Education gives people the power to make their own happiness, particularly when supported with motivation and inspiration.
As a former classroom teacher and school administrator, Stephen G. Peters knows well how to help both students and educators realize their full potentials. He will reach out to educators at the Closing General Session of the International Literacy Association 2015 Conference on July 20.
Peters, CEO and president of The Peters Group, established the Peters Foundation and has worked to encourage thousands of underprivileged, at-risk students across the United States through programs that affect academic performance by improving self-esteem, among other things. These Gentlemen’s Clubs and Ladies Clubs target “student engagement and motivation through relationship and career building, role-models and mentors, [and] service to the community.” Peters has had proven success holding participants to high standards not only in education, but with etiquette, attire, and behavior, helping young learners overcome any socioeconomic barriers they may face.
The success of the program brought Peters worldwide recognition and it has been featured on The Oprah Winfrey Show and America, America, a program aired in Portugal and Brazil.
“Dr. Peters’ experience in education, ability to understand and connect with students and teachers, and innovative approach embody the spirit of ILA’s new mission and direction,” said Stephen Sye, ILA’s associate executive director. “Once I heard him speak, I knew he would immediately capture, inspire, and teach anyone who listened to him something special.”
Peter’s book on school turnaround, Choosing to Believe: Creating a Framework for School Success(Peters Group Foundation), was named a 2010 USA Best Books for pre-K–12 education. He is also author of Do You Know Enough about Me to Teach Me(Peters Group Foundation) and Teaching to Capture and Inspire all Learners(Corwin Press). Stephen is a contributing author for the Educational Leadership series Engaging Every Learner(Corwin Press).
Peters has served on panels as an education expert with former U.S. Secretary of Education, Dr. Rod Paige in Washington, D.C. He is currently a member of the American Reading Company Board of Academic Advisors. Most recently, Peters has joined the American Reading Company advisory board, working toward bias-free education.
Peters will join Academy Award-winning actress and children’s book author Octavia Spencer at Closing General Session.
The ILA 2015 Conference will be July 18–20 in St. Louis, MO, with more than 6,000 educators ready to transform their practice. Key topics affecting literacy featured at the conference include content literacy, children’s literature, classroom engagement, and professional development. In addition to conference favorites, including a revamped Teaching Edge series and Putting Books to Work sessions. More than 120 exhibitors will be on hand with new tools and technologies for all manners of literacy education.
Learn more about the conference programs at ilaconference.org. Register today for the ILA 2015 Conference to take advantage of special Early Bird pricing, which ends June 29.