SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS
Schools do not change because of programs alone. They change because the people within them begin to see their work, their spaces, and themselves differently.
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My speaking work is grounded in more than three decades in education—as a classroom teacher, principal, district leader, curriculum specialist, education professor, and experience designer. Over the years, one belief has become increasingly clear: before we transform schools, we must first attend to the human work beneath that transformation.
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When I speak, I invite audiences to step back from the pace and pressure of daily work and reflect on what school actually feels like—for students, for teachers, and for administrators. Drawing on principles from Disney Imagineering, storytelling, and experience design, I help audiences see schools not simply as systems to manage, but as lived experiences shaped by intentional and unintentional design choices.
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These keynotes are reflective, practical, and human-centered. They challenge without lecturing, inspire without oversimplifying, and always return to the people at the heart of the work.
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Many school improvement efforts focus on programs, systems, and mandates, yet still fall short of meaningful change. This keynote explores schools as intentionally designed experiences and examines how story, space, experience, and people shape what school feels like every day.
Through concrete examples drawn from Disney Imagineering and real schools, the session challenges teachers and administrators to look beneath surface-level redesigns and reflect on the personal transformation required for lasting impact. Participants are invited to reconnect with purpose, imagination, and agency—and to see themselves as active designers of school culture rather than managers of systems.
Creativity is a skill that is crucial to cultivating innovative problem-solving. Discover how to tap into the power of imagination and critical thinking through viewing the world in very intentional and unorthodox ways. Inspired by Keri Smith's interactive and fun-filled book, How to Be an Explorer of the World, you'll learn that it's never too late to gain a new perspective on your surroundings, and your life.
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In this hands-on session, we'll explore practical ways to integrate the design thinking process into classrooms in order to help your students connect with the Science and Engineering Practices in real and meaningful ways as they focus on developing empathy and a deep understanding of the challenges that they hope to solve. As a result, you'll be prepared to empower your students to become human-centered problem solvers who can have an immediate impact on the world around them. To preview what this can look like for your students and community, read about our SFCSxDesign Pallet House Project that was featured by Edutopia as a "Best Practice of Design Thinking in Schools."
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Imagineers will tell you that no matter what they're creating, it all begins with a story. Discover how you can tap into the power of well-crafted narratives to create standards-based lessons and activities that will motivate and inspire your students as you immerse in the content that you're teaching. Besides exploring relevant research that supports this instructional strategy, we'll also review the critical components required for creating engaging stories as well as provide examples and ideas that will equip you for leading learning adventures of your own.
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In this popular leadership presentation, you'll discover how we use the tenets of the Jedi Code to challenge and inspire both teachers and students to use their skills, knowledge and interests in the service of others. Special attention is given to real-world applications including examples of PBL and design/build initiatives that benefit the school and community in meaningful and authentic ways.
Teaching is tough. There's now two ways about it. Yet it is also one of the most important, and rewarding, careers that you could ever choose. Too often, young teachers enter their first years in the classroom with wide-eyed enthusiasm, mixed with a healthy dose of nerves, ready to change the world. As it should be. Yet nationwide, we're seeing many of these young professionals choosing to leave their chosen field within the first few years. It doesn't have to be this way. In this lighthearted and inspirational session, Thomas will provide you with practical advice and insight that comes from thirty years of experience as a teacher, coach, principal, curriculum specialist and education professor. Whether you're new to the classroom or a long-time veteran, you're certain to leave this session empowered and inspired.