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Kevin Butler | Academic Engagement, Cultivating School Culture, and Building School-wide Relationships.

Kevin Butler

Academic Engagement, Cultivating School Culture, and Building School-wide Relationships.

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Kevin Butler
Biography

Kevin has dedicated over two decades to the field of education as a passionate teacher, leader, and advocate for student success. He started his career in New York, teaching at a public school on Long Island. After 12 years, Kevin moved to California, where he was a founding teacher and consulted for a startup school in Los Angeles. He then spent seven years teaching fifth grade at an independent school in Los Angeles, where he also served on the administrative team as the K-6 Curriculum and Instruction Director, helping shape the school’s academic programs and teaching strategies.

Throughout his career, Kevin has created authentic learning experiences that engages his students and encourages a love of learning. His approach to teaching is grounded in the belief that education should be both meaningful and exciting, with lessons that spark curiosity and promote academic growth. His commitment to his students and the profession was recognized in 2020 when he appeared on The Kelly Clarkson Show, where Kelly Clarkson celebrated his dedication to his students and love of teaching. 

Beyond the classroom, Kevin is also a speaker and facilitator. He leads hands-on workshops and professional development sessions for educators, focusing on key topics like student engagement, creating positive classroom culture, and building strong relationships with students, parents, and colleagues. His engaging presentation style has made him a popular speaker at educational conferences, including the GETCA conference in Canada, where over 15,000 educators were in attendance for three days of professional development. Kevin has also presented at Teach Your Heart Out, Teach Better, and ASCD. In addition to conferences, Kevin has conducted workshops and professional development at schools throughout southern California. Kevin has appeared in print in The Hollywood Reporter - LA Independent Schools edition, Teacher's Deserve It, by Adam Welcome and Rae Hughart, and can be listened to on numerous podcasts including Kids Under Construction, Teach Me- Teacher, and Aspire Education.

In 2022, Kevin's first book Lights, Cameras, TEACH: A Screenplay for Engagement, Culture, and Relationships, which was released by Dave Burgess Consulting. Part memoir, part practical guide, the book shares Kevin’s teaching philosophy and offers actionable strategies to help educators improve student engagement, strengthen classroom culture, and build meaningful relationships with students.

Today, Kevin teaches middle school social studies at a progressive independent school, where he also serves as the dean of students. His commitment to education, both in the classroom and in his work with fellow educators, continues to inspire and empower others to create positive, impactful learning environments.
 

Kevin Butler
Featured Video

Current: Kevin Butler

Time 01:41

Kevin Butler
Featured Keynote Programs

Lights, Cameras, TEACH
Engagement, Culture, and Relationships

Duration: 75-90 minutes (includes hands-on activities)

Can be shortened to a 50-minute keynote without the hands-on component

Action! While teachers may not train to be entertainers, capturing and holding students’ attention is essential to effective learning. This session dives deep into the importance of engaging students in active, hands-on learning to foster a dynamic 21st-century classroom. Participants will explore practical strategies for transforming lessons into authentic learning experiences, with quick, engaging activities that get students moving and involved. Educators will also learn how to build a positive, inclusive classroom culture where all students feel safe, heard, and respected. Kevin will share his favorite tools and resources for every grade level and subject area. The session concludes with a reflection on Kevin’s personal WHY, reminding educators of the deep motivations that drive success in the classroom.
 

Creating (and using) Authentic Questioning

Duration: 45 minutes 

Kevin will guide participants through the Question Formulation Technique, a powerful, structured process that helps students generate, refine, and analyze meaningful questions. Rather than simply answering questions, learners learn how to create them, turning a single prompt into a rich set of thoughtful inquiries. Participants will experience the strategy firsthand and leave ready to use it with any grade level, subject area, or professional team. 

Reignite Your School's Culture!

Duration: 60 minutes

Best paired with "Building School Relationships"

Elevate your school's staff morale with this energetic, hands-on workshop designed to motivate and unite your team! Kevin will engage participants in team-building activities that are both fun and impactful, helping to strengthen bonds and spark creativity. Through games like Egg Roulette, Puzzlemania, Frozen T-shirt, Lies in a Box, and Last One Standing, teachers will experience firsthand how these engaging activities can foster a positive school culture and provide immediate ideas for the classroom. This session will leave your staff revitalized, ready to implement strategies that bring excitement and collaboration into every corner of your school.

Morning Meetings and Classroom Culture

Duration: 30 - 45 minutes

Kick-start your school day with energy and purpose by transforming your morning meetings into a dynamic cultural touchpoint for your classroom! In this session, Kevin will share innovative ideas for creating interactive and engaging morning routines that build community and set the tone for a positive learning environment. You’ll learn how to implement Kevin's "Morning Co-host Show" format, a creative and easy-to-execute approach that requires little to no prep. The session also includes practical strategies and resources for promoting Social-Emotional Learning (SEL), student-centered learning, and setting your students up for success from the very start of the day.
 

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Kevin Butler
Featured Book

Lights, Cameras, TEACH!: A Screenplay for Engagement, Culture, and Relationshipsby Kevin Butler

Lights, Cameras, TEACH!: A Screenplay for Engagement, Culture, and Relationships

by Kevin Butler

And . . . Action!

While teachers don’t train to be entertainers, teaching must capture students’ attention and, yes, at times entertain them. This doesn’t mean that every lesson has to be a Broadway musical number, but it does require educators to be intentional when engaging students in active learning. In Lights, Cameras, TEACH!, Kevin J. Butler brings the magic of the movies to the classroom, presenting a scene-by-scene script packed with film-inspired ideas for educators.

Of course, a blockbuster classroom is more than just fun. It’s a powerful reflection of collaborative effort to achieve a shared vision. Like directors, educators do their best work when they build relationships, and when students, parents, colleagues, administrators, and staff work together with teachers toward a common goal, just like in the movies, anything is possible! Drawing on his experiences in Hollywood and incorporating the voices of students and educators from around the country, Kevin Butler offers a vision for classroom engagement that’s sure to be a smash hit in your school.

Endorsements

“Kevin Butler is a phenomenal educator. You would be hard-pressed to find a book that gives more practical, effective strategies that you can implement right away.” —Kim Bearden, cofounder, executive director, and language arts teacher, the Ron Clark Academy

“Filled with practical ideas that will hook your students like never before! Not only does Kevin provide ideas for classroom transformations and games, he also offers ideas to help build connections within the classroom and across communities.” —Deedee Wills, award-winning educator, international speaker, and curriculum developer at Mrs. Wills Kindergarten

“Lights, Cameras, TEACH! is outstanding. It takes readers on a cinematic journey into the whimsical world of creating entertaining yet educative spaces for students.” —Dr. Richard Warren Jr., Maryland State Teacher of the Year, educator, and national speaker

Kevin Butler
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Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers to some of the most common questions about booking Kevin Butler for your event.
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How do I book Kevin Butler for my event?

Booking Kevin Butler 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.
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