Dave Stuart Jr.

Let's make teaching better.

I speak and lead workshops for teachers around the country.

These are the live speaking and professional development services that I offer:

  • A literacy instruction workshop, ideal for grades 5-12 and applicable across the content areas. It's based on my book, These 6 Things: How to Focus Your Teaching on What Matters Most. Participants in over 25 US states have called it among the best PD they've ever had.
    • To learn more, definitely read the book (or at least buy it for that one teacher in your building who reads all the books so that they can read it and then tell you what they think). If you'd like a sense for my style, you can see this clip of me speaking live at an NCTE conference several years ago. What you will notice is that I am down to earth and straightforward. I don't bring a lot of singing and dancing and edutainment to the table. If that's what you're after, much love to you as you continue seeking a PD provider. Past audiences have appreciated my down-to-earth style.
  • Two keynotes: one on student motivation, one on teacher flourishing. The motivation keynote I've given this for teachers about students, and for administrators about teachers. It's based on the researched-laden “five key beliefs” framework that I teach in the second chapter of These 6 Things and in my all-online, schedule-friendly “Student Motivation Course,” which over half a thousand teachers worldwide have called career-shaping.

Note: The video above says I offer three speaking services. This video lies! I really only offer two these days, mainly because I want to give your school or organization the best possible experience, and I want to protect most of my time for teaching, researching, writing, and familying. The above video does give you a sense of my style, though — that's why I've left it up. 🙂

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.

110. and 111. 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

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”

To inquire about rates and dates, use the form below:

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