Teaching Kids to Thrive: Essential Skills for Success

Debbie Silver is a very well known and regarded author and speaker whose new work will be in demand.

Teaching Kids to Thrive explores the key elements of learning that go far beyond subject matter knowledge and academic skill measurement.  The book covers what it takes to help students --all students-- move beyond merely coping and surviving.  The authors aim to teach students how to thrive and how to navigate successfully whatever the future holds for them.  The authors explore teaching social-emotional learning (SEL) skills as dispositions toward lifelong success. After reading this book, teachers will be more able to:

• Use mindfulness strategies
• Help students build upon their existing ability to self-regulate and motivate themselves.
• Guide students in developing their growth mindsets
• Cultivate an attitude and culture of perseverance in the classroom.
• Incorporate resilience practices into everyday lesson planning and interactions.
• Help students internalize how they can be responsible students and citizens.
• Demonstrate how honesty and integrity can help build stronger relationships and foster a community of support and empathy
• Use the strategies, tips, guidelines, stories, reflections, and inspiration from this book to ensure that students excel not only in their academic skills, but also in their Thrive skills, which lay the foundation for a healthy, whole, centered, and grounded young adulthood.

Learn more about Debbie Silver′s PD offerings

Debbie Silver is truly a “teacher’s teacher!” She is a former science teacher and an award-winning educator with 30 years of experience as a classroom teacher, staff development instructor, and university professor. Her numerous recognitions include being named the 1990 Louisiana State Teacher of the Year and the 2007 Distinguished Alumnus from the College of Education at Louisiana Tech University. Along the way, she has taught almost every grade level and most every kind of student.

Debbie is one of the most popular keynoters and professional development presenters in the United States. Audiences everywhere respond to her use of humor and sensitivity to remind them of how important teachers are in the lives of children. Her insights into student, teacher, and parent/guardian behaviors are as enlightening as they are funny. Through research-based theory, poignant stories, and hilarious characterizations, she connects with the souls of all who are involved in the lives of children.

Dr. Silver has been an invited author for several educational journals and has given keynotes at state, national, and international conferences in 49 states (just waiting on Delaware.), throughout Canada, Europe, Mexico, the Middle East, Africa, Australia, and Asia.

Debbie is the author of the bestselling book Drumming to the Beat of Different Marchers: Finding the Rhythm for Differentiated Learning. She is a coauthor of two other best-sellers, Deliberate Optimism: Reclaiming the Joy in Education and Teaching Kids to Thrive: Essential Skills for Success.

She and her husband, Dr. Lawrence Silver, have five grown sons, three daughters-in-law, two significant others, and eight grandchildren. When she’s not working as an educational speaker and writer, Debbie loves to visit their boys’ families in their assorted states. Debbie and Lawrence live in Melissa, TX with a German shepherd (Khali), two ragdoll cats (Khaki & Khan), and 2 aquatic frogs (Phil & Mike).

Debbie can be reached through her website: www.debbiesilver.com

Dedra Stafford is a dedicated consultant and a proud member of the Association of Middle Level Education and National Association of Secondary School Principals Speakers Cadres. She is an Educational Speaker and has presented at international, national, state, and local conferences across the nation including NMSA (National Middle School Association) sharing inspirational ideas, from technology to school climate. Dedra is passionate about providing quality staff development for educators. She an internationally known speaker, trainer and author in the educational world. Dedra creates entertaining workshops that get crowds energized, motivated, and inspired to be their ‘best’ for the students they serve. As a former classroom teacher, she understands the need for professional development where practical ideas can be implemented immediately into the classroom. She creates fun-filled workshops designed to be hands-on and interactive. Dedra has a unique ability to put educators at ease as she teaches concepts and beliefs incorporated with humor in a user friendly way. She speaks on the topics of about technology, climate, curriculum, and classroom techniques resulting in her audience laughing, learning, and having new enthusiasm for their work.