Hi there. I'd love to partner with your organization in providing remote or in-person professional learning. Here are some topics I am available for (click for detailed descriptions):
- Workload and Pressure: Practical Methods for Reducing the Core Sources of Our Difficulties When Times Are Hard
- The Will to Learn: Practical Methods for Improving Motivation and Engagement in Virtual or In-Person Classrooms
- Building Stronger Teacher-Student Relationships in a Socially Distanced or Remote-Only Classroom (page coming soon)
Learn more about my approach and experience below, and then use the contact form at the very bottom of this page to be in touch.

In addition to my work as a classroom teacher, I research, develop, and deliver quality professional development experiences for schools and organizations all over the place. My areas of expertise are literacy and student motivation, and I can frame these topics around various district-level initiatives (e.g., technology, Title 1 initiatives, Multi-Tiered Systems of Support, PBIS, etc). I have extensive experience making professional development that is relevant and impactful to all attendees, and I work with all clients prior to my events to ensure that what I bring meets the needs and goals of your group.
To get an idea of my work, I recommend that school leaders invest in reading These 6 Things: How to Focus Your Teaching on What Matters Most. This book became a Corwin bestseller within a month and is beloved by teachers in dozens of countries around the world. If leaders are pressed for time, I recommend getting a copy of the book for your most avid on-staff professional reader, and then asking that person to read the book and let you know which of the chapters would most suit your staff. And if even that is too much, maybe reach out and tell me what you're dealing with — we'll schedule a call and see where it leads. I've done this a lot and will let you know if I don't see a fit between my expertise and your circumstances.
Below, you'll find a list of Frequently Asked Questions, below that you'll find a brief list of participant feedback, and below that you'll find a comprehensive list of my workshop/speaking experience to date. All the way at the bottom of this page, you'll see a contact form. Use that when you're ready to schedule a time to chat about your professional development or speaking needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Dave offer keynotes?
I delight in keynotes. I've given keynotes at various state-level conferences, and I was a Featured Speaker at the International Literacy Association's 2019 annual conference. This video does a good job giving a sense of my keynotes, although it is a bit dated.
When districts hire me, they sometimes like me to give a K-12 keynote to start off a PD day, and then they ask me to lead a breakout or two during the late morning and/or early afternoon that is specifically geared to secondary literacy. This format works quite well.
What happens when I contact Dave using the form at the bottom of this page?
When you complete the form at the bottom of this page, I receive an email. The more information you can give me about your needs, your district, and your timeline, the quicker our conversation can get productive. Once I receive your email, I like to set up a phone conversation to get to know the needs of your group better. In this conversation, we can discuss my latest rate information as well.
Once we transition from the inquiry phase to a contract, I like to schedule a conference call so that I have optimal clarity on what you and your team are hoping for from my visit. This allows me to build a dossier on your specific school/district/organizational needs, and I study this in advance of my visit to ensure a fit between the learning experience I bring and the unique culture of your group its journey.
When I'm in town for your event, I'm often asked by leadership groups to share a meal together. While I don't expect such a generous gift of your time, I do welcome the chance to break bread with and learn from you.
What's the best way to make use of Dave's visit?
The most powerful use of my visit is to have your teachers thinking about my work before I come. A school-sponsored study of my book, These 6 Things, always works well — as does a (more expensive, more in-depth) school-sponsored use of my all-online Student Motivation Course. You can also have your leaders begin forwarding blog articles I've written.
The more credible I am with your staff before I walk in, the quicker they'll be to listen to me. The more of my material that your staff knows in advance of my visit, the more they'll retain from our time together.
What does Dave do to ensure teacher engagement during a professional development session?
As an experienced classroom teacher and professional development facilitator, I intuitively monitor engagement throughout a session and make on-the-fly adjustments as needed. Like all good teachers, I incorporate illustrative anecdotes, practical examples (e.g., classroom video clips), and processing activities to ensure that real learning is taking place. For the researcher types in an audience, I cite all of my research and include generous references to articles, books, and studies for further exploration.
My goal in a given PD or speaking situation is for everyone to win: participants learn, leaving encouraged and equipped; the folks who hired me feel accomplished, having selected a guy who gave a great experience for all involved; and I win, because I've learned from your group and had my thinking sharpened by the questions and insights that come out of our time together.
What is Dave's speaking style like?
I've been described as “down to earth,” as someone who “gets it,” and as “the colleague down the hall.” If you're looking for edutainment, stand-up comedy, or emotionalism, I would recommend that you keep looking. I'm just an earnest colleague trying to get to the bottom of how we produce more learning in our schools with less stress for all of us. In general, teachers of all stripes really appreciate this, and I'm able to encourage buy-in for the essential work that sustained school improvement is built on.
Does Dave do administrative strategy work?
The volume of research, writing, and school visits that I've completed gives me a unique perspective that leadership teams often appreciate. I'm happy to talk with you more about an administrative series in which I work with your leadership team to clarify where the biggest opportunities lie for your school's quest to promote the long-term flourishing of young people. Use the contact form at the bottom of this page to get that conversation going.
Is there a flyer I can give to my administration to encourage them to contact Dave about coming to my school for PD?
As a matter of fact, there is. You can access it here.
Feedback from past participants
Best PD of my career.
Heather of Rio Rancho, NM
“Down to earth, engaging, authentic, practical.” These are just a few of the words my staff used in describing Dave after our recent workshop, which centered on the ideas presented in These Six Things.
In my nearly 20 years in education, I’ve experienced only a few PD opportunities that I would describe as transformational. Dave’s workshop was one of them!
Dave combines his deep, well-researched knowledge base with real-life examples from his own classroom and presents all of it with a level of sincerity, passion, clarity, and humility that are extraordinarily compelling.
Every teacher in your building will benefit from this workshop, not only because of Dave’s extensive focus on cultivating the right teaching mindset, but also because he works diligently to make applications across the curriculum.
In fact, within two days of his workshop, teachers in every department in our school were trying out a strategy or applying a principle that Dave presented to us. And not because we required it, but because they actually saw value and believed that Dave’s ideas could improve the quality of their teaching and help them remain joyful and invested in the work— for the long haul.
Dave was responsive, generous with his time and resources, and eager to ensure that he provided us with an experience tailored to our needs. I recommend him enthusiastically, and with every confidence that your school community will benefit in deeply-felt and long-lasting ways.
John Tanner, Alfred G. Waters Middle School, Delaware
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)
(I have former client references available upon request. Please request via the contact form at the bottom of this page.)
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.
143. October 24, 2020: Keynote for Rise Up Summit
- Motivating Students in 2020-2021 with Linda Kardemis
142. October 21, 2020: Recorded session for teachers and leaders
- “Ten (Or So) Things That Are Helping Right Now” (available for purchase for whatever price you'd like)
141. September 30, 2020: Grandville, MI for ResLife Church
140. August 19, 2020: East Grand Rapids, MI for East Grand Rapids Public Schools (high-flex synchronous, in-person + remote)
139. August 10, 2020: Redding, CA for Gateway Unified School District (remote)
138. August 2020: Cedar Springs, MI for Cedar Springs Public Schools (asynchronous)
137. August 5, 2020: South Dakota Council of Teachers of English (remote)
- Student motivation from a distance in the English classroom
136. August 5, 2020: Rio Rancho, NM (remote)
135. July 20, 2020: Wittenberg, WI (remote)
- Student Motivation, Come What May
134. May 5, 2020: Phnom Penh, Cambodia for the Logos school (remote)
- five key beliefs overview and exploration of how this thinking applies to our work now and in the future
133. March 10, 2020: St. George, UT for Washington County School District
- These 6 Things: How to Focus Our Teaching on What Matters Most
132. March 9, 2020: Linden, UT for Oak Canyon Junior High School
- The Five Key Beliefs beneath student motivation (and how they can apply to and inform the diverse work of a whole middle school staff!)
131. February 18, 2020: Muncie, IN for Northside Middle School
- Building walkthrough + admin strategy session + mini-PD on student motivation
130. February 14, 2020: Cedar Springs, MI for Cedar Springs Public Schools
- Opening remarks on teacher credibility for MTSS PD day
129. February 1, 2020: Ronan, MT for the Flathead Reservation
- Final These 6 Things PLC meeting — surprise visit!
128. January 25, 2020: Bakersfield, CA for RIAP
- More Writing, Less Stress: How to Focus Our Teaching on What Matters Most
127. January 20, 2020: St. Charles, MI for St. Charles Community Schools
- Keynote, K-12: the Five Key Beliefs beneath Student Engagement
- Breakout, 6-12: Improving literacy outcomes, secondary
- Breakout, PK-5: Improving literacy outcomes, elementary
126. December 3, 2019: Cedar Springs, MI for Cedar Springs Public Schools
- Session: Teacher Credibility
123., 124., 125. November 22 & 23: Baltimore, MD for the National Council of Teachers of English Annual Conference
- Roundtable: Thinking in Public: Teacher-Blogging as a Years-Long Inquiry Project
- Roundtable: How to Develop Teacher Credibility in the Early Career Years
- Respondent: The Case for Curious Feedback: How Feedback Influences Student Motivation
122. October 18, 2019: Gillett, WI for an All-Day Workshop as a guest of CESA 8
- Topic: These 6 Things: How to Focus Your Teaching on What Matters Most
121. October 12, 2019: New Orleans, LA for a Featured Speaker Slot at the International Literacy Association Annual Conference
- Topic: The Five Key Beliefs that Motivate Readers and Writers
120. September 16, 2019: Pablo, MT for an All-Day Workshop
- Topic: The Five Key Beliefs Beneath Student Motivation
119. August 20, 2019: Fremont, MI for an Afternoon PD
- Topic: Student Motivation
118. August 19, 2019: Bethel Park, PA for a Keynote and Breakouts
- Keynote: Student Motivation, Gr K-12
- Breakouts: These 6 Things in ELA and social studies
113., 114., 115., 116., and 117. June 2019: Brisbane, Australia as a guest of the Kingston Learning College
- Administrative strategy, student motivation training, one-on-one coaching (details here)
111. and 112. March 2, 2019: Columbus, OH for the OCTELA Annual Conference
- Keynote: The Five Key Beliefs: A Low-Stress, Science-Based Approach to Motivating Readers and Writers
- Session: Doing More Isn't Doing Better: How to Be an English Teacher and Have a Life
110. February 15, 2019: Cedar Springs, MI for a District-Level PD Day
- Session: The Five Key Beliefs Beneath Student Motivation
108. and 109. February 8, 2019: Denver, CO for the CCIRA Annual Conference
- Invited Session: These 6 Things: How to Focus Your Teaching on What Matters Most
- Invited Session: The Five Key Beliefs Beneath Student Motivation
106. and 107. January 28, 2019: Crystal Mountain, MI for Michigan Association of Secondary School Principals Conference
- Keynote: More Learning, Less Stress: A Simple, Science-based Approach to Improving Teacher Performance and Flourishing
- Breakout: These 6 Things: How to Focus Your Teaching on What Matters Most
105. January 22, 2019: Casper, WY
- Follow-Up PD: These 6 Things: How to Focus Your Teaching on What Matters Most
104. January 18, 2019: Collinsville, IL
- Workshop: These 6 Things: How to Focus Your Teaching on What Matters Most
- Secondary social studies and ELA staff
101., 102., and 103. November 16-18, 2019: Houston, TX for the Annual Conference of the National Council of Teachers of English
- Session: Doing More Isn't Doing Better: How to Be an English Teacher and Have a Life
- Session: Listening Arguments & Pop-Up Debates
- Session: Ignite talk: Student Motivation
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”