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Debbie Silver
Teacher, Author & Humorist
Debbie Silver
Teacher, Author & Humorist
Biography
With 30 years spent as a teacher, staff development instructor, and university professor, Debbie Silver doesn't just know her way around the classroom- she is familiar with the challenges educators face at every level, from kindergarten to college. One of the nation’s most popular keynote speakers and professional development presenters, this former Louisiana State Teacher of the Year has given presentations around the world (including 49 states, Canada, Mexico, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia), helping audiences to interact with students on a more meaningful level.
Debbie's best-selling book, Drumming to the Beat of Different Marchers: Finding the Rhythm for Differentiated Learning, has been recognized for its insights into research-based models, teaching strategies, management tips, and inspirational "from-the-heart" lessons for addressing individual differences. It is her humor, her practicality, and her ability to connect with students, teachers, parents, and administrators, however, that has made her a popular choice for keynotes, workshops, and breakout sessions.
Her book, Fall Down 7 Times, Get Up 8: Teaching Kids to Succeed, is being heralded by parents, teachers, and administrators as a “fresh approach to getting kids to work smarter and better.” In it she explains motivational theory and provides down-to-earth examples of concrete, applicable guidelines for helping students overcome setbacks and failure to foster lifelong success.
Debbie’s newest release, Deliberate Optimism: Reclaiming the Joy in Education, offers research-based strategies, practical examples, and thought-provoking scenarios to help recharge educators and schools. With a healthy dose of humor to make it fun, Deliberate Optimism demonstrates the actual difference a change in attitude can make.
Debbie Silver’s mission is to remind educators of how important they are in the lives of children, highlighting both learning theory as well as tools for communication. She makes important points while sharing poignant stories and lots of laughs. She firmly believes that teachers need to be having fun and staying in touch with their passion, to make their biggest impact in the classroom.
When she's not working as an educational speaker and writer, Debbie enjoys spending time in Texas with her husband, Dr. Lawrence Silver, and with their five sons and their families who live in five different states.
Speech Topics
Be a Teacher — Be a Hero!
In this presentation Debbie Silver utilizes humor and thoughtful insights to remind audiences of how important teachers (and other educators) are in the lives of children. Through poignant stories and hilarious characterizations, Debbie connects with the souls of all who work with students. Audience members laugh and cry as Debbie reminds them of the value of each and every child in the classroom.
Time: 50 to 90 minutes
Audience Options: Teachers, Future Teachers, Teacher Support Staff, and Administrators
Note- All keynotes can be presented in workshop format
Drumming to the Beat of Different Marchers — Engaging All Learners
Based on her best-selling book, Drumming to the Beat of Different Marchers Finding the Rhythm for Differentiating Learning, Debbie Silver offers her wisdom and humor to answer the question, "How do we engage students from all backgrounds and experiences?" She demonstrates how to capitalize on student strengths and elicit greater achievement gains and higher motivation among students. Dr. Silver shares her views on what she considers a non-negotiable in education that every student deserves a reasonable chance at success. Participants leave with new ideas for creative instructional and assessment strategies as well as ideas for preparing 21st century learners.
Time: 1-3 Hours
Audience Options: Students, Teachers, Teacher Support Staff, Future Teachers, Administrators, School Board Members, Parents, and Support staff (bus drivers, cafeteria workers, custodial staff, secretaries, assistants, etc.)
Note- All keynotes can be presented in workshop format
The Art & Heart of Education
Note: This keynote is a blend of "Be a Teacher -- Be a Hero," and "Drumming to the Beat of Different Marchers.”
In this presentation Dr. Debbie Silver utilizes humor and compassion to remind audiences how important all adult advocates are in the lives of students. She demonstrates how to build relationships with students while challenging them to reach higher goals. Her belief is that all children have gifts, and educators hold the important key for getting students to “open them.” Audiences laugh and cry as they are reminded about the value of each and every learner and the joy of connecting with students.
Time: 1-3 Hours
Audience Options: Teachers, Future Teachers, Teacher Support Staff, Administrators, School Board Members, Parents, and Support staff (bus drivers, cafeteria workers, custodial staff, secretaries, assistants, etc.)
Note- All keynotes can be presented in workshop format
Fall Down 7 Times, Get Up 8: Teaching Kids to Succeed
Do ask every yourself, “Just how am I supposed to motivate these kids?” The real question, of course, is how to we get them to motivate themselves? Based on extensive research for her new book, Fall Down 7 Times, Get Up 8: Teaching Kids to Succeed, Dr. Debbie Silver offers surprising new findings about fundamental ways we can change our teaching practices to help kids become self-motivated. Come prepared to have your thinking challenged and to receive a multitude of strategies that help learners develop internal motivation and resiliency.
Time: 1-3 Hours
Audience Options: Teachers, Future Teachers, Teacher Support Staff, Administrators, School Board Members, Parents, and Support staff (bus drivers, cafeteria workers, custodial staff, secretaries, assistants, etc.)
Note- All keynotes can be presented in workshop format
Pay It Forward
In this celebration of education employees Debbie Silver congratulates those who “go outside the lines” to ensure the best environment for all students. She utilizes humor and reflective insights to remind audiences of how important all the adults in school are in the lives of children. Through poignant stories and hilarious characterizations, Debbie connects with the souls of all who work with students. Audience members laugh and cry as Debbie reminds them of the value of each and every student at school.
Time: 50 to 90 minutes
Audience Options: Administrators, School Board Members, and Support staff
*Note: Modification of this presentation for counselors, bus drivers, school secretaries, librarians, parents, and/ or other educational support personnel can be customized.
Note- All keynotes can be presented in workshop format
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