My Message...
I believe that if what we are teaching in our classroom is not meaningful for our students, it's a waste of our time and theirs. My message is one that encourages risk-taking and creativity in the classroom while giving ownership of the learning back to the students.
I love to give audiences a presentation that they will not soon forget. By sharing stories and personal experiences, I connect with the audience and offer practical advice about engaging today's students through providing meaningful learning opportunities. Using humor and personal stories, I promise to deliver a presentation that will be engaging and fun for the audience.
I love to give audiences a presentation that they will not soon forget. By sharing stories and personal experiences, I connect with the audience and offer practical advice about engaging today's students through providing meaningful learning opportunities. Using humor and personal stories, I promise to deliver a presentation that will be engaging and fun for the audience.
Upcoming Events W6/4 Houston Area Co-op, Houston, Texas
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Keynotes
☑️ Keeping It Real - Bringing the Real World into the Classroom
☑️ The Power of Passion-Based Learning
☑️ A Meaningful Mess - Engaging Students in Meaningful Learning...Even when it's Messy
☑️ From What If to How To - Making Big Dreams a Reality in the Classroom
☑️ The Power of Passion-Based Learning
☑️ A Meaningful Mess - Engaging Students in Meaningful Learning...Even when it's Messy
☑️ From What If to How To - Making Big Dreams a Reality in the Classroom
Workshops, Conferences, and Virtual Trainings
💡 Passion-Based Learning Academy - 2 (or 3) Day Experience
This learning experience is for campuses and districts that want educators to be able to implement passion-based learning in the classroom with confidence. Day 1 will be an introduction to Genius Hour and the 6 Ps. Educators will experience technology tools that make Genius Hour both manageable and meaningful and begin thinking about what Genius Hour will look like in their classroom with their learners.
Day 2 will provide teachers with tools and ideas to take Genius Hour to the next level by gamifying the 6 Ps and making Benefit Mindset a priority. This day also involves learning how to weave the standards into this type of learning so that students are learning through application.
If a campus or district opts for Day 3, I will stay on campus and be available for questions, coaching, and additional support.
💡 The 6 P's of Genius Hour
Every student deserves an opportunity to pursue his or her passion during the school day. In this learning experience, I will explain how Genius Hour can be used to encourage today's learners to be innovative and think differently. By sharing the 6 P's - Passion, Pitch, Plan, Project, Product, and Presentation, I will explain how the Genius Hour process can be manageable for educators and meaningful for students. Educators will leave this experience with technology tools for each of the 6 P's and practical ideas regarding outside experts and weaving standards into each project. This is the one training every educator that is considering implementing Genius Hour MUST have!
💡 Game On: Taking Genius Hour to the Next Level
This learning experience is for educators who have seen the power of Genius Hour and are ready to take it to the next level. Learn how to make Genius Hour more than just a piece of the school day and instead, the way that students learn. Throughout the experience, we will explore the Benefit Mindset and how it can be used to make Genius Hour about so much more than just a project that results in a product. Educators will be given practical advice about how to encourage their learners to design projects that will impact others and create change.
💡 Genius Hour: Making It Happen
Educators are often excited after Genius Hour training and can't wait to implement it into their classrooms. However, when things are not easy and there are questions that need to be answered, it becomes overwhelming. I know this feeling well as I implemented Genius Hour in my own classroom for several years. In an effort to support educators as they make Genius Hour happen in their own classrooms, I am available to offer virtual support at faculty meetings, during conference periods, and even after school for educators that have questions or need a more personalized experience.
💡 Tools of the Trade*
Teaching gifted students requires us to be creative and find ways to engage them even when they are not in our classrooms. Find out how technology can be used to engage and empower today's learners. I will share with educators how they know if technology is meaningful and why it is important to use these tools to help students make connections. Educators will leave this learning experience excited about the potential ways to engage their gifted learners in meaningful learning experiences using technology tools that are accessible and easy to use.
💡 Reflection - The Missing Piece to the Learning Puzzle
John Dewey said, "We do not learn from experience, we learn from reflecting on an experience." In this learning experience, I will explain how reflection can be used to make learning meaningful for today's learners. Educators will also understand the difference between reflection and remembering. When done well, reflection gives students an opportunity to make connections and take their learning to the next level. Educators will leave this experience with a toolkit full of ways to make reflection a priority in their own classrooms.
💡 Meaningful Makerspaces
Makerspaces have become very popular in education. While designing, creating, and making are all very important for today's learners, it is also important that we are engaging them in activities that are meaningful and relevant. In this learning experience, I will explain why it is so important that our students have time during their school day to produce. I will discuss what a meaningful makerspace looks like and and what is needed to make it successful. I will also share a variety of ideas for creating a makerspace that will give students that opportunity to focus on the skills that they need to be future-ready. I will discuss how to implement the 4 C's + 1R - collaboration, communication, creativity, critical thinking, and reflection - into a makerspace as well as how to encourage students to be willing to take risks and learn by doing.
💡 Meaningful Differentiation for Gifted Learners*
Differentiation for gifted learners is more than just assigning a more challenging activity or giving more work. It’s important that we understand today’s gifted learners and what they need at school to not only be engaged but empowered. Designing meaningful learning experiences for gifted learners rather than just assigning activities is essential if we want them to grow and achieve both inside and outside of the classroom. In this session, I will share practical ways that educators can provide meaningful differentiation in the elementary classroom for today’s gifted learners.
💡 What If?
"What if"...two small words that should be playing a big role in the education conversation right now. Learn how to make a student-driven classroom a reality as we discuss the importance of student voice. Throughout this learning experience, we will hear "what if's" from students, educators, and administrators. Together, we'll explore practical ways to make the "what if's" a reality for today's learners.
💡 Digital Leadership
We've all spent a lot of time talking about digital citizenship and while it's very important, it's also important to begin to see our learners as digital leaders. Rather than always focus on what they can't do online, it's important to help them understand what they can and should be doing online as well. What tools do they need to lead online? How can we encourage them to become leaders instead of followers? In this learning experience, educators will learn how to design experiences in their own classrooms that will encourage digital leadership and give today's learners an opportunity to see social media for what it is, an opportunity to promote themselves positively and share ideas that can impact others.
* While these learning experiences were designed to address gifted learners, they can be customized to include all learners as well.
This learning experience is for campuses and districts that want educators to be able to implement passion-based learning in the classroom with confidence. Day 1 will be an introduction to Genius Hour and the 6 Ps. Educators will experience technology tools that make Genius Hour both manageable and meaningful and begin thinking about what Genius Hour will look like in their classroom with their learners.
Day 2 will provide teachers with tools and ideas to take Genius Hour to the next level by gamifying the 6 Ps and making Benefit Mindset a priority. This day also involves learning how to weave the standards into this type of learning so that students are learning through application.
If a campus or district opts for Day 3, I will stay on campus and be available for questions, coaching, and additional support.
💡 The 6 P's of Genius Hour
Every student deserves an opportunity to pursue his or her passion during the school day. In this learning experience, I will explain how Genius Hour can be used to encourage today's learners to be innovative and think differently. By sharing the 6 P's - Passion, Pitch, Plan, Project, Product, and Presentation, I will explain how the Genius Hour process can be manageable for educators and meaningful for students. Educators will leave this experience with technology tools for each of the 6 P's and practical ideas regarding outside experts and weaving standards into each project. This is the one training every educator that is considering implementing Genius Hour MUST have!
💡 Game On: Taking Genius Hour to the Next Level
This learning experience is for educators who have seen the power of Genius Hour and are ready to take it to the next level. Learn how to make Genius Hour more than just a piece of the school day and instead, the way that students learn. Throughout the experience, we will explore the Benefit Mindset and how it can be used to make Genius Hour about so much more than just a project that results in a product. Educators will be given practical advice about how to encourage their learners to design projects that will impact others and create change.
💡 Genius Hour: Making It Happen
Educators are often excited after Genius Hour training and can't wait to implement it into their classrooms. However, when things are not easy and there are questions that need to be answered, it becomes overwhelming. I know this feeling well as I implemented Genius Hour in my own classroom for several years. In an effort to support educators as they make Genius Hour happen in their own classrooms, I am available to offer virtual support at faculty meetings, during conference periods, and even after school for educators that have questions or need a more personalized experience.
💡 Tools of the Trade*
Teaching gifted students requires us to be creative and find ways to engage them even when they are not in our classrooms. Find out how technology can be used to engage and empower today's learners. I will share with educators how they know if technology is meaningful and why it is important to use these tools to help students make connections. Educators will leave this learning experience excited about the potential ways to engage their gifted learners in meaningful learning experiences using technology tools that are accessible and easy to use.
💡 Reflection - The Missing Piece to the Learning Puzzle
John Dewey said, "We do not learn from experience, we learn from reflecting on an experience." In this learning experience, I will explain how reflection can be used to make learning meaningful for today's learners. Educators will also understand the difference between reflection and remembering. When done well, reflection gives students an opportunity to make connections and take their learning to the next level. Educators will leave this experience with a toolkit full of ways to make reflection a priority in their own classrooms.
💡 Meaningful Makerspaces
Makerspaces have become very popular in education. While designing, creating, and making are all very important for today's learners, it is also important that we are engaging them in activities that are meaningful and relevant. In this learning experience, I will explain why it is so important that our students have time during their school day to produce. I will discuss what a meaningful makerspace looks like and and what is needed to make it successful. I will also share a variety of ideas for creating a makerspace that will give students that opportunity to focus on the skills that they need to be future-ready. I will discuss how to implement the 4 C's + 1R - collaboration, communication, creativity, critical thinking, and reflection - into a makerspace as well as how to encourage students to be willing to take risks and learn by doing.
💡 Meaningful Differentiation for Gifted Learners*
Differentiation for gifted learners is more than just assigning a more challenging activity or giving more work. It’s important that we understand today’s gifted learners and what they need at school to not only be engaged but empowered. Designing meaningful learning experiences for gifted learners rather than just assigning activities is essential if we want them to grow and achieve both inside and outside of the classroom. In this session, I will share practical ways that educators can provide meaningful differentiation in the elementary classroom for today’s gifted learners.
💡 What If?
"What if"...two small words that should be playing a big role in the education conversation right now. Learn how to make a student-driven classroom a reality as we discuss the importance of student voice. Throughout this learning experience, we will hear "what if's" from students, educators, and administrators. Together, we'll explore practical ways to make the "what if's" a reality for today's learners.
💡 Digital Leadership
We've all spent a lot of time talking about digital citizenship and while it's very important, it's also important to begin to see our learners as digital leaders. Rather than always focus on what they can't do online, it's important to help them understand what they can and should be doing online as well. What tools do they need to lead online? How can we encourage them to become leaders instead of followers? In this learning experience, educators will learn how to design experiences in their own classrooms that will encourage digital leadership and give today's learners an opportunity to see social media for what it is, an opportunity to promote themselves positively and share ideas that can impact others.
* While these learning experiences were designed to address gifted learners, they can be customized to include all learners as well.
Previous Speaking Experience
January 24, 2016 SCES
East Enterprise, Indiana
February 3, 2018 Houston Area Co-op
Houston, Texas
February 22, 2018 NAG Keynote
Omaha, Nebraska
March 3, 2018 Houston Area Co-op
Houston, Texas
April 16, 2018 TAGT Leadership Keynote
Plano, Texas
April 17, 2018 Texas Social Media Conference
Fort Worth, Texas
East Enterprise, Indiana
February 3, 2018 Houston Area Co-op
Houston, Texas
February 22, 2018 NAG Keynote
Omaha, Nebraska
March 3, 2018 Houston Area Co-op
Houston, Texas
April 16, 2018 TAGT Leadership Keynote
Plano, Texas
April 17, 2018 Texas Social Media Conference
Fort Worth, Texas
January 19, 2017 Pasadena Creativity Potpourri Pasadena, Texas - Keynote
June 15, 2017 Judson ISD - Genius Hour
June 25-28, 2017 ISTE - Genius Hour San Antonio, Texas
July 9-10, 2017 Irving ISD - Genius Hour Irving, Texas
November 28-December 1, 2017 TAGT - Institute
Speaker Houston, Texas
December 2, 2017 AESA - Genius Hour San Antonio, Texas
June 15, 2017 Judson ISD - Genius Hour
June 25-28, 2017 ISTE - Genius Hour San Antonio, Texas
July 9-10, 2017 Irving ISD - Genius Hour Irving, Texas
November 28-December 1, 2017 TAGT - Institute
Speaker Houston, Texas
December 2, 2017 AESA - Genius Hour San Antonio, Texas
February 2 - 4, 2016 TCEA Austin, Texas
May 14, 2016 Houston Co-op
June 6 -8, 2016 Region 9 Wichita Falls, Texas
June 14, 2016 Region 12 Waco, Texas
June 16, 2016 Region 14 Abilene, Texas
June 17, 2016 Area 12 Conference, FOCUS Waco, Texas
June 20, 2016 Region 7 Kilgore, Texas - Keynote
June 23-24, 2016 Region 11 White Settlement, Texas (ElementaryCon)
June 30, 2016 Region 3 Victoria, Texas
July 12, 2016 Region 12 Waco, Texas
July 14, 2016 Region 17 Lubbock, Texas
July 20, 2016 Houston Area COOP (HAC) Houston, Texas
July 21, 2016 Spring Branch ISD Houston, Texas
August 1, 2016 Region 14 Abilene Texas
August 8, 2016 Region 12 Waco, Texas
August 9, 2016 Region 12 Waco, Texas
August 11, 2016 Region 17 Lubbock, Texas
August 12, 2016 Harmony Public Schools Dallas, Texas
August 16, 2016 Region 3 Victoria, Texas
August 18, 2016 Santa Rita Elementary School San Angelo, Texas
November 3-6, 2016 NAGC Disney World, Florida
November 30 - December 2, 2016 TAGT Dallas, Texas
May 14, 2016 Houston Co-op
June 6 -8, 2016 Region 9 Wichita Falls, Texas
June 14, 2016 Region 12 Waco, Texas
June 16, 2016 Region 14 Abilene, Texas
June 17, 2016 Area 12 Conference, FOCUS Waco, Texas
June 20, 2016 Region 7 Kilgore, Texas - Keynote
June 23-24, 2016 Region 11 White Settlement, Texas (ElementaryCon)
June 30, 2016 Region 3 Victoria, Texas
July 12, 2016 Region 12 Waco, Texas
July 14, 2016 Region 17 Lubbock, Texas
July 20, 2016 Houston Area COOP (HAC) Houston, Texas
July 21, 2016 Spring Branch ISD Houston, Texas
August 1, 2016 Region 14 Abilene Texas
August 8, 2016 Region 12 Waco, Texas
August 9, 2016 Region 12 Waco, Texas
August 11, 2016 Region 17 Lubbock, Texas
August 12, 2016 Harmony Public Schools Dallas, Texas
August 16, 2016 Region 3 Victoria, Texas
August 18, 2016 Santa Rita Elementary School San Angelo, Texas
November 3-6, 2016 NAGC Disney World, Florida
November 30 - December 2, 2016 TAGT Dallas, Texas
2015 Fort Worth Technology Conference Fort Worth, Texas
May 5th, 2015 Region 10 Technology Conference
June 12, 2015 Region 9 GT Conference Wichita Falls, Texas
June 16, 2015 Region 12 GT Conference Waco, Texas
June 24, 2015 Region 7 GT Conference Kilgore, Texas
July 14, 2015 Region 12 GT Conference Waco, Texas
July 23, 2015 Region 14 Technology in the Gifted Classroom Abilene, Texas
July 28 - 30, 2015 TEKS Resource System Conference San Antonio, Texas
August 3-4, 2015 Region 12 Diversity Conference Waco, Texas
August 5, 2015 Region 18 GT Roundup Midland, Texas
August 10, 2015 Region 12 GT Conference Waco, Texas
August 11, 2015 Region 12 GT Conference Waco, Texas
August 18, 2015 Region 3 GT Conference Victoria, Texas
August 19, 2015 Region 3 REAL Conference Victoria, Texas
September 29, 2015 Superintendent Leadership Conference Port Aransas, Texas
December 2-4, 2015 TAGT San Antonio, Texas - Institute Speaker
May 5th, 2015 Region 10 Technology Conference
June 12, 2015 Region 9 GT Conference Wichita Falls, Texas
June 16, 2015 Region 12 GT Conference Waco, Texas
June 24, 2015 Region 7 GT Conference Kilgore, Texas
July 14, 2015 Region 12 GT Conference Waco, Texas
July 23, 2015 Region 14 Technology in the Gifted Classroom Abilene, Texas
July 28 - 30, 2015 TEKS Resource System Conference San Antonio, Texas
August 3-4, 2015 Region 12 Diversity Conference Waco, Texas
August 5, 2015 Region 18 GT Roundup Midland, Texas
August 10, 2015 Region 12 GT Conference Waco, Texas
August 11, 2015 Region 12 GT Conference Waco, Texas
August 18, 2015 Region 3 GT Conference Victoria, Texas
August 19, 2015 Region 3 REAL Conference Victoria, Texas
September 29, 2015 Superintendent Leadership Conference Port Aransas, Texas
December 2-4, 2015 TAGT San Antonio, Texas - Institute Speaker
2012 Texas Association for Gifted and Talented Conference - Global Encounter
2012 Texas Association of School Administrators MidWinter Conference - Global Encounter
2013 Texas Association for Gifted and Talented Leadership Conference - Global Encounter
2013 Texas Association for Gifted and Talented Conference - Using Edmodo to Engage Students
2014 BAM! Radio Network with Don Wettrick - Using Innovations/Genius Hour in the Elementary Classroom
2014 Edmodo@10 Conference - Meaningful Assignments Using Edmodo
2014 TAGT Leadership Conference - Cultivating Creativity Through Innovations
2014 Region 12 Leadership Conference - Genius Hour
2014 Baylor University Gifted Conference - Technology for the Gifted Classroom
2014 Texas Association for Gifted and Talented Conference - Technology for the Gifted
2012 Texas Association of School Administrators MidWinter Conference - Global Encounter
2013 Texas Association for Gifted and Talented Leadership Conference - Global Encounter
2013 Texas Association for Gifted and Talented Conference - Using Edmodo to Engage Students
2014 BAM! Radio Network with Don Wettrick - Using Innovations/Genius Hour in the Elementary Classroom
2014 Edmodo@10 Conference - Meaningful Assignments Using Edmodo
2014 TAGT Leadership Conference - Cultivating Creativity Through Innovations
2014 Region 12 Leadership Conference - Genius Hour
2014 Baylor University Gifted Conference - Technology for the Gifted Classroom
2014 Texas Association for Gifted and Talented Conference - Technology for the Gifted