Dr. Monte Selby

The importance of laughter and optimism are sometimes dismissed by those who believe “some people are just born with it.” Monte Selby disagrees. He establishes the importance of laughter and optimism, and then offers strategies that positively impact the learning environment.

As schools continually search for new approaches to improve student learning and engage reluctant learners, the need to build stronger connections, unlock creativity and build collaborative environments becomes critical to lasting success. Join Monte Selby, a veteran teacher, principal, and professor who is deeply immersed in the creative world
of songwriting, performing, and recording with some of the best in the business. He’ll shed light on the subject through humor, interaction, a bit of research, and critically acclaimed original music.

Teachers love practical, ready-to-use, high-engagement strategies to impact learning, behavior, and character. Come explore powerful academic, social, and leadership activities that require deep thinking, movement, research, respect, interaction, music and laughter! Researchers declare that many students claim "boring" as their favorite adjective for describing school. More researchers shed light on why many capable students drop out of school. Educators of all subject areas and grade levels will leave this session with practical ideas to create healthy, welcoming, non-boring and "unforgettable" classrooms.

We all want students to take more responsibility. When schools simply increase rules and add harsher punishments, the result is often frustrated teachers and angry students. This session is for those who want to combine proactive and reactive strategies that "teach" responsibility and reduce misbehavior. Monte will address the "first time offender", as well as the more "behaviorally challenged".

Hello Morale: Goodbye Blues? Maintaining morale in tough times is not easy! Truly meaningful efforts to improve schools are time consuming, stress inducing, and promote conflict. In this session, participants explore options (and skills) for keeping the learning and teaching environment healthy (and fun) in ways that support school improvement and preserve teacher sanity! Bring a pencil and enthusiasm, leave with a personalized action plan.

About 63 million American adults volunteered time to an organization last year. We can lure a few more of those volunteers to help us when we differentiate options that help adults connect with the academic lives of students, Research and common sense both support the need for a positive connection between educators and parents. This session describes powerful school-wide and classroom strategies that involve parents in meaningful and empowering ways.