About the Presentations

• I have spoken at more than 50 conferences over the past few years, and I absolutely love sharing my ideas with other educators! My sessions are very high-energy, and I always make sure that participants leave with a handful of new and easy-to-use strategies that can be implemented into any classroom environment the very next day.

  • Please note that each session can be tailored to fit your needs (ranging from one hour to all day!)

  • I am also happy to create a keynote or workshop based around your specific needs.

Keynote and Workshop Topics

(Click here to make an inquiry)

• The Soundtrack of Teaching

  Teaching is hard, and at times, it seems like no one understands the struggles of a teacher. In this keynote, Mike connects some of the challenges of teaching to some of your favorite songs from the past fifty years. In doing so, he shares stories, strategies, and insight from his twenty-two year teaching career. Get those singing voices ready...this is a fun one!

• How to Make the Most of Your 88,800 Minutes

  Over the course of a traditional school year, teachers spend 88,800 minutes at school. And while that might sound like enough time to accomplish everything you need to, by the time you factor in meetings, lunches, bathroom breaks, and emails (to name just a few of the daily obstacles teachers face), the actual amount of time that you have to positively impact your students drops considerably. In this humorous and high-energy presentation, I share a range of teaching failures from the course of my career and explain how I used those moments to help me improve as a teacher. Time is a valuable commodity, and this session will identify a range of effective strategies to help you make the most of every teaching minute.

• Ten Things Every Teacher Should Be Doing in Their Class Every Day

  Successful teachers understand that creating a positive classroom culture isn't about doing that ONE thing — It's about doing those ONE HUNDRED little things! Ten Things Every Teacher Should Be Doing in Their Class Every Day is a high-energy workshop that identifies a range of simple-yet-innovative classroom management strategies that are sure to enhance any learning environment. Topics addressed include how to incorporate more movement into your teaching, how to empower students in the learning process, and why the first five minutes of your class are the most important minutes of the day. All strategies will be modeled and thoroughly explained, and participants can expect to go back to their classrooms armed with a slew of proven techniques to jump-start their students. The best part - Each idea presented will easily fit within any curriculum, regardless of grade or subject matter. If you're looking to get fired up about teaching, then this is the workshop for you!

• 13.1 Ways That Teaching is Like Running a Half-Marathon

  13.1 Ways That Teaching is Like Running a Half Marathon focuses on the challenges that we teachers face on a daily basis. Like our classes, some of the topics addressed are very serious (the importance of planning, effective time management, persevering through difficult times), while others are a bit more light-hearted (learning to eat lunch in 15 minutes, wanting to change careers mid-lesson, ultimate bladder control). But regardless of the challenge, each of the ideas shared is a topic that teachers will understand all-too-well.

• Just a Bunch of Awesome Teaching Strategies

  Here they are — The 50 most effective and engaging teaching strategies from my 20 years of teaching — All in one place! This no-holds-barred, fast-and-furious workshop serves up an array of ideas that can be used across content areas and grade levels. This presentation is perfect for those looking to add a new set of tools to their teaching tool belt!

• How to be the Type of Teacher They Make Movies About

  This is a great presentation for educators who strive to teach more than just content!  This motivational session highlights simple teaching strategies that will help teachers become the memorable educators we all strive to be.  Video clips from some of cinemas greatest teachers will also be featured, as will quotes from various leaders from around the world. I argue that every teacher has the ability to leave a lasting impression on their students, and this presentation will give you everything you need to reach your full potential.

• Ten Strategies That Will Turn Every Teacher Into a Literacy Teacher

  Ten Strategies That Will Turn Every Teacher Into a Literacy Teacher provides teachers and school leaders with a variety of simple-yet-innovative literacy strategies that will enhance the learning within any classroom. Topics to be addressed include differentiated methods for increasing content-specific vocabulary, how to build rapport with students and parents through writing, and engaging ways for students to demonstrate their learning. Participants will leave with a clear vision of how to not only increase, but also improve, the literacy within their classes.

• What To Do When They Already Know It

  This energetic presentation provides teachers and school leaders with a variety of proven teaching strategies that are certain to enhance the learning within any classroom. Topics to be addressed include the role that movement plays in learning, the value that comes from self-assessment, and the increasing importance that personalized learning plays in today's classrooms. Regardless of the technique, each of the methods described can be easily adapted to fit within any curriculum.

Costs

• I understand and appreciate the budget restraints that schools are under, and because of this, I will do my absolute best to fulfill your request based on your budget restrictions.

• To help with logistics and costs, I offer both on-sight and online presentation opportunities.

Inquiries / Additional Information

• For additional information or to inquire about my availability, please click the “Contact Me” button below. Please include desired dates, times, location, and topic when submitting your request. Thanks!