Speaking
Past Presentations/Workshops/Keynotes
Unleash Your EduInfluence! (Keynote Address)
As teachers, administrators and support personnel, we make a difference in the lives of students every single day -- even when we don't realize it. Like superheroes, we possess incredible power capable of shaping the lives of those we serve. Be inspired and encouraged as Brent shares stories from the classroom and front office that remind us of our influence in the world of education -- our #EduInfluence.
The AI-Powered School Leader: Admin Tools and Techniques to Better Serve Your Stakeholders
This is a presentation designed specifically for school administrators ready to leverage AI to become more efficient and effective to better serve students, staff, and the school community. Brent shares practical ideas and tools to help streamline operations and enhance communication, so whether you are brand new to AI or an experienced user, come ready to learn some effective ways AI can save you time and make you a more effective leader.
Admin Tools to Boost Efficiency, Build Culture, and Increase Accessibility
A session for school leaders where Brent shares a variety of FREE tools and ideas (both digital and analog), along with PRACTICAL ways to use them. Not just hypotheticals presented in a vacuum, these are proven ideas admin near and far have successfully implemented in their organizations to build a positive school culture, save time, and increase accessibility within their school communities. With 10 different ideas shared, from an automated process for classroom walkthrough notes to AI language translation to morale-boosting strategies, this is a session you don’t want to miss! Attendees receive templates and tutorial videos to help keep the learning going so they can start using these ideas tomorrow!
Game-Changing Tech Tools
A "best of" session filled with seven of Brent's favorite game-changing tech tools...along with PRACTICAL ways to use them! Teachers and administrators, in a seemingly endless sea of apps and online resources, come learn how these FREE tools can help you save time, build classroom and campus culture, and make your instruction more accessible to students. From podcasting to free add-ons to live language translation, this is a session you don't want to miss! Live demonstrations provided and attendees walk away with tutorial videos and templates to continue their learning after the session.
Building Classroom and Campus Culture: Practical Ideas for Teachers and Administrators
Positive culture. Its presence (or lack thereof) is something you can feel when walking into a classroom or onto a school campus. When it's present, magical things can happen. When it's absent, joy and learning can be hard to come by. In this session, learn PRACTICAL ways to build a culture of appreciation, respect, and joy in your classroom and school. From technology-infused ideas to analog strategies, come learn how to make your school a place where students, teachers, and parents want to be!
Google Forms on Steroids
Many teachers and administrators are familiar with Google Forms, but most users typically only scratch the surface of what this powerful application can do. Come learn how this amazing tool, combined with free add-ons, can automate your workflow, saving you time for what's most important -- students. Attendees will leave inspired and with a collection of resources and tutorial videos to help them take Forms to the next level in their own classrooms and schools.
What Will They Remember? Making a Difference Beyond the ABCs and 123s.
Academics are important, but there’s more to being a great teacher than simply delivering lessons in your content area. Hear real-life stories from the classroom and tips on how you can be a teacher your students will remember for the rest of their lives!
Google Drive for Administrators: Come. See. Conquer
Let’s face it. School administrators frequently get bogged down with necessary but time-consuming administrative tasks that take away from what’s most important -- getting into classrooms, building relationships with students and parents, and supporting teachers. We are to be instructional leaders, but too often we get trapped in our office. In this 3-hour workshop, Brent uses Google Docs, Forms, and Sheets to share and help you create practical tools to enhance classroom walkthroughs, parent/staff communication, PLCs, and more.
Tweet to Learn! Twitter for Personalized, On-Demand Professional Development
We have PLCs at our schools, but imagine having a PLN (Professional Learning Network) made up of educators all over the world, all sharing resources on how to improve our craft. With Twitter, this is possible! Don’t know anything about Twitter? That’s okay. Brent will walk you through everything you need to know, from Twitter basics, to signing up, to finding people to follow and learn from. You may have heard it said the smartest person in the room is the room. True, but why settle for the room when you can have the world? Twitter can give you the world! Give Brent an hour and he’ll show you how!
Beyond the Newsletter: Practical Ways to Enhance School-Home Communication Using Technology
Smartphones are in most pockets and purses, meaning teachers and administrators can meet students and parents where they are, putting valuable information about the school and classroom in the palms of their hands – literally. If a monthly newsletter is black and white television, tools like Remind, ClassDojo, and social media are Blu-Ray. In this session, Brent shares free, practical, and effective ways to connect students and parents to the amazing things taking place at school.
Tech Tools for Teachers and Administrators
Looking for ways to utilize free and easy-to-use technology resources to become a more efficient and effective educator? In this session, you’ll learn how to use Google Forms in the classroom or office, create screencasts and podcasts for your students or staff, utilize Evernote to organize your notes, and much more!
Google Forms for School Administrators
Increase your efficiency and productivity by learning how to easily create and use Google forms for things like classroom walkthroughs, discipline reporting, and much more!
What I've Learned...Lessons from the Classroom
(and Office)
(and Office)
Everyone loves a good story, and with more than 20 years experience as a classroom teacher and administrator, Brent has an abundance of them to tell. Be inspired as he transparently shares some of his experiences (both successes and failures) in the classroom and front office, along with the invaluable lessons learned from these experiences. Whether you're a first-year teacher or a 25-year veteran, join Brent for story time with a message!
Extreme Makeover: Classroom Website Edition
You already have a classroom website, but now you want to take it to the next level. Learn from an experienced teacher how to transform your website by incorporating dynamic, practical, and easy-to-implement ideas. See how adding elements like audio, video, widgets, and student contests/clubs can not only provide your visitors with quality information, but a reason to return to your site again and again. The cost? Nothing but a little time since all of the ideas covered in this presentation can be implemented using already-installed software or free web resources!
Educational Technology: Without Why, How is Irrelevant
Too often, new technology tools are introduced to teachers in a "how-to" format, without first giving them a reason to use these new tools. Presentations like this leave teachers thinking, "That's a great tool, but how does it apply to my classroom?" Let Brent inspire you as he shares some of the "whys," as well as several specific "ways" teachers can use educational technology in their classrooms.
Podcasts and iPod Flash Cards: Study Tools for the 21st Century
Don’t compete with iPods and the Internet, technology that constantly vies for your students’ attention. Leverage it. Harness the tools that students already own and use on a daily basis. Learn from a classroom teacher how to easily create podcasts and iPod flash cards to help students review material and study for tests. Classroom examples, video tutorials, and web links will be provided. Don’t let technology get in the way of your students studying - make it part of their studying!