will always be a teacher; just no longer from a classroom."
For more information on the November Virtual speakers click here.
School Climate & Culture Forum Las Vegas Speakers
Las Vegas 2022 Speaker information coming soon.
Dr. Pedro Noguera: Dean of USC Rossier School of Education, Bestselling Author, Expert on the Impact of Society & Culture on Schools
Dr. Pedro Noguera is currently Dean of the Rossier School of Education at the University of Southern California. A sociologist, he is an expert on the ways in which schools are influenced by social and economic conditions, as well as demographic trends. He is the author, co-author or editor of 13 books, including his most recent publications: The Crisis of Connection: Roots, Consequence and Solutions and Race, Equity and Education: Sixty Years from Brown. He has published more than 250 research articles, book chapters and editorials in major newspapers. He serves on the boards of numerous national and local organizations, including the Economic Policy Institute, the National Equity Project and The Nation. Dr. Noguera appears as a regular commentator on CNN, MSNBC, NPR and other media outlets, and his editorials on educational issues have appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, The Dallas Morning News and Los Angeles Times. Prior to being appointed Dean of the USC Rossier School of Education, Dr. Noguera served as a Distinguished Professor of Education at the Graduate School of Education and Information Studies at UCLA. He has also served as a tenured professor and holder of endowed chairs at NYU, Harvard and Cal Berkeley. Dr. Noguera was recently appointed to serve as a special advisor to the governor of New Mexico and advises the departments of education in Washington, Oregon and Nevada. He is a member of the National Academy of Education and the Phi Delta Kappa honor society and was recently elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. He holds seven honorary doctorates from American universities.
Barbara Coloroso: Bestselling author, international speaker
Barbara Coloroso is a New York Times bestselling author and an internationally recognized speaker and consultant on social-emotional learning, teaching, discipline, school climate, bullying, nonviolent conflict resolution, restorative justice and parenting. She has appeared on Oprah, CBS, NBC, ABC, CNN and NPR and has been featured in Time, U.S. News & World Report, Newsweek and other national and international publications. Her uniquely effective teaching and parenting strategies were developed through her years of training in sociology, special education and philosophy, as well as field-tested through her experiences as a classroom teacher, laboratory school instructor, university instructor, seminar leader and mother of three grown children. She is the author of four international bestsellers: kids are worth it! Giving Your Child the Gift of Inner Discipline; Parenting Through Crisis: Helping Kids in Times of Loss, Grief and Change; The Bully, the Bullied and the Not-So-Innocent Bystander: Breaking The Cycle of Violence and Creating More Deeply Caring Communities; and Just Because It’s Not Wrong Doesn’t Make It Right: From Toddlers to Teens, Teaching Kids to Think and Act Ethically.
Dr. Ronald Gonzalez: Student Engagement Advocate, Award-Winning Administrator in a High-Needs Environment
Dr. Ronald Gonzalez has led transformation efforts at Mount Vernon High School in the New York City metro area for the past 11 years. His leadership has resulted in improvements in student performance, staff stability and community outcomes. He attributes much of his success to building systems, developing teacher talent and using student voice as an agent of change. Dr. Gonzalez' doctoral research focused on the impact of seat time for Black and economically disadvantaged students. At Mount Vernon, he has led the expansion of career programs including culinary arts, barbering and certified nursing assistant. Based upon his belief in equity and access. Dr. Gonzalez successfully implemented the International Baccalaureate program with open enrollment for all students.
Larry Thompson: Supportive Discipline Innovator, Creator of Responsibility-Centered Discipline
A recognized thought leader on supportive and non-exclusionary discipline practices, Larry Thompson, M.Ed., is often called upon to deliver keynote presentations for state and national education conferences because of his knowledge, humor and passion for assisting today’s students. He has helped thousands of educators and schools throughout North America break away from their traditional discipline models to a model that creates a responsible climate and responsible students. Larry has served in a wide variety of roles in education – from special education teacher to alternative and traditional high school principal. As creator of the Responsibility-Centered Discipline program, Larry understands that systems must be created that can be realistically implemented and sustained. He is the author of Give 'em Five (Elementary & Secondary) and Roadmap to Responsibility.
Dr. William Noel: District Director of Student Support, National Speaker & Consultant
"The two most important days of your life are the day you were born, and the day you find out WHY.” This quote from Mark Twain perfectly captures Dr. William Noel’s personal calling and dedication to working with children. That higher calling and dedication is why Dr. Noel remains committed to being an influential role model for all students, but especially for the (sometimes) Hard-to-Reach students. Dr. Noel emphasizes the importance of connecting with those students through establishing genuine relationships, and teaching them to make better decisions. He would be the first person to debate that knowing WHO you teach may be more important than WHAT you teach. Dr. Noel began his journey in education as a substitute teacher, then as an alternative education teacher, social studies teacher, coach, assistant principal, and now district director of student support and disciplinary review. When asked by a colleague if he was going to miss teaching, Dr. Noel replied, “I will always be a teacher; just no longer from a classroom."
School Climate & Culture Forum San Antonio Speakers
San Antonio 2022 Speaker information coming soon.
Dr. Pedro Noguera: Dean of USC Rossier School of Education, Bestselling Author, Expert on the Impact of Society & Culture on Schools
Dr. Pedro Noguera is currently Dean of the Rossier School of Education at the University of Southern California. A sociologist, he is an expert on the ways in which schools are influenced by social and economic conditions, as well as demographic trends. He is the author, co-author or editor of 13 books, including his most recent publications: The Crisis of Connection: Roots, Consequence and Solutions and Race, Equity and Education: Sixty Years from Brown. He has published more than 250 research articles, book chapters and editorials in major newspapers. He serves on the boards of numerous national and local organizations, including the Economic Policy Institute, the National Equity Project and The Nation. Dr. Noguera appears as a regular commentator on CNN, MSNBC, NPR and other media outlets, and his editorials on educational issues have appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, The Dallas Morning News and Los Angeles Times. Prior to being appointed Dean of the USC Rossier School of Education, Dr. Noguera served as a Distinguished Professor of Education at the Graduate School of Education and Information Studies at UCLA. He has also served as a tenured professor and holder of endowed chairs at NYU, Harvard and Cal Berkeley. Dr. Noguera was recently appointed to serve as a special advisor to the governor of New Mexico and advises the departments of education in Washington, Oregon and Nevada. He is a member of the National Academy of Education and the Phi Delta Kappa honor society and was recently elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. He holds seven honorary doctorates from American universities.
Barbara Coloroso: Bestselling author, international speaker
Barbara Coloroso is a New York Times bestselling author and an internationally recognized speaker and consultant on social-emotional learning, teaching, discipline, school climate, bullying, nonviolent conflict resolution, restorative justice and parenting. She has appeared on Oprah, CBS, NBC, ABC, CNN and NPR and has been featured in Time, U.S. News & World Report, Newsweek and other national and international publications. Her uniquely effective teaching and parenting strategies were developed through her years of training in sociology, special education and philosophy, as well as field-tested through her experiences as a classroom teacher, laboratory school instructor, university instructor, seminar leader and mother of three grown children. She is the author of four international bestsellers: kids are worth it! Giving Your Child the Gift of Inner Discipline; Parenting Through Crisis: Helping Kids in Times of Loss, Grief and Change; The Bully, the Bullied and the Not-So-Innocent Bystander: Breaking The Cycle of Violence and Creating More Deeply Caring Communities; and Just Because It’s Not Wrong Doesn’t Make It Right: From Toddlers to Teens, Teaching Kids to Think and Act Ethically.
Dr. Ronald Gonzalez: Student Engagement Advocate, Award-Winning Administrator in a High-Needs Environment
Dr. Ronald Gonzalez has led transformation efforts at Mount Vernon High School in the New York City metro area for the past 11 years. His leadership has resulted in improvements in student performance, staff stability and community outcomes. He attributes much of his success to building systems, developing teacher talent and using student voice as an agent of change. Dr. Gonzalez' doctoral research focused on the impact of seat time for Black and economically disadvantaged students. At Mount Vernon, he has led the expansion of career programs including culinary arts, barbering and certified nursing assistant. Based upon his belief in equity and access. Dr. Gonzalez successfully implemented the International Baccalaureate program with open enrollment for all students.
Larry Thompson: Supportive Discipline Innovator, Creator of Responsibility-Centered Discipline
A recognized thought leader on supportive and non-exclusionary discipline practices, Larry Thompson, M.Ed., is often called upon to deliver keynote presentations for state and national education conferences because of his knowledge, humor and passion for assisting today’s students. He has helped thousands of educators and schools throughout North America break away from their traditional discipline models to a model that creates a responsible climate and responsible students. Larry has served in a wide variety of roles in education – from special education teacher to alternative and traditional high school principal. As creator of the Responsibility-Centered Discipline program, Larry understands that systems must be created that can be realistically implemented and sustained. He is the author of Give 'em Five (Elementary & Secondary) and Roadmap to Responsibility.
Dr. William Noel: District Director of Student Support, National Speaker & Consultant
"The two most important days of your life are the day you were born, and the day you find out WHY.” This quote from Mark Twain perfectly captures Dr. William Noel’s personal calling and dedication to working with children. That higher calling and dedication is why Dr. Noel remains committed to being an influential role model for all students, but especially for the (sometimes) Hard-to-Reach students. Dr. Noel emphasizes the importance of connecting with those students through establishing genuine relationships, and teaching them to make better decisions. He would be the first person to debate that knowing WHO you teach may be more important than WHAT you teach. Dr. Noel began his journey in education as a substitute teacher, then as an alternative education teacher, social studies teacher, coach, assistant principal, and now district director of student support and disciplinary review. When asked by a colleague if he was going to miss teaching, Dr. Noel replied, “I will always be a teacher; just no longer from a classroom."