Dwayne Reed

Re-Energizing American Education and Classrooms with his Positivity, Creativity, and Fun!

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Chicago, Illinois

Dwayne Reed
Biography

Teaching phenom and educational activist, Dwayne Reed, has been crisscrossing the globe, promoting his message of love and equity in education. After seeing viral success with the release of his educational music video, "Welcome to the 4th Grade," and appearing on Good Morning America, CNN, and MTV's TRL, Reed has been on a mission to convince the world that relationships mean everything in education, and that every child, no matter their race or social status, deserves a fair chance at a quality education. Mr. Reed spends his free time writing educational songs, playing basketball, and 'chillin' in his neighborhood,' on the Westside of Chicago.

Dwayne Reed
Featured Videos

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Dwayne Reed
Featured Keynote Programs

Being the Educator Your Students Need

This highly sought-after keynote session will inspire your staff to be the educators they always needed! Filled with tons of SEL (social-emotional learning) restorative justice, and trauma-informed talking points, Reed will help educators re-discover their WHY of teaching and will emphasize the importance of building and maintaining positive relationships with scholars, both in and outside of the classroom. Each participant will leave with dozens of practical, real-world, relationship-building strategies which can immediately be implemented in their classroom.

Be THAT Teacher

10 Core Principles for Making Lasting Impact

In this dynamic presentation, educator Dwayne Reed dives into what it takes to become a standout teacher who inspires, connects, and leads with purpose. Covering essential topics like embracing authenticity, expressing humanity, allowing kids to be kids, and striving for excellence, Mr. Reed offers practical steps to make a lasting impact. This talk emphasizes seeing and valuing the diverse identities within the classroom, fostering teamwork, and being intentional with parents, caregivers, administrators, and caring for ourselves throughout the school year. With relatable stories and real-life examples from his own experience as a teacher, Mr. Reed provides actionable advice for educators who want to lead with heart and make a difference in their schools. Educators will leave with fresh insights on building a positive, impactful presence that students and colleagues remember.

Relationship-Building 101

How to Create Relationships with Students and Families

This session provides educators with six foundational principles to establish positive, sustainable relationships with students and their families. Each practical principle in this course comes with a multi-pronged approach to implementation, considering the fact that every educator works under unique circumstances, and has particular needs that must be met. Each participant will leave knowing precisely HOW to effectively engage with the students, families, and the greater community they serve, and WHY this practice is so essential.

The Three Essential Tools Needed to be a Memorable Teacher

No purposeful action is possible without positive belief! Therefore, it is important for educators to not only believe in themselves, but to believe in their students, and use the power of belief to fuel their words and actions. Having the skills to enact change is important, too. Great teachers know skills must be developed, and in order to see success, there are certain tools and strategies that must be practiced and understood. The final piece to the puzzle of teacher and school achievement is developing the traits (such as consistency, self-discipline, and joy) that will ensure positive outcomes. Teachers will leave feeling focused on personal and school victories, while administrators will appreciate the encouragement of Mr. Reed, as both a former administrator and a current classroom teacher.

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The Terminator

Finding Humanity in A.I.

With the arrival of Artificial Intelligence (A.I.) in education, it has become clear that schools will never be the same again. But perhaps this isn’t a bad thing! Since A.I. and other “GPTs” aren’t going anywhere, teachers must learn how to use these tools to our advantage and learn how to keep humanity front of mind. This ground-level session helps make A.I. understandable to veteran educators, or to anyone who doesn’t yet believe how powerful “the future” can be in the present. Participants will be yelling those infamous words from Arnold Schwarzenegger… “I’ll be back!”

Rhymin’ with Simon

An Ode to Friendship, Anti-Bullying, and Community Activism (3rd-6th Grade)

This lively and inspiring book talk based on Dwayne Reed’s hit book Simon B. Rhymin’, dives into the story of Simon Barnes, an 11-year-old from Chicago with big dreams of becoming a rap star. Simon’s journey highlights themes of friendship, standing up to bullying, and finding one’s voice in the community. Mr. Reed will discuss strategies for promoting anti-bullying, fostering self-esteem, and encouraging kids to serve and uplift their communities. Designed for school leaders who are eager to invite a dynamic author to engage with students, this session has been a hit with young audiences. With an energetic mix of rap music, singing, book reading, rhyming, and hands-on activities, this presentation offers a fresh way to reach students and support positive character development.

Stand Up and Stand Out

Kids Can Make a Difference, Too! (4th-8th Grade)

In this inspiring keynote for upper elementary and middle school students, young people will be challenged to find their unique selves and grow into leaders who demonstrate strong character. Through relatable stories, humor, music, and movement, this session explores what it means to be an upstander against bullying, a good friend, a responsible student, and a team player. Students will learn how to be the change their communities need by leading with kindness and respect. Emphasis is placed on learning from mistakes and striving to do better each day. Packed with engaging activities and real-life examples, this talk will encourage students to make positive choices, build their character, and go out into the world ready to make a big impact.

It Starts Now

Inspiring the Next Generation of Tomorrow’s Leaders, Today (High School)

This energizing keynote is designed to inspire high school students to embrace leadership, accountability, and community building right where they are. Students will be encouraged to take initiative, set meaningful goals, and find confidence in their unique identities as they chart a path toward the future. Through humor, music, interactive activities, and social media elements, this session meets students where they are, making leadership accessible and exciting! Along the way, they’ll learn the power of accountability, resilience in the face of mistakes, and the importance of staying grounded in the present. Perfect for firing up the next generation of world-changers, this keynote will leave students motivated to develop their character, step up in their communities, and grow into the leaders of tomorrow.

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers to some of the most common questions about booking Dwayne Reed for your event.

How do I book Dwayne Reed for my event?

Booking Dwayne Reed with Premiere Speakers Bureau is a streamlined 4-step process:

Availability Check: Contact us with your event date and budget to verify if your desired speaker is available.
Hold Date: We place a temporary "hold" on the speaker's calendar while you finalize internal approval.
Contracting: We issue a contract outlining the fee, cancellation policy, and event expectations.
Logistics: Once signed, our event management team handles all travel booking, itinerary, and AV requirements.

Why should I partner with Premiere Speakers Bureau rather than contacting speakers directly?

Partnering with Premiere Speakers Bureau provides a comprehensive safety net for your event that direct booking cannot match. You get the same speaker for the same price, but with a dedicated team with over 30 years of event experience handling contracts, logistics, and are prepared for any emergency. We know what it takes to run an excellent event.

What makes Premiere Speakers Bureau unique compared to other agencies?

Premiere Speakers Bureau distinguishes itself by having over 30 years of experience while partnering with more than 35,000 events. PSB has also built a streamlined, fully online process that makes booking a speaker, handling travel and payments extremely easy for anyone looking to plan a speaker led event.

How does Premiere Speakers Bureau's 'Zero Cost Service' model work?

Premiere Speakers Bureau operates on a 'Zero Cost Service' model for event planners. Our services—including research, booking, and logistics—are always free to the client. The speaker covers our commission from their standard honorarium as payment for our role in marketing and managing their engagements.

How are speaker fees structured, and what is typically included?

A speaker's fee typically covers the keynote presentation, a pre-event planning call, and standard customization. Travel expenses are usually billed separately.

What are the standard policies for speaker travel and expenses?

Travel expenses are negotiated during contracting. We generally recommend a flat travel fee for simplicity, though we also offer line-by-line invoicing when preferred. PSB ensures these expenses adhere to professional standards, and our Event Portal allows for easy tracking and invoicing.