I offer two speaking and professional development services:
- An all-day literacy instruction workshop, ideal for grades 5-12 and applicable across the content areas. I call it The Non-Freaked Out Approach to Literacy Instruction, and it's essentially a live exploration of the ideas in my book, These 6 Things: How to Focus Your Teaching on What Matters Most.
- For more information, click here. This workshop is born out of extensive study of a variety of literacy standards, including the work that led to my first book.
- A range of keynote topics with accompanying, same-day break-out session options. Keynote packages allow for flexible, customized implementation of portions of my two all-day workshops.
- For more information, click here.
Feedback from past participants
I appreciate your candidness and can only say please continue to deliver PD in the same straight-forward manner.
- Matt of Attica, NY (high school ELA)
I most appreciated your total understanding of a teacher's job because you ARE a teacher. What a difference that makes in PD.
- Pattie L. of Turlock, California (6th grade, all subjects)
You are honest, and that means a lot since you are in the trenches like us. You know the challenges.
- Heather N. of California (AgBio, Environmenal Horticulture, and Animal Science high school teacher)
I appreciated your wit, your sense of humor, and your relaxed sense of being. Your students must love you!
- Jane D. of California (5th grade social studies)
I appreciated that you gave us just the right amount of time for table discussions and action planning; you also showed us video of some of the strategies as you use them in your own classroom.
- Monica H. of California (English 9 teacher)
Key facts
- I'm a 9th grade history and English teacher from Cedar Springs, MI.
- I began my teaching career in 2006.
- I've written three books: one on a focused approach to literacy and mastery across the school day (Corwin Literacy), one on literacy standards (Jossey-Bass Wiley), and one on teacher mindset (self-published).
- I've keynoted at state-level conferences and universities, led workshops for teachers around the country, received a national Teacher Innovator Grant from Character Lab, and been twice recognized as a finalist for Michigan Teacher of the Year.
- My resume.
My experience as a speaker and PD facilitator
Here are the speaking/training engagements I've done since the start of 2013. These speak to my ability as a PD facilitator as well as my ability to speak to larger audiences in keynote settings. To learn more about me, check out davestuartjr.com.
98., 99., and 100. October 24, 2018: Arkansas City, KS for Engage AC 2
- Keynote: The Secret Sauce in High-Powered Learners
- Breakout: Article of the Week — What I've Learned Using Gallagher's Assignment Over the Years
- Breakout: Pop-Up Debate — Getting Kids Arguing in an Earnest, Amicable Way
97. October 8, 2018: Middletown, DE
- Workshop: Let's Do Better: Increasing the Quantity and Quality of Writing and Reading Across the School Day
- Entire middle school staff
96. August 23, 2018: Casper, WY
- Workshop: These 6 Things: How to Focus Your Teaching on What Matters Most
- Entire high school staff
95. June 30, 2018: Boise, ID for the Craft + Commerce Conference
- Workshop: Teaching Toward Transformation
94. April 27, 2018: Hailey, ID for the Passports and Passages Symposium — Writing as a Bridge between High School, College, and the World
- Keynote: More Writing, Less Stress
93. March 5, 2018: Grand Rapids, MI for the Fire Up Conference for Student Teachers
- Keynote: Three Essential Dispositions for Early (and Late) Career Teachers
90., 91., and 92. November 17 and 18, 2017: St. Louis, MO for the Annual NCTE Conference
- Ignite Talk: “Belief Drives Behavior”
- Panel Session: “Reclaiming Our Voices: Creating Agency at the Student, Curricular, Departmental, and National Levels”
- Panel Session: “Doing More Isn't Doing Better: How to Be a Teacher and Have a Life”
88. and 89. November 3 and 4, 2017: Wausau, WI and Madison, WI: Literacy Institute of the Wisconsin Reading Association
- Topic: The Everest Framework: A Non-Freaked Out Approach to Literacy and Mastery Across the School Day
87. October 21, 2017: Normal, IL, Annual Conference of the Illinois Association of English Teachers
- Keynote: “Never Finished: Continually Becoming the Teachers We Hoped We'd Be (and Staying Sane in the Process)”
86. October 10, 2017: Palatine, IL, High School District 211
- All-day Workshop: “The Everest Framework: A Non-Freaked Out Approach to Literacy and Mastery Across the School Day”
85. October 7, 2017: Denver, CO, Regional Conference of the Colorado Language Arts Society
- Keynote: “Never Finished: Continually Becoming the Teachers We Hoped We'd Be (and Staying Sane in the Process)”
84. August 16, 2017: Dearborn, MI
- All-day literacy workshop at Divine Child High School
83. August 15, 2017: Beavercreek, OH
- Morning 3-hour session on writing with science and social studies teachers, grades 6-8
- Afternoon 3-hour session on writing with ELA teachers, grades 6-8
82. August 14, 2017: Houston, TX
- All-day literacy workshop for Harmony Public Schools
81. August 9, 2017: Turtle Lake, WI
- All-day literacy workshop for CESA 11
80. August 1, 2017: Weston, MO
- All-day literacy workshop for teachers grades 5-12
78. & 79. July 25-26, 2017: Murfreesboro, TN for Rutherford County Conference
- Two days, four 1-hour sessions per day
- Topics were chosen from literacy workshop segments and Never Finished
76. & 77. July 11-12, 2017: Las Vegas, NV for National Differentiated Instruction Conference
- Two days, four 1-hour sessions per day
- Topics ranged from Jedi Mind Tricks for Avoiding Burnout to Pop-Up Debate to Reading Purposefully and Often to Developing a Never-Finished Mindset
75. June 14, 2017: Cincinnati, OH
- All-day literacy workshop for regional teachers
74. May 23, 2017: Grand Rapids, MI for West Michigan AP Best Practices Conference
- Keynote: “Beliefs Drive Behavior: Improving Equity and Access through Noncognitive Factors”
73. May 22, 2017: Flint, MI – Powers Catholic High School
- Reflective conversations with department chairs on the academic school year and forward planning
72. March 19, 2017: Raleigh, NC for North Caroline Reading Association Conference
- Invited Institute: “A Non-Freaked Out Approach to Literacy Instruction: The Foundations Framework”
69., 70., & 71. February 13, February 22, and March 6, 2017: Flint, MI – Powers Catholic High School
- Contextual professional development days with English Language Arts, Social Studies, and Science departments, respectively; lab classroom set-up
66., 67., & 68. November 18 & 19, 2016: Atlanta, GA for Annual NCTE Conference
- Ignite Talk: “Defining Everest”
- Panel Session: “Argument and Advocacy: Using Speaking to Bring Both to the Classroom”
- Panel Session: “Doing More Isn't Doing Better: How to Be a Teacher and Have a Life”
65. November 8, 2016: DeSoto, MS
- Workshop, 6-12: “The Non-Freaked Out approach to Literacy Instruction”
64. October 17, 2016: Grand Rapids, MI for Fire Up Conference for Student Teachers
- Keynote: “The Four Non-Negotiable Teacher Mindsets”
- Session: “Jedi Mind Tricks for Avoiding Burnout”
63. October 11, 2016: Austin, TX for AMLE National Conference
- Session: “Three Birds with One Stone: Addressing Speaking, Argument, & Technology,” with Erik Palmer and Sandy Otto
60., 61., & 62. September 12, September 26, and October 3, 2016: Powers Catholic High School, Flint, MI
- Contextual professional development days with English Language Arts, Social Studies, and Science departments, respectively; lab classroom set-up
59. August 26, 2016: Grafton, WI
- Keynote (“Never Finished”) and workshop, all secondary staff
58. August 25, 2016: Genessee County Catholic Schools, Flint, MI
- Keynote, K-12: “Never Finished”
- Workshop, 6-12: “The Non-Freaked Out Approach to Literacy Instruction”
57. August 22, 2016: Dubuque, IA
- Keynote, K-12: “Never Finished”
- Sessions: “Character Strengths and the Science of Success” and “Reading Purposefully and Often”
56. August 19, 2016: Berwyn South, IL
- Keynote, K-8: “Never Finished”
- Sessions: “Writing Purposefully and Often” (middle school), “The Consortium Framework” (administrator's lunch)
55. August 18, 2016: Round Rock, TX
- Keynote, K-12: “Never Finished”
- Workshop, 9th grade social studies and ELA: “The Non-Freaked Out Approach to Literacy Instruction”
54. August 17, 2016: Desert Sands, CA
- Mini-workshops: “The Non-Freaked Out Approach to Literacy Instruction”
52. & 53. August 8 and 10, 2016: Flint, MI
- Administrator PD Facilitation, Coaching, and Needs Analysis
51. August 2, 2016: Dublin, OH
- Opening Keynote for two-day Leadership Institute
- Topic: Never Finished – Continually Becoming the Teachers We Want to Be
- Breakout Sessions: The Science of Success: Teaching Character in the Classroom; and Writing Purposefully and Often: Quantity, Quality, Feedback and Grading
49. & 50. July 19-20, 2016: Las Vegas, NV, National Differentiated Instruction Conference
- Two days, four 1-hour sessions per day
- Topics ranged from Jedi Mind Tricks for Avoiding Burnout to Pop-Up Debate to Reading Purposefully and Often to Developing a Never-Finished Mindset
48. July 14, 2016: National Network of State Teachers of the Year Conference, Chicago, IL
- Invited speaker, Expanding Teacher Leadership strand
- Topic: Leading from the Classroom through Teacher Blogging — The Most Important Lessons Learned in Four Years
47. June 21, 2016: Oshkosh, WI (virtual)
- Keynote for two-day disciplinary literacy workshop
- Topic: A Non-Freaked Out Approach to Disciplinary Literacy
46. June 8, 2016: Columbus, OH
- All-day workshop for Social Studies and English teachers
- Topic: A Non-Freaked Out Approach to Literacy Instruction Across the Content Areas
45. February 12, 2016: Centralia, IL; Tri-County Teacher Institute
- Four sessions on various topics around literacy, teacher leadership, and teaching success
44. December 4, 2015: Glassboro, NJ; Rowan University, South Jersey Literacy Consortium
- All-day workshop for English and Special Education teachers, grades 4-12
- Topic: A Non-Freaked Out Approach to Literacy Instruction and Student-Centered Learning
43. November 23-24, 2015: National Conference of Teacher of English in Minneapolis, MN
- Presenter: “Doing More Isn't Doing Better”
- Round-table presenter: “Speaking and Argument in the Secondary Classroom”
42. October 3, 2015: Virtual Education Symposium
- Opening keynote at event hosted by the American College of Education
- Topic: More Learning and Less Stress in the Digital Age
41. August 31, 2015: Plainwell, MI
- Keynote for entire district
- Topic: Never Finished — Continually Becoming the Teachers We Want to Be (and Staying Sane in the Process)
40. August 18, 2015: Bethel, WA
- All-day workshop for science, social studies, and career/technical skills teachers
- Topic: A Non-Freaked Out Approach to Literacy Instruction Across the Content Areas
39. August 17, 2015: Vancouver, WA; Language and Literacy Conference
- Keynote and breakout sessions
- Keynote topic: Character Strengths
- Breakout topic: A Non-Freaked Out Approach to Literacy Instruction Across the Content Areas
38. August 6, 2015: Mobile, AL
- High school staff workshop
- Topic: A Non-Freaked Out Approach to Literacy Instruction Across the Content Areas
37. August 4, 2015: Cleveland, OH, Breakthrough Schools Network PD Conference
- Breakout session for middle school and late elementary teachers across the content areas
- Topic: A Non-Freaked Out Approach to Literacy Instruction Across the Content Areas
36. July 19, 2015: St. Louis, MO, International Literacy Association Annual Conference
- Session topic: A Non-Freaked Out Approach to Literacy Instruction Across the Content Areas
34. & 35. July 9-10, 2015: Las Vegas, NV, National Differentiated Instruction Conference
- Two days, four 1-hour sessions per day
- Topics ranged from Jedi Mind Tricks for Avoiding Burnout to Debate Across the Content Areas to Reading Complex Texts
33. July 6, 2015: Parma, MI, NErD Camp
- Topic: Disciplinary Literacies: Bridging the Department Divide
- Co-presented with Erica Beaton
32. June 26, 2015: Rowan University in Glassboro, New Jersey
- All-day workshop for secondary teachers across the content areas
- Topic: A Non-Freaked Out Approach to Literacy Instruction Across the Content Areas
31. June 10, 2015: Eastern Illinois University in Charleston, IL
- Keynote & Breakout Session
- Topic: A Non-Freaked Out Approach to Literacy Instruction Across the Content Areas
30. May 22, 2015: Attica, NY
- Entire district: 1 hour literacy keynote
- Secondary math, science, business, and technology teachers: 1 hour literacy workshop
- Secondary social studies, ELA, Reading, language, and Special Education teachers: 3 hour literacy workshop
29. April 3, 2015: Turlock, CA
- 540 PK-12 teachers; 3 hour keynote-workshop hybrid
- Topic: A Non-Freaked Out Approach to Common Core Literacy Instruction
28. March 12-13, 2015: Sacramento, CA
- School board members and superintendents; Small School District's Association of California, Annual Conference
- Topic:
- A Non-Freaked Out Approach to Common Core Literacy Instruction
27. March 2, 2015: Allendale, MI
- Early Career Teachers; Fire Up Conference
- Topic:
- Jedi Mind Tricks for Avoiding Burnout
- Never Finished: 10 Tactics for Being Better, Saner Teachers
26. January 31, 2015: Turlock, CA
- Grades 5-12, Teachers across the content areas
- Topic: A Non-Freaked Out Approach to Common Core Literacy Instruction
25. January 23, 2015: Dearborn, MI
- Grades 9-12, Teachers across the content areas, excluding math
- Topic: A Non-Freaked Out Approach to Literacy Instruction + Afternoon PLC breakouts
24. November 15, 2014: Turlock, CA
- Grades 6-12, Teachers across the content areas
- Topic: A Non-Freaked Out Approach to Common Core Literacy Instruction
23. November 7, 2014: New Lothrop, MI
- Grades K-12, all teachers in the district
- Topic: Speaking, Listening, and Informational Texts
22. October 24, 2014: Turlock, CA
- Grades 6-12, Teachers across the content areas
- Topic: A Non-Freaked Out Approach to Common Core Literacy Instruction
21. October 20, 2014: Grand Rapids, MI
- Student teachers, K-12 across the content areas
- Three sessions:
- Jedi Mind Tricks for Avoiding Burnout (and Thriving Instead)
- Strategic Tips for Working Well with Adults in the First Year
- A Non-Freaked Out Approach to Common Core Literacy Instruction — What You Need to Know for Year One
20. October 4, 2014: Turlock, CA
- Grades 6-12, Teachers across the content areas
- Topic: A Non-Freaked Out Approach to Common Core Literacy Instruction
19. September 29, 2014: Dublin, OH
- Ohio Council for the Social Studies, Annual Conference
- Topic: Building a Classroom Culture of Argument: The Key to Literacy in All Spheres
18. August 19, 2014: Hartsburg, IL
- Hartsburg-Emden Schools
- K-12 audience, Non-Freaked Out Approach to Common Core Literacy Instruction
14., 15., 16., and 17. August 11, 12, 13, and 14: Independence, Bishop, and Turlock, CA
- Workshops in various “small school” and continuation school settings
- Topic: A Non-Freaked Out Approach to Common Core Literacy Instruction
13. August 6, 2014: Cleveland, OH
- Breakthrough Schools Network
- Keynote: A Non-Freaked Out Approach to the Common Core
- Breakout Session: Literacy Strategies for the 6-8 Classroom
12. July 19, 2014: Oak Brook Terrace, IL
- American College of Education
- “Teacher Leadership and Small Wins” — Alumni Achievement Award Acceptance Speech
11. June 12, 2014: Louisville, KY
- Archdiocese of Louisville
- “The Six Non-Freaked Out Common Core Literacy Instructional Emphases,” all-day PD
10. March 3, 2014: Allendale, MI
- Fire Up Spring Conference
- “Thriving in the Early Years of Teaching”
- “How to Use a Teacher Blog to Develop Yourself Professionally”
9. February 14, 2014: Cedar Springs, MI
- Cedar Springs Public Schools All-District Professional Development Day
- “Jedi Mind Tricks for Avoiding Burnout in the First Years of Teaching”
- “How to Build a Rewarding Teacher Blog”
8. October 25, 2013: Royal Oak, MI
- Elementary school, 3-hour PD session (co-led with Erica Beaton)
- “Close Reading: From Theory to the Nitty Gritty”
7. October 21, 2013: Grand Rapids, MI
- Fire Up Fall Conference
- Keynote address
- Breakouts
6. September 23, 2013: Peterborough, NH
- Staff Development for Educators
- “An Overview of the Non-Freaked Out Approach to Common Core Literacy Instruction”
5. August 9, 2013: Lebanon, MO
- High school staff, 6-hour PD session with whole-staff and PLC breakout sessions
- “A Non-Freaked Out Approach to the Common Core” plus discipline-specific breakouts
4. August 8, 2013: Harrah, OK
- Whole district, 3-hour PD session
- “A Non-Freaked Out Approach to the Common Core”
3. May 30, 2013: Cedar Springs, MI
- Commencement Address
- “Hard Work and Humility”
2. March 10, 2013: Grand Rapids, MI
- Michigan Reading Association Conference
- “Using Close Reading to Light Student Minds on Fire”
1. March 4, 2013: Allendale, MI
- Fire Up Spring Conference
- “Jedi Mind Tricks for Avoiding Burnout” and “Strategic Impact, Starting Now: Tips for First-Year Teachers”