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So Who is Dedra Stafford… and Why
Should She Be Your Next Speaker?

Dedra Stafford is a passionate educator with a belief in the power of positive purposeful teaching. Her goal is to play a small part in helping educators find (and keep) their joy for education while gaining new skills. Dedra combines audience interaction and her personal story of her educational journey to create an entertaining and inspirational experience, leaving audiences with a newfound determination to do “whatever it takes” to reach all students.

As a former classroom teacher, professional development specialist, and current school board member with over 20 years in education, she understands the need for professional development that can be implemented immediately into the classroom.

Known as the "Queen of Practical," her easy to use implementation ideas help teachers put proven practices into place to impact engagement, instruction and student achievement. Dedra's toolbox includes social and emotional learning, growth mindset, rigorous instructional strategies, differentiated instruction, technology integration, formative assessment, restorative practices and teacher/student motivation. Having such a vast skill base has made her a popular presenter and coach working with local, state, and national organizations in over 40-states nationwide and 3 international schools.

Much of Dedra’s time is spent supporting high-risk schools in an embedded capacity. She has the ability and versatility to come into a school and work with the leadership team to develop a professional development plan that is responsive to the students’ needs and teachers’ needs in that specific school. Dedra has worked with multiple “School Improvement Grant-SIG” schools, developing embedded PD plans that combine PLC Training, model teaching, co-teaching, and classroom observations.

Dedra is the author and co-author of 4 educational books including, the best-selling book Teaching Kids to Thrive: The Other Essential Skills for Success with Dr. Debbie Silver and newly released in 2018, Summarization in Any Subject with Rick Wormeli. She stays connected to teachers and the classroom through the Teaching Kids to Thrive website (full of free resources for teachers) and her teachers' social media resource, Teachtiviites: From Pencils to iPads.

A Few More Details You Might Want to Know

Education

  • Masters in Educational Leadership & Administration 
  • State Superintendent's License
  • Highly Qualified in Reading, Language Arts, and Social Studies



Teaching

  • 20+ Years of Experience in Education
  • State Lead Teacher for Technology Integration
  • Lead Teacher Trainer


Other Accomplishments

  • Co-author with Educational Leaders Dr. Debbie Silver and Rick Wormeli
  • Best Selling Education Author 
  • Keynote Speaker for State and National Conferences
  • School Improvement Grant Transformation Team for Multiple Schools with Significant Gains

So Who is
Dedra Stafford…
and Why
Should She Be Your Next Speaker?

Dedra Stafford is a passionate educator with a belief in the power of positive purposeful teaching. Her goal is to play a small part in helping educators find (and keep) their joy for education while gaining new skills. Dedra combines audience interaction and her personal story of her educational journey to create an entertaining and inspirational experience, leaving audiences with a newfound determination to do “whatever it takes” to reach all students.

As a former classroom teacher, professional development specialist, and current school board member with over 20 years in education, she understands the need for professional development that can be implemented immediately into the classroom. Known as the
"Queen of Practical," her easy to use implementation ideas help teachers put proven practices into place to impact engagement, instruction and student achievement. Dedra's toolbox includes social and emotional learning, growth mindset, rigorous instructional strategies, differentiated instruction, technology integration, formative assessment, restorative practices and teacher/student motivation. Having such a vast skill base has made her a popular presenter and coach working with local, state, and national organizations in over 40-states nationwide and 3 international schools.

Much of Dedra’s time is spent supporting high-risk schools in an embedded capacity. She has the ability and versatility to come into a school and work with the leadership team to develop a professional development plan that is responsive to the students’ needs and teachers’ needs in that specific school. Dedra has worked with multiple “School Improvement Grant-SIG” schools, developing embedded PD plans that combine PLC Training, model teaching, co-teaching, and classroom observations.

Dedra is the author and co-author of 4 educational books including, the best-selling book Teaching Kids to Thrive: The Other Essential Skills for Success with Dr. Debbie Silver and newly released in 2018, Summarization in Any Subject with Rick Wormeli. She stays connected to teachers and the classroom through the Teaching Kids to Thrive website (full of free resources for teachers) and her teacher’s social media resource, Teachtiviites: From Pencils to iPads.

A Few More Details You Might Want to Know

Education

  • Masters in Educational Leadership & Administration 
  • State Superintendent's Licence
  • Highly Qualified in Reading, Language Arts, and Social Studies



Teaching

  • 20+ Years of Teaching Experience 
  • State Lead Teacher for Technology Integration
  • Lead Teacher Trainer


Other Accomplishments

  • Co-author with Educational Leaders Dr. Debbie Silver and Rick Wormeli
  • Best Selling Education Author 
  • Keynote Speaker for State and National Conferences
  • School Improvement Grant Transformation Team for Multiple Schools with Significant Gains

Testimonials From Dedra's Presentations and Long Term Work In Schools

“Grant High School was one of the lowest performing schools in the state of Oklahoma.  In two years’ time, it became the highest performing comprehensive high school Oklahoma City.  This was no small accomplishment. The transformation happened with a focused approach to professional development.  Classroom management, integrating technology for student engagement, data analysis, and differentiated instruction were our focus.  Dedra Stafford was an integral part of the transformation team and led many of our professional development trainings with a systematic approach. She worked one-on-one with teachers and administrators to help the transformation happen.  We couldn’t have made the huge gains in such a short time frame without her.”--Tamie Sanders, Executive Director of Secondary Schools & Reform OKCPS

 "Thanks again for being entertaining and inspiring as well as sharing some very practical classroom strategies." - Jill Faith

"Wow! This was a great workshop. I didn’t look at my watch once. Very entertaining and I now have a lot of new resources to take back to the classroom." - Anonymous Attendee

"It was inspiring knowing that someone who had such a hard upbringing was able to "persevere" through adversity. She really practiced what she preached (literally). Thanks!" - Robert Wheatley

"Thanks for the oxygen!" - Tia Stuckey

“Dedra Stafford has been an important member of our team over the last three years.  During 2012-2013 Hillcrest Elementary was listed as a Priority school with the lowest grade in OKCPS.  Dedra started us on our way during 2012-2013 helping teachers via embedded professional development with Classroom Management, Technology, Best Practices, writing effective Lesson Plans and much more.  As a result of our CRT tests at the end of 2013-2014 we raised our grade by 30 points which reflected the fourth largest growth in the State of Oklahoma.  Dedra’s professional development and on-going relationship with our teachers was a big part of this growth.”---Barbara Barefoot, Principal of Hillcrest Elementary

"You provided concrete strategies that I will be able to provide both the general education and special education staff during in-service training. Your strategies provided support to what I knew, but also you provided resources that I was unfamiliar with" - Lesile Gleghorn

"“Wow! Dedra, you were so inspirational and motivating. I felt like you knew where we were coming from. Nice insight into the world of teaching 5 year olds. Thanks for recharging my ‘batteries’”" - Jill Valentine

"Thank you for helping to broaden my perspective, encourage my thinking, and for your positive influence in growing my vision. I appreciate YOU!! " - Kelli Rogers

"Thank you! I have taught for 32 years. A day spent with you was the rejuvenation I needed to implement more technology on a daily basis with my students." - Deb Hathaway

"I wish to thank you for the workshop lectures in Qatar Academy, Doha last week. I attended all your lectures and really felt motivated and transformed, better equipped mentally as well as physically to deliver more effective lessons in the middle year school." - Rajeeve Sharma

"“I love the 21 day challenge that you gave us. I felt so energized after you spoke. Thank you for being a fresh breath of air.”" - Jackie Brueggemann

"Your message and personal story was just what I needed to lift me up and make me want to keep working hard. I am so glad I was here for your keynote!" - Anonymous Attendee