Meet Your Trainer

Charles’ philosophy about teaching and leading is simple: “The more I know you the better I can serve you.”  He knows the value of building positive relationships with all stakeholders.  When it comes to working with kids, he agrees with Madeline Hunter when she said, “Kids don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care!”  You are not going to reach some kids academically until you first connect with them on a “human to human” level.  Sometimes the subject matter in our classrooms can’t compete with the challenges in their lives.    Charles knows from first-hand experience and 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 and school leaders don’t need any more theory nor do they need new, trendy programs or gimmicks.

Charles believes educators need to be given research based, proven, practical strategies and applications that they can start implementing immediately – without throwing anything out that is working in their classrooms or schools.  He believes that teachers are the most valuable and impactful people in front of students every day and should be provided with meaningful and relevant professional learning.  He also believes that 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.

He 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 simply does not work.

Charles also knows the biggest unchallenged assumption by many today 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 YouTube, video games, social media, and a myriad of other influences. While there’s not much we can do from 4:00 PM until 8:00 AM,  there is a lot we can do from 8:00 AM until 4:00 PM.

With 30 years of experience, Charles has been through the maze of education and he is dedicated to going back through the maze helping educators be successful through motivation, inspiration, and a common-sense approach to teaching and leading.  Most importantly, he leaves educators empowered with as many proven, practical strategies as he can to make a lasting impact.