Meet Your Trainer

Deonte’s philosophy about teaching stems from a quote from Madeline Hunter, “Kids don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care!” Seeing this first-hand, Deonte understands that students want to be seen, heard, and valued as humans. Sometimes the subject matter in our classrooms can’t compete with the “drama” in their lives. The main ingredient missing in a lot of our classrooms today is a “connection with kids.” Deonte believes that research is clear, when students know you value them as a human being, not just another student; they will work harder for you and challenge you less. He also believes teachers don’t need any more theory and new, trendy programs with catchy names. Deonte believes teachers need to be given research based, proven, practical strategies and applications that teachers can start implementing immediately – without throwing anything out that is working in their classroom.

Deonte believes educators have the toughest job in America as they are asked every day to wear many different hats – mom, dad, nurse, counselor, teacher, advisor, judge, jury, lawyer – just to name a few. Deonte understands that students come into our classrooms and schools with different backgrounds and cultures and their cognitive abilities, assets and experiences are just as wide ranging.  Sometimes the only thing students have in common is their age! The “one size fits all” approach does not work anymore.

Deonte also knows the biggest unchallenged assumption by many today (especially politicians) about education is that kids are coming to school willing and ready to learn. As educators, we know this is not the case. We have a generation of kids coming to our schools basically un-socialized. Many students are learning behavior from TikTok, YouTube, and a whole myriad of other technology-based forms of entertainment. Deonte knows there’s not much we can do from 4:00 PM until 8:00 AM but there is a lot we can do from 8:00 AM until 4:00 PM.

Deonte is dedicated to helping educators be successful through motivation, inspiration, humor and a common-sense approach to stress management. Most importantly, he leaves educators with as many proven, practical strategies as he can. After all, it was his teachers and counselor who believed in him when he didn’t believe in himself.  Not just being told, but being SHOWN that they are enough, will ignite their fire and drive, and it is all because of passionate, driven, and loving teachers.