In our Solution Tree book, Leaders of the Class: Units for Teaching Motivation, Perseverance, Communication, and Collaboration in the Secondary Classroom, we draw upon decades of classroom experience and key research to help teachers introduce leadership development into academics. We unpack the definition of leadership, examine interactive pedagogy structures that allow all students to take on leadership roles, and explore self-reflection and self-assessment tools students can employ to set and see progress on concrete leadership goals. Each unit includes personal stories and insights, research, and a suite of practical tools that teachers can use in their daily practice. Leaders of the Class is inspired by and informed by our experiences collaborating with amazing educators.

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.