Keynotes and Workshops
Heart 2 Heart Teaching: Leaving An Enduring Legacy In The Lives of Our Students
In order to truly make a difference in the lives of our students we must go deeper than just our written curriculum – we must grab our kids by the heart, mold their future, and unleash their dreams and passions! The research is overwhelming yet most schools give the power of going to straight to the heart lip service at best. You will laugh and cry as you experience the moving and powerful message of “Heart 2 Heart Teaching” and, as a result, teachers will be prepared to help students soar!
Motivating and inspiring!!! Words can’t even begin to describe the impact you just left on me. You’re compassionate, kind-hearted, and it’s everything I want to be. What you said today is every reason why I want to teach…– Amanda Wilson
Going WILD – Building a Connection Between Our Kids, Ourselves, and the Land.
This keynote will motivate and give concrete strategies on how to help our students and our staff “reclaim their wildness” by using and connecting with the world around them as a learning resource and a way to truly build relationship.
Relationships, Connection, and the Wholehearted Kid
Kansas is ready to tackle a new accreditation model that will go far beyond just results on a state assessment. The first of the 5 “R’s” of the proposed accreditation model listed is “Relationships.” Research shows us there is amazing power in the 21st Century in understanding and building Relationships and Connections for students and staff. Connection is why we are here and is the key to deep learning. It gives purpose and meaning to our lives. It is how our brains are wired. Come ready to be moved as we start the journey into Relationships and Connections and strive to build Wholehearted students that will positively impact their lives.
The 7 (or so) Habits of the Effective But Slightly Stressed Out Educator!
This is a relaxing / informative / semi-humorous workshop for the educator or student who (on occasion) feels the world coming down around him or her. Although this workshop is loosely based on Covey’s “7 Habits of Effective Leaders,” the focus will shine a little light on the short life we live and how to put our days into perspective to maximize effectiveness as educators, students, or supporters.
Over 2 Decades of Mistakes! …or airing my dirty laundry
Success lies on the far side of failure! Steve airs his dirty laundry by sharing the mistakes he has made leading in education over the past twenty years and the greatness that rises out of the ashes. Steve is continually learning from his mistakes and is willing to share with you (in a semi-humorous way) so you can learn 1) that risking failure is essential for the extraordinary to happen, and 2) you don’t have to make the same mistakes Steve did…he’s been there for you already! Come ready to be moved to dare to be great!
Most powerful speaker I’ve ever heard.Kelsey Kessler
26,280 Days of Greatness!
26,280 days equals 72 years of living. Investing those days powerfully is the focus of this workshop. Coming to grip with the finite frees us to focus on what really counts in our lives, whether it be in our schools, our homes, or any place else that is a demand on our time. Participants will come away with a renewed vigor to make their 26,280 days count!
Thinking Different: A Renaissance in 21st Century Schools
We live in a whole new and different world than the one we grew up in. To be successful in this world, with our lives, our schools, and programs, we will have to dare to think “different!” Looking at research by Malcolm Gladwell, Daniel Pink, and others, we will look at how to use Design, Story, Symphony, Empathy, Play, and Meaning to impact our students in a whole new way that will prepare them for their future!
Going MAD! Changing Your World
This presentation actually was initially designed for students identified as “gifted” at a conference for them, but has been demanded by middle and secondary schools throughout the nation. Steve moves kids to follow to dare to be amazing at what they love to do while touching on living a life of service, kindness, and passion! Students will laugh and shed tears as Steve moves them toward entering their world “Going MAD”…Making A Difference!
Outliers! Students, Educators, and Schools that are known for being “outside the Normal Experience!”
Are you intrigued by people or schools who, for one reason or another, are so accomplished and so extraordinary and so outside of ordinary experience that they are as puzzling to the rest of us as a cold day in August? This session will explore the AMAZING and the OUT ON THE EDGE to discover what makes them so and how we can go there as well with our selves, our students, and schools.
Classroom Leadership
Many schools spend so much money on Classroom Management when what they really need is Classroom Leadership! You will leave this presentation with a mindset that will help you lead the level of students you are teaching toward an unforgettable learning experience. Steve will take theory into practice so that the teacher will gain actual effective practices that will help augment great learning experiences in the classroom.
Your talk today was absolutely amazing and definitely was inspiring to me.Kaylee Clements
Blinding Flashes of the Obvious!
As we watch kids work in our schools it has become obvious that in the absence of reward, most students perform just above punishment level. This workshop focuses on using the 4 R’s – Reward, Recognition, Respect, and Reinforcement – to achieve well beyond “punishment level” and create a powerful culture in your school that celebrates kids from the neck up more than from the neck down. These strategies have been proven to increase student performance, increase attendance, and elevate positive behavior in schools who run with these ideas.