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Innovative Teaching Strategies Conference San Antonio-
Featured Speakers
Dr. John Almarode
John Almarode has worked with schools, classrooms and teachers all over the world. He has presented locally, nationally and internationally on the application of the science of learning and has worked with hundreds of school districts and thousands of teachers. Dr. Almarode is currently the Director of Teaching and Learning at the James Madison University School of Education. In 2015, John was awarded the inaugural Sarah Mill Luck Endowed Professorship. He continues to work with pre‑service teachers and actively pursues his research interests including the science of learning as well as the design and measurement of classroom environments that promote student engagement and learning. The work of John and his colleagues has been presented to the U.S. Congress, the Virginia Senate, the U.S. Department of Education and the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. Dr. Almarode began his career teaching mathematics and science to a wide range of students. He has authored or co-authored nine books including
Ron Clark
Known to many as ""America's Educator,"" Ron Clark is the 2000 Disney American Teacher of the Year, a two-time New York Times Bestselling author, the subject of a television movie and the founder of The Ron Clark Academy. Ron is regularly featured on network and cable television and was dubbed by Oprah Winfrey as her first ""Phenomenal Man.""
Early in his career, Ron pioneered innovative projects in rural North Carolina working with minority students in a low wealth area. His highly effective programs garnered national attention and led to a White House invitation. After watching a television piece chronicling low test scores and the lack of teachers in inner-city New York, Ron packed his car and moved to Harlem. Ron prepared himself by visiting the home of each student before the first day of school. He involved his students in projects in the city and state, and his "low achievers" soon began to excel; by the end of the year, their scores were higher than the "gifted" classes in his district.
In 2003, Ron Clark released the New York Times Bestseller, The Essential 55, which includes his 55 expectations of students – as well as all individuals – young and old. Obviously, Ron Clark did not stop there. In 2006, Ron Clark founded The Ron Clark Academy, an inner-city school serving students from across metro Atlanta. The privately funded institution is unique for its innovative teaching methods and curriculum based on worldwide travel. Each year the students apply their in-class lessons to international adventures. By the time of graduation, each child will have visited six of the seven continents. Almost 50,000 educators, teachers and administrators from around the world have visited the Academy to observe the innovative and "outside-the-box" methods for achieving student success.
In 2011, Ron Clark released The End of Molasses Classes: Getting Our Kids Unstuck--101 Extraordinary Solutions for Parents and Teachers. This New York Times Bestseller brought to light 101 innovative and classroom-tested ways for improving America's schools and leading children to greatness. In his most recent release, Move Your Bus: An Extraordinary New Approach to Accelerating Success in Work and Life.
Dr. Salome Thomas-EL
Salome Thomas-EL, Ed.D. is an award-winning teacher and principal, and internationally recognized speaker and educator. Principal EL believes that resilient leaders make courageous decisions, take risks and challenge the status quo. He says transformational leaders shift mindsets and inspire others to effect change. Principal EL shares how to change school culture and foster positive school climate so teachers and leaders can focus on the protective processes that build resilience in students. Principal EL is currently a K-8 school leader in Delaware and speaks to groups around the world. He has addressed more than 100,000 educators, students and parents in North America, Nigeria, Trinidad, England, Jamaica and the Virgin Islands. and frequently appears on The Dr. Oz Show, CNN, and NPR radio. He was honored as an “Inspiring American Icon” by Reader’s Digest. Principal EL is the author of four books including the best-sellers I Choose to Stay and The Immortality of Influence.
Innovative Teaching Strategies Conference
New York Speakers
Michael Bonner
Seen on The Ellen Show and NBC Nightly News, educator, speaker, and author Michael Bonner is an energizing voice in education. Michael has presented to more than 200 education conferences, school district meetings and leadership development audiences across the U.S. & Canada to share his "lessons learned" from teaching in a Title I school with children that experience high levels of trauma and adverse situations. Mr. Bonner's candid, enthusiastic seminars challenge listeners to create diverse, inclusive education plans "where students can see themselves within the lessons and assessments" as a means to increase student success rates. He empowers his audiences to build genuine relationships with their students because ""you can't demand a withdrawal from someone you have never invested in." Administrators and educators alike leave Mr. Bonner's presence ready to make an impact that affects eternity. He is consistently seen as a visionary leader who strives to create a positive mindset among all of his students. His students come to class each day with diverse backgrounds, strengths, needs, and challenges. Therefore, he identifies strategies to ensure their growth socially, emotionally, academically, and psychologically. Due to his educational approach, students leave more hopeful, challenged, inspired, and forever a part of Bonnerville. Today, Mr. Bonner lives in Atlanta, Ga. where he is thrilled to teach fourth and sixth grade English at the famed Ron Clark Academy.
Dr. Michele Borba
Michele Borba, Ed.D. is an internationally renowned educator, award-winning author, and parenting child expert recognized for her solution-based strategies to strengthen children’s character, resilience, and reduce peer cruelty. A sought-after motivational speaker, she has spoken in 19 countries and five continents, and served as a consultant to hundreds of schools and corporations. Clients include Sesame Street, Harvard, U.S. Air Force Academy, 18 US Army Bases in Europe and the Asian-Pacific, H.R.H. the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi. and a TEDx Talk: “Empathy Is a Verb.” She offers realistic, research-based advice culled from a career working with over one million parents and educators worldwide. Dr. Borba is an NBC contributor who has appeared 150 times on the TODAY show and countless shows including Dateline, Dr. Phil, The View, NBC Nightly News, The Doctors, Dr. Oz, Anderson Cooper, MSNBC, Fox & Friends, Countdown, Fox, The Early Show, and CNN. Her work is featured in TIME, Washington Post, Newsweek, People, Boston Globe, U.S. News & World Report, The New York Times. Reader’s Digest and Globe and Mail. Dr. Borba is recognized globally for her work in bullying and youth violence prevention. She’s a media spokesperson for major corporations including 3M, Office Depot, Unilever, Similac, General Mills, Mastercard, All, Galderma, V-Tech, Cetaphil, Splenda, Walmart, Johnson & Johnson and consultant to Apple TV, McDonalds and Disney. She is the award-winning author of 24 books translated into 19 languages including Nobody Likes Me, No More Misbehavin’, Don’t Give Me that Attitude!, Building Moral Intelligence, Parents Do Make A Difference, The Big Book of Parenting Solutions, End Peer Cruelty, Build Empathy, and UnSelfie: Why Empathetic Kids Succeed in Our All-About-Me World. Her latest book (spring 2021) Thrivers: Surprising Reasons Why Some Kids Struggle and Others Shine. Awards include the National Educator Award (presented by the National Council of Self-Esteem), National Child Safety Award of 2016 by Child Safety Network, Santa Clara University’s Outstanding Alumna Award, Outstanding Contribution to the Educational Profession by the Bureau of Education and Research and a 2016 SHORTY nominee for “Best Social Media Influencer in Parenting.” She was named Honorary Chairperson for Self-Esteem in Hong Kong, consultant for the Character Education and Civic Engagement for the U.S. Dept of Education, Disney Influencer, and Goodwill Ambassador for M.I.T.’s One Laptop per Child project. Board memberships include Parents, Character.org, Child Safety Network, Boys & Girls Club of America, USTA Sportsmanship Committee. Her proposal: “Ending School Violence and Bullying” (SB1667) was signed into California law in 2002. Dr. Borba is a former classroom and special education teacher with a wide range of teaching experience, including work in a private practice with children with learning and emotional disabilities. She received a Doctorate in Educational Psychology and Counseling from the University of San Francisco, an M.A. in Learning Disabilities and B.A. from the University of Santa Clara, and Life Teaching Credential from San Jose State University.
"Stand Tall Steve" Bollar
Steve Bollar, aka “Stand Tall Steve” is an educational thought leader and master motivator. He works with forward-thinking organizations to generate new ideas, improve climate/culture and maximize leadership skills. His quick wit, experience, and in-depth knowledge make him an in-demand speaker. Steve has experienced first-hand the importance of a healthy school culture as teacher, principal and superintendent. He is a member of the Jostens Renaissance Hall of Fame and was named one of South Jersey’s Top 20 Men of the Year. Steve is the author of Ideas, Ideas, Ideas, which has helped schools throughout North America improve their culture.
Innovative Teaching Strategies Conference
Orlando Speakers
Barbara Coloroso
Barbara Coloroso is a New York Times bestselling author and an internationally recognized speaker and consultant on social-emotional learning, teaching, discipline, school climate, bullying, nonviolent conflict resolution, restorative justice and parenting. She has appeared on Oprah, CBS, NBC, ABC, CNN and NPR and has been featured in Time, U.S. News & World Report, Newsweek and other national and international publications. Her uniquely effective teaching and parenting strategies were developed through her years of training in sociology, special education and philosophy, as well as field-tested through her experiences as a classroom teacher, laboratory school instructor, university instructor, seminar leader and mother of three grown children. She is the author of four international bestsellers: kids are worth it! Giving Your Child the Gift of Inner Discipline; Parenting Through Crisis: Helping Kids in Times of Loss, Grief and Change; The Bully, the Bullied and the Not-So-Innocent Bystander: Breaking The Cycle of Violence and Creating More Deeply Caring Communities; and Just Because It’s Not Wrong Doesn’t Make It Right: From Toddlers to Teens, Teaching Kids to Think and Act Ethically.
Ernesto Mejia
Ernesto Mejia, the proud son of Mexican immigrants, is a true example of the American dream. Diagnosed with the rare disease of Guillain-Barré Syndrome at the Eage of 16 that left him temporarily paralyzed, he was not supposed to be a successful student, much less a College Dean of Students. Through his hardships, Ernesto learned to never give up on life, he now speaks to students, parents and teachers about overcoming obstacles and never giving up on the American dream: education.
Jessica Sinarski
Jessica Sinarski, LPCMH is a clinical supervisor, consultant, author and educator, who is a thought leader in connecting neuroscience with practice in adult-child relationships. Jessica has trained thousands of parents and professionals across the country and maintains a private practice in Delaware, incorporating neurofeedback and attachment-based therapeutic models. Jessica founded BraveBrains to help others experience the hope and healing that is possible with a deeper understanding of the brain. She has created a framework, based on the concepts introduced in her children’s book, Riley the Brave, that is improving outcomes for those affected by adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and trauma. These principles and accompanying resources, rooted in the latest brain science, are empowering parents, teachers and community professionals all over the world. Jessica is a therapist and clinical supervisor at A Better Chance for Our Children in Delaware and serves on the board of directors at Cardinal McCloskey Community Services in New York. She is currently partnering with school districts and child welfare agencies across the country to better incorporate trauma-sensitive practices into their work. Compelled by her work with foster families in the South Bronx, Jessica became a Certified Adoption Therapist and founded an adoption therapy program at her local agency.
Innovative Teaching Strategies Conference
Atlanta Speakers
Atlanta 2023 speaker information coming soon.
Innovative Teaching Strategies Conference
Las Vegas Speakers
Las Vegas 2023 speaker information coming soon.
Innovative Teaching Strategies Conference 2 Great Locations
Orlando
March 26-29, 2020
5 Conferences for the Price of 1!
School Climate & Culture Forum
Boy Brains & Engagement Conference
School Discipline Conference
Innovative Teaching Strategies Conference
Counseling Strategies & Resources Conference
School Climate & Culture Forum
Boy Brains & Engagement Conference
School Discipline Conference
Innovative Teaching Strategies Conference
Counseling Strategies & Resources Conference
March 26-29
Las Vegas
July 6-10, 2020
6 Conferences for the Price of 1!
School Climate & Culture Forum
School Discipline Conference
Innovative Teaching Strategies Conference
Wired Differently Conference
Boy Brains & Engagement Conference
NextGen School Safety Conference
School Climate & Culture Forum
School Discipline Conference
Innovative Teaching Strategies Conference
Wired Differently Conference
Boy Brains & Engagement Conference
NextGen School Safety Conference
July 6-10