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School Climate & Culture Forum Las Vegas 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.
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. Tiffany Anderson: Transformative Kansas Superintendent, Called “The Woman Who Made Schools Work for the Poor” by The Washington Post, USA Today Woman of the Year
Dr. Tiffany Anderson, a long-time Kansas resident, has been a public-school educator for over 26 years, with most of that time as superintendent. Dr. Anderson has been nationally recognized as one of Education Week’s 16 Leaders to Learn From. She has improved achievement and closed achievement gaps for students of poverty in rural, urban and suburban public-school districts. In 2016 she became the first African-American female superintendent of Topeka Public Schools, in Topeka, Kansas. In 2019, the Governor appointed Dr. Anderson to the Postsecondary Technical Authority as part of the Board of Regents and in 2020 Governor Kelly also appointed Dr. Anderson to co-chair the Commission on Racial Equity and Justice. Since Dr. Anderson arrived in Topeka, the district has earned three national Magna Awards, one of which is for their work in equity. Dr. Anderson serves on numerous boards in Topeka which include the Topeka Community Foundation, Rotary and The Greater Topeka Partnership. Prior to Kansas, as superintendent, Dr. Anderson led Montgomery County School District in Virginia and Jennings School District to full accreditation resulting in recognition from the Governor in the respective states. Since leading Topeka, ACT participation has increased, numerous new programs and schools have opened, academic performance has increased and partnerships offering expanded exposure to careers and college courses have increased. Dr. Anderson is a fierce advocate for equity. There are several documentaries and articles that have been produced about Dr. Anderson's leadership, and The Washington Post referred to her as, “The Woman who made schools work for the poor.” Dr. Anderson earned her undergraduate degree, and later her doctorate, from Saint Louis University in 2001. Dr. Anderson received her second doctorate, the Doctor of Humane Letters degree from Eden Theological Seminary, for her service to community and society and her Masters in Divinity will be completed in 2021 at Nazarene Theological Seminary. Dr. Anderson has served as adjunct faculty at various universities in Missouri and she is adjunct faculty for ASCD (Association for Schools and Curriculum Development). Some of the recognitions Dr. Anderson has received include the Lifetime Achievement Award for volunteerism from President Obama; the Salute to Excellence for Women awarded by the Urban League; the Stellar Performance Award by the St. Louis American, the 2020 Kansas Icon in Education by Ingram, and she was honored at the 2017 Oscars for the People with Purpose Award. Most recently, she was named Woman of the Year by USA Today.
School Climate & Culture Forum San Antonio Speakers
Ron Clark: "American's Educator," NYT Bestselling Author of Move Your Bus, 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.
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. Salome Thomas-EL: Internationally Recognized Speaker, Award-Winning Teacher, Principal & Chess Coach
Salome Thomas-EL, Ed.D. is an award-winning teacher and principal, and internationally recognized speaker and educator. Principal EL believes that resilient leaders make courageous decisions, take risks and challenge the status quo. He says transformational leaders shift mindsets and inspire others to effect change. Principal EL shares how to change school culture and foster positive school climate so teachers and leaders can focus on the protective processes that build resilience in students. Principal EL is currently a K-8 school leader in Delaware and speaks to groups around the world. He has addressed more than 100,000 educators, students and parents in North America, Nigeria, Trinidad, England, Jamaica and the Virgin Islands. and frequently appears on The Dr. Oz Show, CNN, and NPR radio. He was honored as an “Inspiring American Icon” by Reader’s Digest. Principal EL is the author of four books including the best-sellers I Choose to Stay and The Immortality of Influence.
Dr. Luis Cruz: Award-Winning Administrator, Author, Advocate for English Language Learners
Luis F. Cruz, PhD, is an advocate for helping English Language Learners succeed in school and in life. A former principal of Baldwin Park High School near Los Angeles, he has been a teacher and administrator at the elementary, middle and high school levels, earning both Teacher of the Year and Administrator of the Year awards. He and the leadership team at Baldwin Park received California's prestigious Golden Bell Award for significantly closing the achievement gap between the general student population and students learning English as a second language. As a recipient of the Hispanic Border Leadership Institute's fellowship for doctoral studies, he earned a doctorate in institutional leadership and policy studies from the University of California Riverside. Dr. Cruz is co-author of Time for Change: 4 Essential Skills for Transformational School and District Leaders.
School Climate & Culture Forum Orlando Speakers
Speakers to be announced.
Ron Clark: "American's Educator," NYT Bestselling Author of Move Your Bus, 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.
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. Salome Thomas-EL: Internationally Recognized Speaker, Award-Winning Teacher, Principal & Chess Coach
Salome Thomas-EL, Ed.D. is an award-winning teacher and principal, and internationally recognized speaker and educator. Principal EL believes that resilient leaders make courageous decisions, take risks and challenge the status quo. He says transformational leaders shift mindsets and inspire others to effect change. Principal EL shares how to change school culture and foster positive school climate so teachers and leaders can focus on the protective processes that build resilience in students. Principal EL is currently a K-8 school leader in Delaware and speaks to groups around the world. He has addressed more than 100,000 educators, students and parents in North America, Nigeria, Trinidad, England, Jamaica and the Virgin Islands. and frequently appears on The Dr. Oz Show, CNN, and NPR radio. He was honored as an “Inspiring American Icon” by Reader’s Digest. Principal EL is the author of four books including the best-sellers I Choose to Stay and The Immortality of Influence.
Dr. Luis Cruz: Award-Winning Administrator, Author, Advocate for English Language Learners
Luis F. Cruz, PhD, is an advocate for helping English Language Learners succeed in school and in life. A former principal of Baldwin Park High School near Los Angeles, he has been a teacher and administrator at the elementary, middle and high school levels, earning both Teacher of the Year and Administrator of the Year awards. He and the leadership team at Baldwin Park received California's prestigious Golden Bell Award for significantly closing the achievement gap between the general student population and students learning English as a second language. As a recipient of the Hispanic Border Leadership Institute's fellowship for doctoral studies, he earned a doctorate in institutional leadership and policy studies from the University of California Riverside. Dr. Cruz is co-author of Time for Change: 4 Essential Skills for Transformational School and District Leaders.