My Keynotes
You Still Matter: Holding On to Purpose in a Noisy World
Relationships. Culture. Character. Purpose.
A Message from the Heart
When we think back on the teachers who made the biggest impact, it’s rarely because of a test they helped us pass. It’s because of how they made us feel—seen, capable, and valued.
This keynote is a powerful reminder that teaching is never just about the subject. It’s about the human being in front of us. It’s about the choices we make each day—to lead with character, to model compassion, to create a culture of purpose and belonging.
Whether you teach math, music, or middle schoolers on the edge of giving up—this message is for you.
The Unseen Curriculum
Every teacher, every adult in the building, teaches character—whether we intend to or not.
- How we speak to students when we’re frustrated
- How we respond to a mistake or misstep
- How we handle setbacks or success
All of it sends a message. We are always modeling something. The question is: what are we modeling?
Teaching the Real Lessons
This keynote speaks directly to the lessons that don’t show up on standardized tests:
- How to treat people with dignity and respect
- How to stand up for what’s right—even when it’s hard
- How to balance empathy with accountability
- How to stay grounded in your purpose, even when the system wears you down
These are the kinds of lessons that shape students’ futures far more than a worksheet or a grade ever could.
Intrinsic Motivation Over Incentives
“We do the good and right thing because it is the good and right thing to do.”
Character education isn’t about rewarding behavior. It’s about cultivating integrity.
Students don’t need pizza parties to learn generosity—they need adults who model it.
This keynote challenges the overuse of extrinsic rewards and invites educators to reclaim the deeper reasons we teach values, character, and community.
Culture IS the Curriculum
From SEL to restorative practices to school-wide behavior expectations—none of it works without authentic relationships and a shared sense of purpose.
Rules shouldn’t just manage behavior.
They should reflect the kind of community we want to build.
Discipline should be fair, not formulaic. Listening matters. So do boundaries.
In this keynote, we’ll explore how to hold space for students’ experiences—while also holding the line when needed.
A Call to Remember Who You Are
This keynote closes with a message of hope, identity, and purpose.
- You are not just a teacher of content. You are a teacher of life.
- You are shaping the next generation by the way you show up.
- Don’t let anyone convince you that what you do doesn’t matter.
We don’t need perfect teachers.
We need passionate ones—who remember why they started.
Keynote Takeaways
- Reignite your passion for teaching with renewed purpose
- Reflect on the real legacy educators leave behind
- Discover ways to build culture and character without losing content
Learn how to sustain heart-centered teaching—even in a test-driven world
If schools were permitted to have just one training, this is the one!
This training will help to raise test scores for your students, decrease discipline challenges, and improve classroom rapport. You will learn how to meet students where they are and lead them where they need to be, capture attention, and promote deeper learning.