Jonathan Mooney was one of “those kids”: One of those Kids who couldn’t sit still and spent elementary school chilling out with the janitor in the hallway.
Couldn’t keep his mouth shut, so he spent middle school on a first name basis with Shirley, the receptionist in the principal’s office; And one of those kids who spent much of high school hiding in the bathroom to escape reading out loud with tears streaming down his face. Growing up he had ever label under the sun: The Bad kid, the dumb kid, the “at risk kid”, the special ED kid. He was diagnosed with dyslexia in fourth grade, dropped out of school for a time in sixth grade and had a plan for suicide when he was 12 years old. He had many low expectations that surrounded him. He was told he would be a high school drop out; he was told he would flip burgers for a living, and he was told that people like him usually end up incarcerated.
But he beat those odds, graduating from Brown University with an honors degree in English lit. How did he do it? That question is the heart of Jonathan's personal, humorous, and research based talk.
In this presentation, Jonathan explores three ideas that changed his life and that all educators can adopt to support vulnerable and at risk learners. He provides concrete strategies to support teachers in building a positive learning identity when many students like him self believe they are “stupid, crazy, and lazy”; he outlines a strengths based approached the gives teacher concrete idea on how to scale students strengths and build contextualized learning pathways; and he explores the power of student teachers connections and relationships as the foundation of transformative learning environments. And through all of this, Jonathan celebrates educators as change agents and education as a powerful tool for personal and social transformation.
A biology lesson in a museum, surrounded by paintings. Classes on happiness instead of the quadratic equation. Getting an “A” for being the best student at handling failure.
In scattered pockets across the country, often unknown and unseen, a revolution is quietly brewing. Parents and educators are turning education on its head, radically re-conceiving both its purpose and its forms. A growing insurgent movement of parents, educators, thinkers, entrepreneurs and activists are dragging the education system kicking and screaming into the 21th century. And they’re supported by findings from the learning sciences, information technology, and a rapidly evolving understanding of human thriving, which are challenging every aspect of our antiquated education model, from its pedagogy to fiscal structures.
Jonathan Mooney's newest talk brings to life, and makes sense out of, the disruptive learning innovations that are rearing their heads everywhere. Classrooms are being “flipped” where teachers use technology to deliver content and invest their time in active learning; learning network co-ops are exploding; communities are being turned into classrooms; and college is being challenged as the sole gatekeeper to a successful adult life. Funny, real, and forward thinking, this presentations will inspire parents, teachers, not to reform schools but to re-imagine what education can be, to dare its potential, from the ground up.
Jonathan Mooney knows first hand the transformative power of after school programs.
During the school day, he was one of “those kids”. The kid chilling out with the janitor in the hall way or hiding in the bathroom to escape reading class. But in his after school programs, parks and rec robotics program, YMCA soccer league, school district run science programs, he was no longer the stupid, crazy, lazy kid but some one how could learn and be successful. In this personal, humorous, and researched based talk, Jonathan explores the foundational principles of transformative out of school time experiences that change kids lives.
Far from arguing that after school programs should “align” with the school day, Jonathan celebrates the unique pedagogy and values of the after school programs and raises the provocative challenge that the traditional school day should be more like the best after school programs.
We are happy to assist you with your interest in booking a speaker or celebrity for your event, your organization, and the type of talent you would like to secure, and an agent will be in touch shortly.
Fill out the form below to or call us at 1-800-698-2536 if need immediate assistance.
We respond to most inquiries within 4 hours. Under special circumstances, it may take up to 24 hours.
This website is a resource for event professionals and strives to provide the most comprehensive catalog of thought leaders and industry experts to consider for speaking engagements. A listing or profile on this website does not imply an agency affiliation or endorsement by the talent.
All American Entertainment (AAE) exclusively represents the interests of talent buyers, and does not claim to be the agency or management for any speaker or artist on this site. AAE is a talent booking agency for paid events only. We do not handle requests for donation of time or media requests for interviews, and cannot provide celebrity contact information.