Kayla Dornfeld | 2020 Top Educator of the Year. 2019 North Dakota Teacher of the Year. Internationally Awarded 3rd Grade Teacher

Kayla Dornfeld

2020 Top Educator of the Year. 2019 North Dakota Teacher of the Year. Internationally Awarded 3rd Grade Teacher

Fee Range
Please contact us for pricing
Travels From
Fargo, North Dakota

Kayla Dornfeld
Biography

Kayla Dornfeld is the 2020 Top Educator of the Year, and the 2019 North Dakota Teacher of the Year. Kayla is a two-time (2017 and 2018) Global Hundred honoree, recognizing her as 1 of the top 100 innovative educators in the world. The New York Times named her "one of the tech-savviest teachers in the United States".

She has 14 years of teaching experience in second grade, third grade, and kindergarten. Kayla holds her master’s degree in Elementary Education from the University of North Dakota. In September 2018, she received the University of North Dakota Sioux Award, the highest honor of achievement offered by her University.

In 2021, she was named the "Youth Volunteer of the Year" by St. Jude Hospital. 

She has been recognized as both an "ISTE Influencer" and "HarperCollins Publishing Influencer". Additionally, in March 2018, she was named 1 of just 30 "All-Star Digital Innovators" in the United States by PBS. Who's Who in America has also awarded Kayla for her contributions to education by publishing her biography.

Kayla frequently travels around the United States and other countries as a featured and keynote speaker. She has delivered hundreds of keynotes, one of note being at Twitter Headquarters. On July 23, 2015 she delivered her first TEDx Talk, Reimagining Classrooms: Students as Leaders and Teachers as Learners. Her work with classroom redesign and flexible seating has become the standard worldwide. 

She is a co-author of the best-selling book Education Write Now, published in December 2017, and 10 Perspectives on Learning in Education, available now on Amazon.

You can connect with Kayla on all social media platforms @topdogteaching, and her student-led social media accounts @topdogkids.

Kayla Dornfeld
Featured Videos

Current: Kayla Delzer @Twitter HQ - Digital Citizenship Summit

Time 13:35

More Videos From Kayla Dornfeld

Kayla Delzer @Twitter HQ - Digital Citizenship Summit
Time 13:35
TEDx: Reimagining Classrooms
Time 13:01
Sioux Awards
Time 07:47

Kayla Dornfeld
Featured Keynote Programs

Reimagining the Classroom
Creating Joyful, Engaging Spaces That Actually Work

In this high-energy keynote, Kayla Dornfeld, North Dakota and USA Teacher of the Year, shares how to create a classroom where students are engaged, connected, and excited to learn. Drawing from her experience as a current third grade teacher, Kayla provides practical, realistic strategies that can be implemented immediately.

This session focuses on what actually works in today’s classrooms: building relationships, increasing engagement without burnout, and creating an environment where both students and teachers thrive.

Participants will leave with:

* Simple, high-impact engagement strategies
* Ways to build strong, lasting classroom relationships
* Practical ideas to increase student ownership
* A renewed sense of joy and purpose in teaching

You Can Love Teaching Again
Sustainable Systems for Real-Life Teachers

Teaching has never been more demanding. In this honest and encouraging keynote, Kayla shares realistic strategies to help educators move from burnout to balance without guilt.

This session blends practical systems, mindset shifts, and real-life teacher experiences to help educators create a career they can sustain and enjoy.

Participants will leave with:

* Simple systems to reduce overwhelm
* Boundaries that support both students and teachers
* Strategies to bring joy back into daily teaching
* Tools to feel supported, not stretched thin 
 

The Power of Play
Why Engagement Is the Missing Piece in Student Success

Engagement is not extra, it is essential. In this session, Kayla shares how intentional play and interactive learning increase both academic success and classroom connection.

Using real classroom examples, participants will learn how to incorporate low-prep, high-impact strategies that get every student involved.

Participants will leave with:

* Ready-to-use classroom games and activities
* Strategies to increase participation and focus
* Ways to make learning memorable and meaningful

Calm in the Classroom
Simple Routines That Support Behavior, Focus, and Learning

Classrooms today require more than academic instruction. In this session, Kayla shares practical routines and strategies to help students regulate, stay engaged, and feel successful.

This session aligns perfectly with her upcoming CALM in the Classroom framework.

Participants will leave with:

* Easy-to-implement classroom routines
* Strategies for supporting student regulation
* Tools to create a calm, focused learning environment

Kayla Dornfeld
Featured Book

Education Write Nowby Kayla Dornfeld

Education Write Now

by Kayla Dornfeld

Kayla Dornfeld
Featured Reviews

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers to some of the most common questions about booking Kayla Dornfeld for your event.

How do I book Kayla Dornfeld for my event?

Booking Kayla Dornfeld 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.
Get more details and availability

Kayla Dornfeld

Share some basic details about you and your upcoming event, and one of our experts will be in touch with you quickly regarding pricing and availability.
Event Details
Your Details
Cancel
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
By providing a telephone number and submitting this form you are consenting to be contacted by SMS text message. Message & data rates may apply. Message frequency may vary. You can reply STOP to opt-out of further messaging or HELP if you need more information.