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. 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”