For Educators
Do you want to create vibrant learning communities where students truly belong, and learn practical play leadership skills that build relational trust, emotional regulation, and engagement? I bring 35+ years of experience with a proven frameworks backed by neuroscience, so you can transform your classrooms into communities of care where both academic learning and social-emotional growth flourish.
“Since returning to school from the PD day training, I have a newly refreshed focus. I've tried a few of the circle games and improv games with my most challenging groups. I will tell you, what has happened is pure magic! Zero discipline issues & 100% engagement.”
~ Julie Wolfe, Librarian & Dean of Students, Indian River Central School
Workshops
My workshops are interactive experiences, where participants learn by doing rather than listening. Workshops can range from two hours to two days and can be combined with keynotes for a deeper understanding.
Scroll down for details and examples.
Can be tailored to any age group:
pre-k and kindergarten, early elementary, upper elementary, or middle/high school.
All workshops can be adapted to a keynote format.​​​
The Yes Brain - How Teaching the Basic Principles of Neuroscience Helps Kids Succeed
A yes brain is flexible and curious, willing to try new things, and even make mistakes. A yes brain is open to the world and relationships that help us relate to others and understand ourselves. A no brain is reactive and fearful, rigid and shut down, worrying that it might make a mistake.
“Howard’s keynote had a way of bringing our entire faculty together and feeling connected. Within the first 20 minutes, nearly everyone in the auditorium was standing up, jumping, laughing, and engaging with one another. As folks were exiting and heading to their next workshop session, I heard them say “That was rejuvenating, just what I needed to carry me through the afternoon!" The halls were filled with positivity and smiles for the remainder of the day!”
~ Jessica Applegate, Director of Learning Design, NCSU
Keynotes
My keynotes are unique: not only content-rich but also filled with fun, engagement and loads of participation. Simple stories, current research and easily accessible experiential exercises right there in your seats makes for an experience that will have your audience laughing and learning together.
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Keynotes can focus on any of the workshop themes: building communities of care and belonging with play, the importance of engagement and connection, and how building trusting relationships are vital in all that we do. To the side are a couple of my more popular keynotes for educators.
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I also create personalized keynotes blending any combination of topics, such as why engagement, connection, communication truly matter and why play is the way children truly learn.
Contact me to discuss possibilities
Improv Theater: Skills for Life
Improv is delightfully fun for everyone and ideal for keynotes and joyful professional development workshops. Skills you’ll learn include being a great teammate, choosing positivity, trusting your intuition, supporting your teammates, embracing the creative process, and being courageous.
I've perfected the art of improv through extensive work with the Adventure Game Theater and Rites of Passage workshops with teens (as featured in ReTribes’ Documentary - The Saltiest Chips).
It’s all About Connection: How Play and Engagement Create Relational Trust
All students need a feeling of safety, a sense of belonging, and authentic connection. Now more than ever, meeting these needs is vital to creating a dynamic learning environment. One of the fastest and most direct ways to create safety, belonging and authentic connection is through guided play.
In this keynote we will explore current research that highlights the importance of play-based learning for all ages and why more free play, play in nature, and risky play is important for everyone.
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We will experience this firsthand through engaging experiential exercises.
Creating connection, joy, and playfulness, reminds us how important it is to establish lasting, caring and meaningful relationships with all members of a learning community.
Embedded Play
There is nothing like putting concepts into action in the classroom. I’m available to come in and model effective play leadership with your students and teachers.​
“Play is the only activity in which the whole educational process is fully consummated.”
- N.V. Scarff
​Contact me about creating in-school opportunities for building connection and belonging with well-led social play.