50 Best PD Speakers for Schools in the USA (2026)

Finding the right professional development speaker for your school or district is one of the highest leverage decisions you will make all year. The wrong choice leaves teachers scrolling their phones during a forgettable in-service day. The right choice shifts how your entire staff thinks about instruction, leadership, and student engagement for months afterwards.

The challenge for principals, superintendents, and PD coordinators across the United States is that the market is enormous. Thousands of speakers, bureaus, and organisations compete for your limited professional development budget. Some deliver research backed strategies that transform classroom practice. Others deliver motivational fluff that evaporates by Monday morning.

This directory profiles 50 professional development speakers who consistently deliver results for K-12 schools and districts across America. The list spans leadership development, instructional practice, school culture, social emotional learning, equity, teacher wellbeing, and team dynamics. Every speaker included has a track record of working directly with schools and educators, not just corporate audiences repurposed for education events.

I have spent years facilitating workshops and delivering keynotes for schools across the United States, Australia, the United Kingdom, Singapore, Canada, India, and beyond. That experience has shown me exactly what separates a professional development session that changes practice from one that merely fills a calendar requirement. If you want to discuss which type of speaker or facilitator best fits your school's current challenges, email me at jonno@consultclarity.org and I am happy to share what I have seen work.

How to Choose a PD Speaker for Your School

Before browsing names, clarify what your school or district actually needs. A teacher motivation speaker delivers a very different outcome from a facilitator who builds assessment literacy or restructures your leadership team's communication. Start by identifying whether you need inspiration, skill building, culture change, or strategic alignment. Then match the speaker to that goal.

Look for speakers with genuine school experience. The best PD speakers have either taught in classrooms themselves or have spent years working inside school systems. Ask for references from schools similar to yours in size, demographics, and context. A speaker who transformed a suburban elementary school may not connect with an urban high school staff, and vice versa.

Consider whether you need a one off keynote or sustained professional learning. A single keynote can shift mindset and build energy. But lasting behaviour change typically requires follow up workshops, coaching sessions, or a year long implementation model. The speakers below offer a range of engagement types, from ninety minute keynotes to multi day facilitation and ongoing coaching partnerships.

Finally, check alignment between the speaker's framework and your existing school improvement priorities. Introducing a new framework every year creates initiative fatigue. The strongest professional development connects to work already underway, whether that involves PLCs, standards based grading, trauma informed practice, or leadership pipeline development.

Leadership Development and Team Dynamics

1. Jonno White, Clarity Group Global

Specialty: Working Genius facilitation, leadership development, team alignment, DISC, StrengthsFinder  |  Best For: Schools seeking lasting culture change through team based frameworks

Jonno White is a Certified Working Genius Facilitator who helps schools understand why some types of work energise staff while others drain them completely. The Working Genius framework, developed by Patrick Lencioni and The Table Group, gives leadership teams shared language that shifts judgment to understanding and reduces conflict by revealing the natural genius each person brings to collaborative work.

Jonno has delivered keynotes and workshops across the United States, Australia, the United Kingdom, Singapore, Canada, India, and South Africa. He works with school leadership teams, teacher groups, and entire staff on Working Genius facilitation, DISC personality workshops, StrengthsFinder sessions, executive coaching, and strategic planning facilitation. His book Step Up or Step Out has sold over 10,000 copies globally and addresses the difficult conversations school leaders face daily. Jonno hosts The Leadership Conversations Podcast with over 230 episodes reaching listeners in more than 150 countries and founded The 7 Questions Movement with over 6,000 participating leaders.

At the ASBA 2025 National Conference, Jonno achieved a 93.75% satisfaction rating, and schools consistently report that his sessions create immediate, practical shifts in how teams collaborate. Having Jonno travel to the United States for face to face work is often far more affordable than engaging high profile domestic speakers through bureaus. For virtual or in person sessions, email jonno@consultclarity.org to discuss your school's specific needs.

Book: Step Up or Step Out

2. Ron Clark

Specialty: School culture, student engagement, leadership  |  Best For: Schools wanting to energise staff culture and student outcomes

Ron Clark rose to national prominence through his extraordinary success teaching students from underserved communities in North Carolina and New York City. Named Disney's American Teacher of the Year, his story inspired the film The Ron Clark Story. Today he leads the Ron Clark Academy in Atlanta, where thousands of educators visit annually to observe innovative techniques and joyful school culture. Ron's high energy keynotes blend inspiring stories with practical strategies for teamwork, leadership, and student engagement.

3. Kim Bearden

Specialty: Communication, school climate and culture, relationship building  |  Best For: Schools focused on culture transformation and teacher engagement

Kim Bearden is the cofounder, executive director, and language arts teacher at the Ron Clark Academy. More than 145,000 educators from around the world have attended her workshops to learn better ways to engage students and build relationships. Inducted into the National Teachers Hall of Fame and honoured as Disney's Outstanding Humanities Teacher, Kim brings 34 years of experience spanning roles as teacher, curriculum director, school board member, and principal. Her bestselling books include Fight Song, Talk to Me, and Crash Course.

4. Sean Covey, FranklinCovey Education

Specialty: Leader in Me, student leadership, The 7 Habits  |  Best For: Schools implementing Leader in Me or seeking comprehensive leadership culture

Sean Covey leads FranklinCovey's Education Practice, overseeing The Leader in Me process in schools across 147 countries. The Leader in Me applies The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People to K-12 settings, helping students develop leadership skills while equipping educators with a shared framework for culture and instruction. FranklinCovey's speakers bureau includes experienced coaches and consultants who deliver keynotes, training sessions, and ongoing implementation support tailored to individual school contexts.

5. Michael Bonner

Specialty: Classroom engagement, servant leadership, school culture  |  Best For: Schools wanting to build culture through joy and relationship

Michael Bonner is the CEO of Bonnerville and a teacher at the Ron Clark Academy who gained national attention after appearing on The Ellen Show and NBC Nightly News. His presentations help educators create environments where students thrive through connection and belonging. Michael's energetic style and proven strategies make his sessions ideal for teams seeking to improve culture, boost morale, and develop servant leaders across their school.

Instructional Practice and Research

6. Dr. Robert J. Marzano, Marzano Resources

Specialty: Evidence based instruction, assessment, high yield strategies  |  Best For: Districts seeking research grounded instructional improvement

Dr. Robert Marzano is cofounder and chief academic officer of Marzano Resources in Denver. With over 50 years in education, 50 published books, and more than 200 articles, he is one of the most cited researchers in American education. His work on high yield instructional strategies, standards based grading, and classroom assessment has shaped professional development programs in thousands of schools. Marzano Resources provides on site PD, virtual training, and comprehensive implementation support through Solution Tree.

7. Dr. Douglas Reeves

Specialty: Leadership effectiveness, assessment reform, school improvement  |  Best For: School leaders focused on data driven decision making

Dr. Douglas Reeves is an author of more than 30 books and 100 articles on leadership and organisational effectiveness. Twice named to the Harvard University Distinguished Authors Series and recipient of the Brock International Laureate for contributions to education, he received both the Distinguished Service Award from NASSP and the Contribution to the Field Award from the National Staff Development Council. His professional development work helps school leaders translate research into sustainable practice.

8. Dr. John Almarode

Specialty: Science of learning, Visible Learning, student engagement  |  Best For: Schools implementing evidence based teaching strategies

Dr. John Almarode is a bestselling author, professor of education at James Madison University, and expert on the science of learning. He works with the Visible Learning research team and helps educators translate cognitive science into classroom practice. John's sessions are known for combining rigour with energy, making complex research accessible and immediately applicable for teachers across grade levels and subject areas.

9. Erik Francis, Maverik Education

Specialty: Depth of Knowledge, higher order thinking, differentiated instruction  |  Best For: Schools focused on cognitive rigor and inquiry based learning

Erik Francis owns Maverik Education, providing professional development and consultation to K-12 schools, colleges, and universities on developing learning environments that challenge students to demonstrate higher order thinking. An ASCD author and faculty member, Erik has presented at national conferences hosted by ASCD, Learning Forward, the College Board, and AMLE. He has extensive experience working with at risk students, gifted learners, English language learners, and students with special needs.

10. Cassandra Erkens, Solution Tree

Specialty: Assessment, PLCs, collaborative common assessments  |  Best For: Schools strengthening assessment practices within PLCs

Cassandra Erkens is the author of eight books and a founding member of the Solution Tree Assessment Centre. Her work focuses on assessment, instruction, leadership, school improvement, and professional learning communities. As a facilitator, trainer of trainers, and coach, Cassandra helps teacher teams build comprehensive assessment systems that guide instruction and strengthen collaborative practice across school buildings and districts.

11. Dr. Willard Daggett

Specialty: School improvement, Model Schools, rigor and relevance  |  Best For: Districts seeking comprehensive school transformation

Dr. Willard Daggett founded the International Centre for Leadership in Education, now powered by HMH, and created the annual Model Schools Conference. His Rigor and Relevance Framework has become one of the most widely used tools for aligning instruction to real world application. Willard's keynotes challenge educators to prepare students for the demands of a rapidly changing economy while providing practical pathways for school improvement.

Teacher Motivation and Wellbeing

12. Dr. Adolph Brown

Specialty: Teacher motivation, self care, trauma informed practice, mental health  |  Best For: Schools wanting high energy openings or convocation keynotes

Dr. Adolph Brown, known as Doc Brown, brings what he calls a Party with a Purpose to school districts across America. A former at risk student turned child development expert and clinical psychologist, he delivers evidence based messages on mental toughness, self care, teamwork, and classroom management with music, humour, and profound personal stories. Doc Brown addresses educators from food services staff to principals, and his sessions on trauma informed teaching and collective teacher efficacy have impacted more than 100 Head Start programmes and school organisations nationwide.

13. Devin Siebold

Specialty: Teacher burnout, humor in education, classroom community  |  Best For: Schools wanting to re-energise fatigued staff through laughter

Devin Siebold combines more than a decade of stand up comedy with 13 years in Title I classrooms. Millions of teachers know him from his viral videos on TikTok, YouTube, and the Bored Teachers comedy tour. Devin shows educators how humour builds classroom community, improves mental wellness, and helps staff conquer negativity. Administrators regularly call him the best speaker they have had in decades because he leaves faculties laughing and genuinely inspired.

14. Dr. Tina Boogren, Marzano Resources

Specialty: Educator wellness, self care, professional vitality  |  Best For: Schools prioritising teacher retention and staff wellbeing

Dr. Tina Boogren is a long time Marzano Resources associate whose career focus has shifted to professional wellness for educators. Her books and workshops provide research based strategies for preventing burnout, building daily self care habits, and sustaining the energy teachers need to show up fully for their students. Tina's warm, practical approach helps schools create wellness cultures rather than treating self care as one more thing on a teacher's already overflowing plate.

15. David Edward Garcia

Specialty: Motivational comedy, resilience, educator empowerment  |  Best For: Schools wanting a funny and relatable convocation speaker

David Edward Garcia is a multilingual educator who brings high energy keynotes to students and staff alike. A former at risk student turned motivational comedian, David holds nine teacher certifications, three master's degrees, and is completing his doctorate in education. Voted Motivational Comedian of the Year, he has spoken across the globe, blending sharp humour with heartfelt messages about identity, resilience, and the power of storytelling. His multicultural background makes him a trusted voice in diverse school communities.

16. Chase Mielke

Specialty: Growth mindset, positive psychology, teacher motivation  |  Best For: Schools building growth oriented cultures for staff and students

Chase Mielke is a teacher, author, and speaker who specialises in applied positive psychology for education. His professional development sessions help educators understand the science behind motivation, engagement, and resilience. Chase bridges the gap between academic research and daily classroom practice, giving teachers concrete strategies they can implement immediately. His work on growth mindset and teacher wellbeing resonates with schools seeking to build sustainable cultures of professional learning.

School Culture and Climate

17. Dr. Anthony Muhammad, Solution Tree

Specialty: Transforming school culture, PLCs, equity in education  |  Best For: Schools addressing toxic culture and building collaborative teams

Dr. Anthony Muhammad is a Solution Tree author and presenter whose book Transforming School Culture has become essential reading for school leaders tackling cultural resistance to change. A former teacher, principal, and middle school leader, Anthony helps schools identify the belief systems that block student achievement and build cultures where collaborative practice becomes the norm rather than the exception. His direct, research backed approach resonates with school staffs who have grown cynical about professional development.

18. Dr. Joe Sanfelippo

Specialty: Digital leadership, school branding, community engagement  |  Best For: Schools wanting to amplify their story and build community trust

Dr. Joe Sanfelippo is an innovative superintendent, author, and host of the Hacking Leadership Podcast. His work focuses on how school leaders can use digital platforms and strategic communication to build community trust, attract and retain staff, and celebrate the positive work happening inside their buildings. Joe's presentations are high energy and practical, helping school leaders move from reactive communication to proactive storytelling that shifts public perception of their schools.

19. Nadia Lopez

Specialty: School culture, student advocacy, community building  |  Best For: Schools in underserved communities seeking inspiration and strategy

Nadia Lopez is the founding principal of Mott Hall Bridges Academy in Brooklyn, New York, who became a national figure after Humans of New York featured one of her students describing her impact. Nadia's keynotes and workshops focus on building school cultures where every student feels seen and valued, regardless of their circumstances. Her practical experience leading a school in one of New York City's most challenging neighbourhoods gives her credibility that resonates with educators working in similar contexts across America.

20. Adam Welcome

Specialty: Innovation, leadership, putting kids first  |  Best For: Schools wanting to break silos and foster innovation mindset

Adam Welcome is the author of Kids Deserve It! and co-founder of the movement bearing the same name. Recognised by the National School Board Association as a 20 to Watch and named Principal of the Year, Adam has worn every hat in education, from classroom teacher to Director of Innovation for a 35,000 student district. His energetic style and relatable stories make him a popular choice for professional development days and leadership conferences where the goal is challenging educators to be bold and collaborative.

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

21. Erin Gruwell

Specialty: Student voice, equity, literacy as empowerment  |  Best For: Schools seeking to engage diverse students through storytelling

Erin Gruwell is the teacher whose work with at risk students in Long Beach, California, inspired the book and film The Freedom Writers Diary. Her approach uses writing and storytelling to help students from diverse backgrounds find their voice and overcome adversity. Erin's professional development workshops help educators replicate the strategies she used to transform a classroom of students the system had given up on into college bound writers and thinkers.

22. Paul Gorski, Equity Literacy Institute

Specialty: Equity literacy, anti-bias education, systemic equity  |  Best For: Schools moving beyond awareness to structural equity practice

Paul Gorski founded the Equity Literacy Institute, which designs professional learning modules for schools, nonprofits, and other organisations. His work moves beyond surface level diversity training to help educators develop equity abilities, the practical skills required to recognise, respond to, and redress inequity in daily school practice. Paul's articles in Educational Leadership and his training programmes challenge schools to address systemic patterns rather than treating equity as an awareness exercise.

23. Zaretta Hammond

Specialty: Culturally responsive teaching, neuroscience of learning  |  Best For: Schools closing achievement gaps through brain based equity strategies

Zaretta Hammond is the author of Culturally Responsive Teaching and the Brain, a groundbreaking book that connects neuroscience research to culturally responsive pedagogy. Her professional development sessions help teachers understand how culture shapes the brain's learning processes and provides practical strategies for building intellectual capacity in diverse students. Zaretta's framework gives educators concrete tools rather than abstract principles, making her work particularly valuable for schools serious about closing opportunity gaps.

24. Cornelius Minor

Specialty: Literacy equity, student centred instruction, social justice in education  |  Best For: Schools integrating equity into daily instructional practice

Cornelius Minor is a Brooklyn based educator, author, and speaker whose work focuses on helping teachers create more equitable and joyful classrooms. His book We Got This: Equity, Access, and the Quest to Be Who Our Students Need Us to Be addresses the practical daily decisions that either open or close doors for students. Cornelius helps school staffs examine their own practices with honesty and compassion, making his sessions particularly effective for schools navigating conversations about equity and justice.

Social Emotional Learning and Mental Health

25. Dr. Joe Martin

Specialty: Teacher motivation, purpose driven education  |  Best For: Schools wanting to reignite veteran educator purpose

Dr. Joe Martin is a 26 year veteran educator known as The Teacher Motivator. Trusted by over 5,900 decision makers to deliver tangible impact, Joe's presentations help teachers reconnect with their original purpose and find renewed energy for the demanding work of education. His direct style and genuine classroom experience make his professional development sessions feel different from the typical consultant driven workshop because Joe speaks as a fellow educator who understands the daily realities of school life.

26. Jere Chang

Specialty: SEL, student voice, school culture  |  Best For: Schools building student centred approaches to wellbeing

Jere Chang brings a unique perspective to professional development through her focus on the intersection of student voice, social emotional learning, and school culture transformation. Her work helps educators create environments where students feel genuinely heard and empowered. Jere's sessions provide practical strategies for embedding SEL into daily instruction rather than treating it as a separate curriculum, making her approach sustainable for schools already managing multiple improvement priorities.

27. Brian Williams, Think Kindness

Specialty: Kindness campaigns, school culture, student leadership  |  Best For: Schools launching campus wide positive behaviour initiatives

Brian Williams is the founder of Think Kindness and a 4th degree black belt who uses martial arts, humour, and high energy storytelling to turn kindness from a buzzword into a measurable movement. His 15 Days of Kindness challenge helps schools launch student led campaigns that reduce bullying, improve behaviour, and build campus wide momentum. Featured on the TODAY Show, USA Today, and recognised by The White House, Brian's workshops equip educators with practical strategies for transforming their four walls.

28. TEEN TRUTH

Specialty: Student voice, school culture assemblies, staff training  |  Best For: Schools addressing bullying, peer pressure, and campus connection

TEEN TRUTH has impacted over 10 million students across North America since 2006 with their story driven school assembly and professional development programmes. Built around student voice, vulnerability, and real life challenges, TEEN TRUTH assemblies go beyond typical motivational speeches to create genuine connection on campus. Their team of trained speakers, including JC Pohl and Jamar Jones, delivers programmes for students, staff, and parents that address mental health, social emotional learning, and school culture.

EdTech and Innovation

29. Eric Sheninger

Specialty: Digital leadership, blended learning, school innovation  |  Best For: Schools integrating technology into instruction and leadership

Eric Sheninger is a former award winning principal turned international speaker and author whose work focuses on digital leadership and innovative school practices. His books include Digital Leadership and Disruptive Thinking in Our Classrooms. Eric helps school leaders understand how to leverage technology not as an add on but as a tool for improving teaching, learning, and communication. His practical approach resonates with administrators who want innovation without losing sight of instructional fundamentals.

30. George Couros

Specialty: Innovator's mindset, creative leadership, student empowerment  |  Best For: Schools building innovation culture among staff and students

George Couros is the author of The Innovator's Mindset and a globally recognised speaker on innovation in education. His work challenges schools to move beyond engagement toward genuine empowerment, where students and teachers create meaningful work that matters beyond the classroom. George's keynotes combine storytelling with practical strategies that help educators rethink their approach to instruction and leadership in an era of rapid technological change.

31. Catlin Tucker

Specialty: Blended learning, student agency, sustainable PD design  |  Best For: Schools implementing blended or station rotation models

Catlin Tucker is a bestselling author, speaker, and professor who helps schools implement blended learning models that put students at the centre of instruction. Her practical frameworks for station rotation, whole group rotation, and flipped classroom design have helped thousands of teachers shift from delivering content to facilitating learning. Catlin's professional development sessions provide teachers with templates and strategies they can use immediately, reducing the implementation gap that plagues most PD.

Literacy and Content Area Specialists

32. Kristin Souers

Specialty: Fostering resilient learners, trauma invested practice  |  Best For: Schools building trauma responsive systems

Kristin Souers is the author of Fostering Resilient Learners and Relationship, Responsibility, and Regulation, books that help schools shift from trauma informed awareness to trauma invested practice. Her work emphasises that supporting students who have experienced adverse childhood experiences requires schools to invest in their own adults first. Kristin's professional development helps educators build the relational capacity and regulatory skills needed to create genuinely safe learning environments.

33. Donalyn Miller

Specialty: Reading culture, independent reading, literacy leadership  |  Best For: Schools building vibrant reading cultures

Donalyn Miller is the author of The Book Whisperer and Reading in the Wild, books that transformed how thousands of schools approach independent reading. Her professional development work helps teachers create classroom environments where students choose to read because the culture supports and celebrates reading as a daily practice. Donalyn's practical strategies for building reading communities resonate with literacy coaches and classroom teachers who want to move beyond reading programmes to genuine reading cultures.

34. Steve Spangler

Specialty: STEM engagement, science literacy, hands on learning  |  Best For: Schools wanting to energise science instruction

Steve Spangler is an Emmy Award winning television personality, bestselling author, and STEM educator who has made science accessible and exciting for millions of students and teachers. His professional development sessions show educators how to use hands on experiments and inquiry based approaches to transform science instruction. As a featured keynote at events including Get Your Teach On, Steve's high energy presentations demonstrate that effective STEM teaching starts with wonder and curiosity rather than textbooks and worksheets.

Leadership and Administration

35. Dr. Todd Whitaker

Specialty: Principal leadership, teacher effectiveness, school improvement  |  Best For: Administrators seeking practical leadership frameworks

Dr. Todd Whitaker is one of the most recognised names in educational leadership, having authored over 50 books including What Great Teachers Do Differently and What Great Principals Do Differently. His professional development sessions provide school leaders with practical strategies for improving teacher effectiveness, building positive school cultures, and managing the daily challenges of school administration. Todd's ability to combine research with humour and real world examples makes his sessions consistently popular with both new and veteran administrators.

36. Jimmy Casas

Specialty: Culturize, school culture, leadership excellence  |  Best For: Schools wanting to build cultures of excellence, belonging, and trust

Jimmy Casas is the author of Culturize: Every Student. Every Day. Whatever It Takes. and a former high school principal recognised as Iowa's Principal of the Year. His work helps school leaders create cultures where every interaction matters and where the social and emotional climate of the building receives the same attention as academic outcomes. Jimmy's presentations challenge educators to examine whether their daily behaviours align with their stated values, making his sessions particularly powerful for leadership teams.

37. Dr. Tiffany Anderson

Specialty: Transformative leadership, community schools, equity  |  Best For: Districts serving high poverty communities seeking systemic change

Dr. Tiffany Anderson is a transformative Kansas superintendent who was named USA Today's Woman of the Year and is widely recognised for turning around school districts through a community schools model. Her approach addresses the whole child by integrating health services, family support, and academic intervention under one roof. Tiffany's keynotes at the Innovative Schools Summit and other major conferences share the practical systems she built to close achievement gaps in high poverty communities.

38. Dr. Temple Grandin

Specialty: Neurodiversity, different kinds of thinkers, career pathways  |  Best For: Schools building inclusive environments for neurodiverse learners

Dr. Temple Grandin is a professor, author, and one of the most recognised advocates for neurodiversity in education. Subject of the HBO biographical film Temple Grandin, her work helps schools understand that visual, pattern, and verbal thinkers all bring essential strengths to learning and the workforce. Temple's keynotes challenge schools to move beyond accommodating neurodiverse students toward genuinely valuing the different ways human brains process information, solve problems, and create new ideas.

Professional Development Organisations and Firms

39. Solution Tree

Specialty: PLCs, assessment, school culture, RTI  |  Best For: Districts wanting comprehensive, research based PD at scale

Solution Tree is one of the largest educational publishers and professional development providers in the United States. Their roster of featured presenters includes Robert Marzano, Anthony Muhammad, Cassandra Erkens, Mike Mattos, and dozens of other recognised experts. Solution Tree offers on site PD, virtual training, summits, institutes, and comprehensive school improvement programmes, with particular strength in Professional Learning Communities, assessment, and Response to Intervention frameworks.

40. Get Your Teach On

Specialty: Teacher PD conferences, instructional practice, classroom strategies  |  Best For: PreK-8 educators wanting energising, research backed PD experiences

Get Your Teach On has become one of the most popular professional development brands in American education, with 92.7% of attendees reporting their conferences are more engaging than other PD experiences. GYTO offers a national conference, on site PD through their GYTO Your Way programme, year long implementation models, and live model lessons where expert educators demonstrate strategies in actual classrooms. Their presenters are heavily vetted classroom teachers, school administrators, and experienced PD providers.

41. Learning Forward

Specialty: Professional learning standards, system level PD design  |  Best For: District leaders designing comprehensive PD systems

Learning Forward is the leading professional association for those who work in educator professional development. Their Standards for Professional Learning are referenced by school systems across the United States as the benchmark for high quality PD design. Learning Forward offers an annual conference, learning institutes, consulting services, and publications that help districts move from compliance driven professional development to learning that actually changes practice in classrooms.

42. Responsive Classroom, Centre for Responsive Schools

Specialty: SEL integration, classroom management, morning meeting  |  Best For: Elementary and middle schools building positive classroom communities

Responsive Classroom is an evidence based approach to teaching that integrates academic and social emotional learning throughout the school day. Their professional development workshops help teachers implement morning meeting, interactive modelling, logical consequences, and other strategies that build community while maintaining academic rigour. The Centre for Responsive Schools offers multi day institutes, on site training, and coaching support, with particular strength in elementary and middle school settings.

43. Instructional Empowerment

Specialty: Building expertise, instructional practice, school transformation  |  Best For: Schools focused on sustained instructional improvement

Instructional Empowerment delivers professional development through their Building Expertise conference and school partnership programmes. Their approach focuses on creating the conditions where teachers become experts at their craft through deliberate practice, coaching, and collaborative learning. Schools report that the combination of dynamic speakers, transformative sessions, and VIP atmosphere makes their events feel more like celebrations of the teaching profession than traditional PD obligations.

44. Ron Clark Academy

Specialty: Innovative teaching, school culture, classroom engagement  |  Best For: Educator teams wanting immersive, observational PD experiences

The Ron Clark Academy in Atlanta serves as both an innovative middle school and an educator training facility. Each year, thousands of educators from across the United States and around the world visit to observe Ron Clark, Kim Bearden, and their staff teach in real classrooms using the methods they present in keynotes and workshops. This observational model of professional development allows visiting educators to see strategies in action rather than simply hearing about them, making the Ron Clark Academy one of the most unique PD experiences available.

45. Innovative Schools Summit

Specialty: Multi-topic education conferences, at risk students, school discipline  |  Best For: Schools wanting broad conference exposure to multiple PD topics

The Innovative Schools Summit brings together internationally recognised thought leaders, administrators, teachers, and consultants at multiple events across the country each year. Their conferences combine keynotes from speakers like Dr. Temple Grandin, Ron Clark, and Dr. Tiffany Anderson with practitioner led sessions covering innovative teaching strategies, at risk student support, school climate and culture, trauma informed practice, and school leadership. Multiple conference tracks allow educators to customise their learning experience.

46. ASCD

Specialty: Whole child, curriculum, leadership, professional learning  |  Best For: Schools seeking research grounded PD from a trusted institution

ASCD is one of the most established names in educator professional development, publishing Educational Leadership magazine and offering conferences, online courses, books, and consulting services used by hundreds of thousands of educators. Their Whole Child framework and publications on topics ranging from differentiated instruction to trauma informed practice provide schools with research grounded resources. ASCD's annual conference is one of the largest K-12 education events in the world.

Independent Specialists and Emerging Voices

47. Clint Pulver

Specialty: Mentorship, employee retention, purpose driven leadership  |  Best For: Schools focused on retaining quality teachers through relationship

Clint Pulver is the bestselling author of I Love It Here and an Emmy Award winning speaker who has become a regular keynote at education conferences including Get Your Teach On. Known as the Undercover Millennial, Clint went undercover in over 200 organisations to discover what makes people love where they work. His research on mentorship and retention translates directly to the school staffing crisis, helping administrators understand what their best teachers actually need to stay committed and engaged.

48. Trevor Muir

Specialty: Project based learning, storytelling in education, student engagement  |  Best For: Schools implementing PBL or seeking creative instructional approaches

Trevor Muir is a passionate educator, speaker, and author who has gained international recognition for his innovative teaching methods and inspiring content. He began his career teaching middle and high school using project based learning in Michigan and continues to teach pre service teachers at Grand Valley State University. Trevor delivers keynotes and conducts workshops at schools and conferences around the world, helping educators unleash the full potential of both students and teachers through creative, project based approaches.

49. Bryan Goodwin, McREL International

Specialty: Research translation, school improvement, evidence based practice  |  Best For: Districts wanting to apply current research to school improvement

Bryan Goodwin is president and CEO of McREL International, a Denver based nonprofit education research and development organisation. A former teacher and journalist, Bryan has authored or co-authored several books including Simply Better and The 12 Touchstones of Good Teaching. He writes a monthly research column for Educational Leadership and presents findings to audiences across the United States, Canada, and Australia, translating complex research into best practices educators can apply immediately.

50. Dr. Candy Singh

Specialty: Transformational leadership, school culture, Leader in Me  |  Best For: Schools seeking experienced leadership development consulting

Dr. Candy Singh is a nationally recognised leader in education known for her transformational leadership and commitment to creating cultures of excellence. With over 34 years in K-12 and higher education, she currently serves as Clinical Professor of Leadership, Superintendent in Residence, and Director of the Centre for Educational Leadership at the University of La Verne in California. Candy's speaking and consulting work helps school leaders build the skills and systems needed to sustain high performing school cultures over time.

What to Look for in a PD Speaker

The best professional development speakers share several qualities that separate them from presenters who simply fill a time slot. First, they deliver content you can use on Monday morning. Inspiration without implementation is entertainment, and your PD budget deserves more than that.

Second, effective PD speakers are responsive to your specific context. They ask about your school's demographics, improvement goals, and existing initiatives before designing their session. A speaker who delivers the same keynote regardless of audience is a red flag. Third, look for speakers who offer follow up support. Whether that means a post session debrief call, access to digital resources, or the option to return for coaching sessions, the speakers who produce lasting results maintain connection beyond the event itself.

If you are struggling to choose between speakers or wondering which approach best fits your school's current stage, email me at jonno@consultclarity.org and I am happy to share an honest perspective based on what I have seen work across different school contexts internationally.

How Much Do PD Speakers Cost?

Education speaker fees vary significantly based on the individual's profile, experience, and event format. Fees typically start around $2,000 to $5,000 for independent facilitators and emerging voices, range from $5,000 to $15,000 for established education speakers with published books and national reputations, and can exceed $25,000 to $50,000 or more for high profile names represented by major speakers bureaus.

Virtual presentations typically cost less than in person events. Many speakers also offer bundled packages that combine a keynote with breakout sessions or follow up workshops, providing better value than booking individual engagements. For schools with limited budgets, consider international speakers whose travel costs may be lower than you expect. Having an experienced facilitator travel from Australia, for example, can be surprisingly affordable compared to domestic speakers represented through bureaus.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best professional development for teachers in the United States?

The best professional development combines research based content with practical classroom application. Programmes like Solution Tree's PLC at Work, Responsive Classroom, and Get Your Teach On consistently receive high ratings from educators. The most effective PD matches your school's specific improvement goals and includes follow up support.

How do I find a keynote speaker for a school PD day?

Start by identifying your PD goals and budget. Then explore speakers bureaus such as Premiere Speakers Bureau, The Lavin Agency, and Executive Speakers Bureau. You can also book directly with independent speakers and facilitators. Always ask for references from similar schools before committing.

How much does a professional development speaker cost for schools?

Education speaker fees range from $2,000 for independent facilitators to over $50,000 for high profile keynote speakers. Most established education speakers with published books charge between $5,000 and $15,000. Virtual sessions typically cost 30 to 50% less than in person engagements.

What topics are most popular for school PD in 2026?

The most requested topics include AI integration in classrooms, social emotional learning, trauma informed practice, teacher wellbeing and burnout prevention, culturally responsive teaching, assessment reform, and building professional learning communities. Schools are also increasingly requesting sessions on team dynamics and leadership development.

Can international speakers deliver PD to American schools?

Yes. Many international speakers work regularly with American schools both virtually and in person. Virtual delivery eliminates travel costs entirely, and in person international travel is often more affordable than you might expect. International speakers also bring valuable cross cultural perspectives on education challenges that are common worldwide.

About the Author

Jonno White is a Certified Working Genius Facilitator, keynote speaker, and the author of Step Up or Step Out, which has sold over 10,000 copies globally. He hosts The Leadership Conversations Podcast with over 230 episodes reaching listeners in more than 150 countries and founded The 7 Questions Movement with over 6,000 participating leaders. Jonno works with schools, corporates, and nonprofits across the United States, Australia, the United Kingdom, Singapore, Canada, India, and beyond, delivering Working Genius facilitation, DISC workshops, StrengthsFinder sessions, executive coaching, and strategic planning facilitation.

Email: jonno@consultclarity.org

Book: Step Up or Step Out on Amazon

100 Top Educational Leadership Speakers (2026)

Finding the perfect speaker for your educational leadership event requires more than browsing bureau listings. Whether you are planning a professional development session for school leaders, a conference for educational institutions, or a leadership development workshop, the right speaker transforms how principals, superintendents, and teachers approach their work.

This comprehensive directory features 100 educational leadership speakers who deliver fresh perspectives on everything from student achievement and instructional practice to team dynamics and whole school transformation.

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