As educator-storytellers, we have a passion for delivering compelling presentations anchored in research, personal insights, and expertise in the classroom and school leadership. We bring a positive, personal touch to every keynote, and we’ll work closely with you to craft a message that helps set the tone, reinforce the theme, entertain, and engage and inspire attendees.

James Simon and Maureen Chapman of Cor Creative Partners have become extremely valued contributors to our NELMS Annual Conference community through their outstanding keynote presentations, workshops, and exhibitor presence. Their keynote, The Motivated, Motivating Leader: Inspiring Students, Colleagues, and Ourselves, perfectly captured what educators need most right now: inspiration grounded in practical action. James and Maureen bring a rare combination of energy, optimism, and authenticity that immediately connects with educators and leaves participants feeling both energized and empowered! Jeff Rodman, Executive Director, New England League of Middle Schools

What makes Maureen and James especially effective is the balance they create together. Their dynamic partnership keeps audiences engaged, curious, and actively involved throughout their sessions. Beyond inspiration, they provide educators with concrete strategies and skills that can be implemented immediately in classrooms and schools. Year after year, they have consistently received enthusiastic feedback from our conference attendees, and we highly recommend them to any organization seeking presenters who can motivate educators while also delivering meaningful, practical impact.  Timothy Allen, Assistant Executive Director, New England League of Middle Schools

You both brought it for the keynote. You did a fantastic job of synthesizing my jumbled thoughts and half-baked plans with the theme for the day. You provided the right amount of balance between the anecdotes and the research. In a world where some consultants implement canned strategies to different settings, the custom keynote exceeded my expectations! Dr. Cari Perchase, Bellingham Public Schools

Love School – What would it take for all students—and all educators—to truly love school?

Longtime educators and authors Maureen Chapman and James Simons love school, and they are here to spread that love! In this engaging and energizing keynote, Maureen and James combine funny and moving classroom stories with accessible and thought-provoking educational research. They celebrate the joyful, skillful, caring work that educators do, all while honoring the real challenges that educators face. During the course of the keynote, Maureen and James offer practical ideas for overcoming common challenges and fostering the conditions that we all need to experience a sense of curiosity, purpose, and belonging.
This keynote is a love letter and a call to action, outlining ways we can increase connection, learning, and growth, empowering everyone to reach their potential and build the life that they deserve.

Leaders of the Class – Traditionally, formal leadership development is extended to those who hold formal power in corporate settings. But the skills of leadership are essential for all of us. Based on work in their book of the same name, Maureen Chapman and James Simons provide insights and strategies from the world of leadership development to support every adult and child in a school to identify as a leader and to be identified as a leader. With research and stories from across contexts, and rooted in deep school-based experience, this relatable and engaging keynote provides inspiration to educators at any point in the school year.

Igniting Motivation – Motivation can feel like a magic ingredient in a secret recipe. This keynote provides clear and actionable insights into how educators can take away the mystery and ignite motivation in others by tapping into their emotions and identity. The talk is designed to apply to all members of the school community, whether you’re looking to reach students with their heads on the desk, resistant colleagues, or even your own self in moments of overwhelm. With research and stories from across contexts, and rooted in deep school-based experience, this relatable and engaging keynote provides an opportunity for educators to reconnect with their own motivation and support others to do the same. 

Keeping On – Developing Perseverance – Whether we are educators or students, sometimes we all feel like giving up. This keynote provides inspiration to persevere through these moments by developing more awareness of what’s getting in the way of our progress and what we need to regulate and move through that resistance. Drawing on examples from other contexts and rooted in deep school-based experience, this keynote leaves educators feeling validated for their challenges, encouraged to take care of themselves, and inspired to keep on keeping on.

Breaking Through: Building Relationships Through Hard Conversations – Sometimes the conversation we are avoiding is exactly the one we most need to have. This keynote provides inspiration to approach a conversation that can feel full of unpleasant emotions, centered in a belief in ourselves and the person with whom we are communicating. The keynote provides strategies to prepare for and engage in conversations about emotionally charged topics in ways that ultimately strengthen relationships and allow us to break through unpleasant emotions and shift our energy to motivating work

Team Work Makes the Dream Work: Challenges and opportunities inside of collaboration Sometimes it can feel faster and more effective to go it alone, or to ask students to do the same. But social work is more essential than ever in today’s world, providing us opportunities to build connection, take new perspectives, and think bigger about how to solve problems. This keynote provides insights and action steps for fostering positivity and productivity on teams, so that every member feels valued and valuable.