Dedra Stafford
From Technology to School Climate
Featured Topics
Fee Range
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Oklahoma City, OK, US
Dedra Stafford
Biography
Dedra Stafford is an internationally known speaker, trainer, and author in Education. She is a former middle-level teacher and district professional development specialist who now consults and provides staff development in social and emotional learning, classroom management, differentiated instruction, technology integration, and teacher motivation.
Dedra has presented at 3 international schools and over 30 states. Much of her time is spent supporting high-risk schools in an embedded capacity. Ms. Stafford holds both an administrator's and a superintendent's license and collaborates with district leaders, principals, coaches and teachers across the country supporting their work in providing quality instruction that produces success in the classroom.
Dedra's newest book co-authored with Dr. Debbie Silver, "Teaching Kids to Thrive: The Other Essential Skills for Success" has instantly been recognized as one of the must-read books on creating an SEL culture with a common sense approach.
A regular contributor to professional journals and online teacher resources, she stays abreast of current educational issues as well as technology trends. As a former classroom teacher, Dedra Stafford understands the need for professional development that offers practical ideas, which can be implemented immediately into the classroom.
Dedra Stafford
Featured Keynote Programs
Pep Assemblies, Red Pens, and School Lunches
This keynote address is a hilarious look at attitudes and how choosing the right attitude can make all the difference! It can be presented in 45min-2 ½ hr formats.
Purpose
Teachers don’t really teach for the summers…Do we? This keynote will remind educators why we CHOOSE to walk through the doors of a school building even after we have received our diplomas! Dedra will help teachers remember what a great job they really have. She will talk the audience through making choices in their daily attitudes; and how to avoid the “zappers” who we let affect our attitudes. This session will be full of energy and audience interaction. The techniques Dedra will share will help the natural nurturers of the world take care of themselves so that they can stay connected to the passion for touching the lives of children and others!
Learn to:
-Remember why you teach
-Avoid the negatives that pull you down
-Enjoy your opportunity to touch lives every day as a teacher
Write-up
You came into the education field full of hope, energy, and a desire to CHANGE the world! Now you catch yourself looking at the bank attendants, and door greeters wondering how hard it would be to make the transition? Educators are care givers who give until they can’t give anymore. Dedra will help you put yourself at the top of the list, create habits that will prevent burnout, and remember why you are where you are. This keynote will have you laughing and learning as you get reconnected to your passion for teaching.
Teaching Kids to Thrive
Bring best-selling author/educators, Dr. Debbie Silver and Dedra Stafford to your school or district to inspire your preK-12 educators and guide them in how to implement social-emotional learning (SEL) concepts in the classroom. Choose from a 6-day, 3-day, or 1-day Thrive Initiative Package. Demand is high so act fast to book your sessions with these veteran professional development specialists now.
6-Day Thrive Initiative Model Includes:
Opening Day (1) with Dr. Debbie Silver and Dedra Stafford
• Includes inspirational and informational opening and closing keynotes
• Administration of pre-test measuring participants’ knowledge of SEL and commitment to its implementation
• Thrive activities to build camaraderie and model procedures
• Introduction to a Google Thrive Classroom that is set up for Thrive Initiative participants and is used throughout the year as ongoing support and follow-up to onsite sessions.
-- additional information, thought questions, teacher resources
-- ongoing access to the facilitators
-- group collaborations, discussions, questions, and solutions
• Distribution of Thrive Bonus Bags (50 participants or under are included in the price. Over 50 will be priced additionally)
--Teaching Kids to Thrive book
--Teaching Kids to Thrive bag
--Thrive t-shirt forms (for sizing)
--Other Thrive gifts
Follow-up Embedded Days (4) with Dedra Stafford
• Additional training on each of the Thrive skills
• Classroom visits and feedback to teachers
• Demonstration lessons
• Individual and small group support as needed
• Goggle classroom instruction and assistance as needed
• Meetings with administrators and school leaders
• Presents t-shirts to participants
Google Hang-out Sessions (2)
• Dr. Silver and/or Dedra host a questions and answer session for Thrive Initiative Participants
Closing Day (1) with Dr. Debbie Silver
• Administration of pre-test measuring participants’ knowledge
• of SEL and commitment to its implementation
• Share Fair involving all participants and invited guests
• Closing activities and planning for ongoing implementation
• Closing Keynote
• Presentation of Thrive (SEL) School banner
3-Day Thrive Initiative Model Includes:
Opening Day (1) with Dr. Debbie Silver and Dedra Stafford
• Includes inspirational and informational opening and closing keynotes
• Thrive activities to build camaraderie and model procedures
• Introduction to a Google Thrive Classroom that is set up for Thrive Initiative participants and is used throughout the year as ongoing support and follow-up to onsite sessions.
-- additional information, thought questions, teacher resources
-- ongoing access to the facilitators
-- group collaborations, discussions, questions, and solutions
• Distribution of Thrive Bonus Bags (50 participants or under are included in the price. Over 50 will be priced additionally)
--Teaching Kids to Thrive book
--Teaching Kids to Thrive bag
--Thrive t-shirt forms (for sizing)
--Other Thrive gifts
Follow-up Embedded Day (1) with Dedra Stafford
Choose from:
• Additional training on each of the Thrive skills
• Classroom visits and feedback to teachers
• Demonstration lessons
• Individual and small group support as needed
• Goggle classroom instruction and assistance as needed
• Meetings with administrators and school leaders
• Presents t-shirts to participants
Goggle Hang-out Sessions (1)
• Dr. Silver and/or Dedra host a questions and answer session for Thrive Initiative Participants
Closing Day (1) with Dr. Debbie Silver
• Share Fair involving all participants and invited guests
• Closing activities and planning for ongoing implementation
• Closing Keynote
1-Day Thrive Initiative Model Includes:
Day (1) with Dr. Debbie Silver and Dedra Stafford
• Includes inspirational and informational opening and closing keynotes
• Multiple break-out sessions provided by Debbie and Dedra (customized by client choice for grade levels, topics, or both)
• Distribution of Teaching Kids to Thrive Book (50 participants or under are included in the price. Over 50 will be priced additionally)
Reaching and Teaching the Digital Learner
This keynote address is upbeat, motivational and informative. It can be a presented as a one hour keynote to a full day session.
Purpose
The Digital Natives are not the students of the past. They learn and think differently which means teachers must learn to teach differently. In this keynote, Dedra will show teachers how to speak the language, use the tools, and make learning relevant to the 21st Century. Blogs, wikis, and web 2.0 will be explained and showcased. Done well, technology can be an awesome tool in the classroom, but it is not always easy! That’s why teachers need to sometimes be motivated to rise to the challenge by grabbing the attention of the video game generation and helping them use the tech skills of their future!
Learn to:
-Understand the reason why technology must become a part of the classroom.
-Identify the difference between integration and seamlessly integrating technology
-Use technology as a Communication tool, Instructional tool and a Performance tool in the classroom.
Write-up
The students we are teaching today are digital natives who have never known a world without technology. How do you engage the multi-tasking, on-demand, Facebook generation? Learn how educators across the globe are using podcasting, blogging, wikis and other web 2.0 tools to teach the students of today. We will explore free Web 2.0 resources which can increase communication, collaboration, and engagement in your classroom.
The “Best Stuff” is in the Middle
This keynote address is upbeat, motivational and informative. It can be a presented as a 45min format.
Purpose
This keynote will remind educators how important we are in the lives of the middle school students we teach. Dedra will help teachers remember what a great job they really have. This session will be full of energy and audience interaction. The techniques Dedra will share will help the natural nurturers of the world stay connected to the passion for touching the lives of children and others!
Learn to:
-Remember why you teach
-Avoid the negatives that pull you down
-Enjoy your opportunity to touch lives every day as a teacher
Write-up
Just like the Oreo cookie, middle level is where all the magic happens in education. A student’s journey is guided and misguided by the impact people have around them. Come in a celebrate with Dedra as she makes you laugh, cry and remember the best kept secret of education “The Best Stuff” is in the middle!
Dedra Stafford
Featured Books
Summarization in Any Subject: 60 Innovative, Tech-Infused Strategies for Deeper Student Learning, 2nd Edition
by Dedra Stafford
Teaching Kids to Thrive: Essential Skills for Success
by Dedra Stafford
Dedra Stafford
Featured Articles & Resources
New Education Classic Enlivens SEL Teaching
Did you ever read the Table of Contents in a book and start hyperventilating because you’ew overwhelmed by the amount of material listed? I did! As I scanned the Table of...
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