Meet don jefferies

Historian• Educator • Author • Speaker-Trainer 

“Honesty is the father of happy children.”

Video Memories by Jefferies

Selected Stories from the
Battalion Newsletter Archive

Vlog – Interviews

Historian

MEET DONALD R. JEFFERIES

Educator Don Jefferies has a 45-year track record of innovation and leadership success. Fueled by his passion to “never stop learning” and undergirded by the belief that he should “always leave things better than how he found them,” Don developed a reputation as a committed, caring, and highly successful public school change agent.

Don wore many hats while serving public school systems in Texas and Arizona. These include teacher, assistant principal, principal, deputy superintendent, and superintendent. His deep desire to see both students and teachers perform at their best drove him to seek, develop, and implement strategies that resulted in significant improvements. Evidence of improvements in student attendance and engagement, teacher morale, and school culture is well-documented, along with reductions in discipline issues and drug use. After retiring in 2017 from his most recent Superintendent position, Don taught cognitive intervention within the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. Today, Don still wears many hats:  Innovator, Educator, Author, Speaker-Trainer, and Historian. Husband, father, and grandfather round out his resume.

Don continues to inspire, engage, and develop educators and educational stakeholders by providing leadership and educational resources to teachers, administrators, and others interested in improving public education. As you explore this website, you will learn more about Don, his work and accomplishments, and current opportunities to connect with him.

“In times of change, learners inherit the earth, while the learned find themselves beautifully equipped to deal with a world that no longer exists.” – Eric Hoffer, American Moral, and Social Philosopher

Don attributes his strong work ethic to his parents. He also attributes his strong feelings about what the term “work ethic” truly means to his parents. In particular to his Dad. For Don, work ethic is a construct that involves not just the ability and desire to show up and perform consistently—it also means that one is adept at evaluating, identifying gaps, solving problems, planning, anticipating, and implementing solutions. In fact, the 2019 book “The Mechanics of Leadership: Lessons in Leadership from Dad the Mechanic & WWII Veteran” chronicles the life, work, and leadership lessons he learned from his father Norris Jefferies.  According to Don, “I learned how to work from Dad and Mom. I learned to appreciate the value of work. I came to understand that work wasn’t just showing up. I came to recognize that you need to provide value.  That’s what work ethic is—showing up and providing value.”

Things you should know about Don

  • He earned a bachelor’s degree in History and English, a master’s degree in history, and completed an additional 80+ semester hours of graduate work in school administration and leadership.
  • He devoted his life and career to education and is a recently retired school superintendent with 45 years of experience in teaching and administration.
  • Don’s first 12 years in education were spent teaching history and sociology to middle school, high school, and college students.
  • Don has 13 years of experience serving in the roles of assistant principal and principal.
  • Don has seven years of experience as an assistant superintendent and 12 years of experience as a district superintendent.

Achievements, Awards & Honors

  • Don counts among his most significant achievements those awards and recognition that comes from appreciative students, parents, teachers, and school board members.
  • Don started the first Student Assistance Program (SAP) in the State of Texas in 1987. SAP’s are a service designed to help students who are having difficulty experiencing success in school. This is done through small group meetings co-facilitated by a specially trained teacher and local psychological care worker resulting in referrals and other forms of support.
  • Don wrote the first behavioral objective course guide implemented in Alvin ISD in 1974.
  • Don developed an instructional method known as “Product Oriented Education” that was implemented in two of his districts.   POE is an instructional model designed to engage and involve students in the learning process as producers of knowledge, not just consumers of teacher-directed lessons.
  • Don has a demonstrated track record of turning around failing schools and school districts. This capability was first documented in 1985 when measurable improvements in test scores and teacher morale, and a reduction in discipline issues and drug offenses, was recognized.
  • Don is the Recipient of the 1990 “Texas Association of Secondary School Principals Region IV Outstanding High School Principal” Award.
  • Don received recognition from TEA and U.S. Department of Education in 1990 for innovative and successful drug-free programs.Recipient of the 2016 “ESC 8 Regional Superintendent of the Year” from the Texas Association of School Boards. Recognized for improved test scores, narrowed performance gaps, and increased efficiencies.
  • Also, in 2016, Don was recognized by Discovery Education with a “Lifetime Innovative Educator” award.

Family & Personal

  • Don and his wife Linda have four grown children and five grandchildren.
  • A few of Don’s favorite movies and TV shows include:  The Grapes of Wrath, Patton, Dr. Zhivago, Alien, Schindler’s List, 2001 A Space Odyssey, Casablanca, The Graduate, Rocky, Rebel Without a Cause, Blue Bloods, and CBS Sunday Morning.
  • Some of his favorite books include: Mastery Teaching by Madeline Hunter, The Power of Perception by Hyrum Smith, The Power of Servant Leadership by Robert Greenleaf, The True Believer by Eric Hoffer, An Army at Dawn by Rick Atkinson, It Can’t Happen Here by Sinclair Lewis, Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari, and A Thousand Days by Arthur M. Schlesinger Jr.
  • Don believes that “Honesty is the father of happy children.”

More about Don

MEET DONALD R. JEFFERIES

Educator Don Jefferies has a 45-year track record of innovation and leadership success. Fueled by his passion to “never stop learning” and undergirded by the belief that he should “always leave things better than how he found them,” Don developed a reputation as a committed, caring, and highly successful public school change agent.

Don wore many hats while serving public school systems in Texas and Arizona. These include teacher, assistant principal, principal, deputy superintendent, and superintendent. His deep desire to see both students and teachers perform at their best drove him to seek, develop, and implement strategies that resulted in significant improvements. Evidence of improvements in student attendance and engagement, teacher morale, and school culture is well-documented, along with reductions in discipline issues and drug use. After retiring in 2017 from his most recent Superintendent position, Don taught cognitive intervention within the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. Today, Don still wears many hats:  Innovator, Educator, Author, Speaker-Trainer, and Historian. Husband, father, and grandfather round out his resume.

Don continues to inspire, engage, and develop educators and educational stakeholders by providing leadership and educational resources to teachers, administrators, and others interested in improving public education. As you explore this website, you will learn more about Don, his work and accomplishments, and current opportunities to connect with him.

“In times of change, learners inherit the earth, while the learned find themselves beautifully equipped to deal with a world that no longer exists.” – Eric Hoffer, American Moral, and Social Philosopher

Don attributes his strong work ethic to his parents. He also attributes his strong feelings about what the term “work ethic” truly means to his parents. In particular to his Dad. For Don, work ethic is a construct that involves not just the ability and desire to show up and perform consistently—it also means that one is adept at evaluating, identifying gaps, solving problems, planning, anticipating, and implementing solutions. In fact, the 2019 book “The Mechanics of Leadership: Lessons in Leadership from Dad the Mechanic & WWII Veteran” chronicles the life, work, and leadership lessons he learned from his father Norris Jefferies.  According to Don, “I learned how to work from Dad and Mom. I learned to appreciate the value of work. I came to understand that work wasn’t just showing up. I came to recognize that you need to provide value.  That’s what work ethic is—showing up and providing value.”

Things you should know about Don

  • He earned a bachelor’s degree in History and English, a master’s degree in history, and completed an additional 80+ semester hours of graduate work in school administration and leadership.
  • He devoted his life and career to education and is a recently retired school superintendent with 45 years of experience in teaching and administration.
  • Don’s first 12 years in education were spent teaching history and sociology to middle school, high school, and college students.
  • Don has 13 years of experience serving in the roles of assistant principal and principal.
  • Don has seven years of experience as an assistant superintendent and 12 years of experience as a district superintendent.

Achievements, Awards & Honors

  • Don counts among his most significant achievements those awards and recognition that comes from appreciative students, parents, teachers, and school board members.
  • Don started the first Student Assistance Program (SAP) in the State of Texas in 1987. SAP’s are a service designed to help students who are having difficulty experiencing success in school. This is done through small group meetings co-facilitated by a specially trained teacher and local psychological care worker resulting in referrals and other forms of support.
  • Don wrote the first behavioral objective course guide implemented in Alvin ISD in 1974.
  • Don developed an instructional method known as “Product Oriented Education” that was implemented in two of his districts.   POE is an instructional model designed to engage and involve students in the learning process as producers of knowledge, not just consumers of teacher-directed lessons.
  • Don has a demonstrated track record of turning around failing schools and school districts. This capability was first documented in 1985 when measurable improvements in test scores and teacher morale, and a reduction in discipline issues and drug offenses, was recognized.
  • Don is the Recipient of the 1990 “Texas Association of Secondary School Principals Region IV Outstanding High School Principal” Award.
  • Don received recognition from TEA and U.S. Department of Education in 1990 for innovative and successful drug-free programs.Recipient of the 2016 “ESC 8 Regional Superintendent of the Year” from the Texas Association of School Boards. Recognized for improved test scores, narrowed performance gaps, and increased efficiencies.
  • Also, in 2016, Don was recognized by Discovery Education with a “Lifetime Innovative Educator” award.

Family & Personal

  • Don and his wife Linda have four grown children and five grandchildren.
  • A few of Don’s favorite movies and TV shows include:  The Grapes of Wrath, Patton, Dr. Zhivago, Alien, Schindler’s List, 2001 A Space Odyssey, Casablanca, The Graduate, Rocky, Rebel Without a Cause, Blue Bloods, and CBS Sunday Morning.
  • Some of his favorite books include: Mastery Teaching by Madeline Hunter, The Power of Perception by Hyrum Smith, The Power of Servant Leadership by Robert Greenleaf, The True Believer by Eric Hoffer, An Army at Dawn by Rick Atkinson, It Can’t Happen Here by Sinclair Lewis, Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari, and A Thousand Days by Arthur M. Schlesinger Jr.
  • Don believes that “Honesty is the father of happy children.”

More about Don

Don is also an author! Education Leader-Innovator and Historian Don Jefferies recently published a historically based book on leadership and articles featured in State of Texas education publications.

The Mechanics of Leadership: Lessons in Leadership from Dad the Mechanic & WWII Veteran (2019)

Aspiring Leaders! Don’t let history repeat itself! Learn from leaders and educators that have come before you. In his 2019 book “The Mechanics of Leadership: Lessons in Leadership from Dad the Mechanic & WWII Veteran,” educational leader-innovator, historian, and author Donald R. Jefferies successfully integrates family history with tried-and-true leadership advice proven out in contemporary workplaces.

This book offers the reader the opportunity to learn from people from all walks of life. In particular, the life of mechanic and WWII veteran Norris Jefferies. As you read this book, you will enjoy how Don moves easily between reflecting on his youth, the lessons his father taught him, and the successful application of those life lessons throughout his career. Readers will find it full of valuable insights brought to life as Don reflects on his past experiences while sharing fresh, relevant, and modern applications.

This book is an essential tool in the arsenal of new and emerging leaders in education and all fields who desire to create a work environment that fosters respect, collaboration, ownership, increased productivity, and improved quality.

This book was published in (2019) and is available from Amazon.com at the following link:

Publications List

Don is also an author! Education Leader-Innovator and Historian Don Jefferies recently published a historically based book on leadership and articles featured in State of Texas education publications.

The Mechanics of Leadership: Lessons in Leadership from Dad the Mechanic & WWII Veteran (2019)

Aspiring Leaders! Don’t let history repeat itself! Learn from leaders and educators that have come before you. In his 2019 book “The Mechanics of Leadership: Lessons in Leadership from Dad the Mechanic & WWII Veteran,” educational leader-innovator, historian, and author Donald R. Jefferies successfully integrates family history with tried-and-true leadership advice proven out in contemporary workplaces.

This book offers the reader the opportunity to learn from people from all walks of life. In particular, the life of mechanic and WWII veteran Norris Jefferies. As you read this book, you will enjoy how Don moves easily between reflecting on his youth, the lessons his father taught him, and the successful application of those life lessons throughout his career. Readers will find it full of valuable insights brought to life as Don reflects on his past experiences while sharing fresh, relevant, and modern applications.

This book is an essential tool in the arsenal of new and emerging leaders in education and all fields who desire to create a work environment that fosters respect, collaboration, ownership, increased productivity, and improved quality.

This book was published in (2019) and is available from Amazon.com at the following link:

Publications List

Author

“I want to thank and commend you for the outstanding job you have done as a presenter during our June inservice for instructional administrators. I appreciate the time that you spent in receiving the Effective schools training, the effort that you gave to prepare for our staff training and the professionalism that you displayed in your presentations.”
Bill HasseSuperintendent of Alvin I.S.D. on July 11, 1988
He addressed the Alvin School Board and read from a petition signed by the rest of the class officers and most of the Senior Class the following: “On behalf of the Alvin High School Senior Class and the other Senior Class officers, I am writing to request that our departing principal, Don Jefferies, be allowed to fulfill the same role at the Graduation Exercises that he has the last seven years. Whether an interim or permanent principal is named after April fifteenth, the fact remains that he is and has been our principal, short scant six weeks, all of our high school lives. In our memories, he will always be remembered as our principal.”
Jeff TomberlinPresident of AHS Class or 1993
“I have seen superintendents come and I have seen them go. Mr. Jefferies is a man of great integrity! He is first and foremost a family man, a part of the community and has shown unique skills as an educational leader. Mr. Jefferies is a good communicator, a listener, and one who can change with the times. He is a thinker and a doer! His resume will reflect the strides our district has made.”
Leah R. TillotsonGreenville I.S.D. School Board Member on September 9, 2015
On December 10, 2003 he wrote: “Don Jefferies served a Superintendent at West Orange-Cove C.I.S.D. During his tenure here I served on the School Board and worked closely with him. He worked very well with the Board and the District personnel. Don put into effect programs to improve our test scores. He also made some tough decisions regarding personnel that helped improve morale throughout the district. Because of the leadership Don brought to the district, we became a Recognized District.”
Leah R. TillotsonLon Craft, West Orange-Cove C.I.S.D. School Board Member
On June 1, 2001 he wrote: “Not only have I known him (Don Jefferies) personally for many years, since our high school days, but my three children were in high school while he still served here as principal. During this time, I found Don to be an enthusiastic advocate for his students, while maintaining a strict policy on discipline problems. He implemented many programs designed to get kids involved in school, to give them a greater sense of self-worth, and to provide the means for students to give, and equally important, to receive from their school.”
Nolan RyanFellow graduate of Alvin H.S. and parent of 3 students when Don Jefferies was Principal of AHS
“I have worked with Don during the past three years. Don has been our Associate Superintendent for Administrative Services from July 2001 to July 2004. He has many responsibilities from working with the other district administrators to advising, consulting with, and evaluating all 33 of our site principals. Most impressively, Don has made well-needed changes for the site administrators by implementing new procedures for sexual abuse reporting, among others. As a board president, Don kept me abreast of everything happening in the district with phone calls daily. And he was always there when I requested additional information.”
Shari AvianantosScottsdale Unified School District Governing Board Member on June 22, 2004
Previous
Next

Educator

Explore Donald Jefferies' Educational Resources

A collection of documents for educators and students.

View the Docs

Over his 45 year career in public education, Don Jefferies received regional, state-wide, and national recognition for his positive impacts and innovative practices. Don’s effectiveness as an agent of change in public schools was not short-lived or limited to just one locality. His successes turning around failing schools and school districts, improving teacher morale and instruction, and increasing student and parent engagement made him a sought-after leader. When you add—that in more than one instance—his methods led to measurable reductions in student discipline issues and drug use during his first year of his employment, you can see why six school districts chose him.

The American writer and theologian Frederick Buechner believed that one achieves true vocation when they find the place where their “great gladness meets the world’s great need.” At his core, Don is a developer of people and says that his moments of highest satisfaction come from helping others perform at their best. Don is also preternaturally drawn to fix things that aren’t working—especially when it is something that hinders others’ success.

Don trained with influential American Educator Madeline Hunter and studied her methods for instructions improvement. One of the biggest takeaways from Hunter’s work was the importance of honest and accurate feedback in all aspects of instruction and school improvement.

Don’s innovative ideas, strategies, and methods for improving school culture, instruction, curriculum, and teacher and administrator leadership development remain influential and relevant today. Don emphasizes the primacy of school culture with safety and security for all being the bedrock. He also institutes clear and effective discipline strategies and concentrates on cooperative instruction and curriculum improvement using cooperative learning, instructional teams, problem-based, product-oriented, and collaborative style lessons. Don also emphasizes strategies and techniques that maximize students’ intrinsic motivations.

Don is a strong believer in hands-on education, that is, learning through experience. Don has seen time and time again how “this method of teaching leaves a lasting impression because the process demands the full attention of students; they must understand the lesson to solve the problem or accomplish the task.”

Don’s Educational Philosophy Statement

The education of a society’s individuals is critically important for its—and their—success and quality of life. Therefore, basic literacy, numeracy, analysis, critical thinking, and anticipatory skills must be taught early in childhood and continuing throughout one’s life. The receptivity of those skills by the learner is partly determined by their emotional connectivity to the learning. This can be facilitated by personalizing the learning in ways that are tailored to the learners’ needs, abilities, and interests. Ultimately each individual must accept responsibility for his or her own educational development.

Project Oriented Education (POE): A Successful Model for Student Owned Learning

Product Oriented Education is an instructional model designed to engage and involve students in the learning process as producers of knowledge, not just consumers of teacher-directed lessons. The overarching goal of POE is to foster critical thinking and increase student engagement by increasing participation in learning.

This hands-on approach to learning requires front-loading lessons with well-defined plans that turn learning over to the students. More specifically—instead of the typical lesson with explanations and illustrations of the content—the teacher begins with a question or series of questions that require the students to conduct research and activities in order to develop their “answers.” Answers are then delivered in the form of a “final product” that demonstrates what was learned.

Measurable results of effective implementation of POE include increases in the students’ motivation, self-confidence, time and resource management, ownership of their learning, presentation skills, analysis and problem-solving, team-working, as well as college and world of work readiness. Additionally, and as important, POE helps students directly connect what they are learning in school to the “real world,” thus enhancing their perception of the value of school, learning, and education.

For a more detailed discussion of Product Oriented Education, please review the following Publications:

Don's Educational Philosophy Statement

The education of a society’s individuals is critically important for its—and their—success and quality of life. Therefore, basic literacy, numeracy, analytical, critical thinking, and anticipatory skills must be taught beginning in early childhood and continued throughout one’s life. The receptivity of those skills by the learner is partly determined by the emotional connectivity to the learning. This can be facilitated by personalizing the learning activities in ways that are tailored to the learner’s needs, abilities, and interests. Ultimately, each individual must accept responsibility for his or her own educational development.

Testimonials

From LinkedIn:   Mr. Jefferies has a proven passion for educating children. As superintendent, he has won the admiration and dedication of the employees of Greenville ISD. He has an energy level that is unmatched and he is driven to have the organizations he directs to be innovative and recognized for their accomplishments. His success in achieving these goals has had a direct impact on the students in the districts and schools he has lead. It is an honor to work for a professional whose goal is ensuring others achieve their goals. His influence will be felt for generations to come in Greenville. 

-Donna Toups, M. Ed., Greenvile, TX ISD

Other resources

Explore Donald Jefferies' Educational Resources

A collection of documents for educators and students.

View the Docs

Over his 45 year career in public education, Don Jefferies received regional, state-wide, and national recognition for his positive impacts and innovative practices. Don’s effectiveness as an agent of change in public schools was not short-lived or limited to just one locality. His successes turning around failing schools and school districts, improving teacher morale and instruction, and increasing student and parent engagement made him a sought-after leader. When you add—that in more than one instance—his methods led to measurable reductions in student discipline issues and drug use during his first year of his employment, you can see why six school districts chose him.

The American writer and theologian Frederick Buechner believed that one achieves true vocation when they find the place where their “great gladness meets the world’s great need.” At his core, Don is a developer of people and says that his moments of highest satisfaction come from helping others perform at their best. Don is also preternaturally drawn to fix things that aren’t working—especially when it is something that hinders others’ success.

Don trained with influential American Educator Madeline Hunter and studied her methods for instructions improvement. One of the biggest takeaways from Hunter’s work was the importance of honest and accurate feedback in all aspects of instruction and school improvement.

Don’s innovative ideas, strategies, and methods for improving school culture, instruction, curriculum, and teacher and administrator leadership development remain influential and relevant today. Don emphasizes the primacy of school culture with safety and security for all being the bedrock. He also institutes clear and effective discipline strategies and concentrates on cooperative instruction and curriculum improvement using cooperative learning, instructional teams, problem-based, product-oriented, and collaborative style lessons. Don also emphasizes strategies and techniques that maximize students’ intrinsic motivations.

Don is a strong believer in hands-on education, that is, learning through experience. Don has seen time and time again how “this method of teaching leaves a lasting impression because the process demands the full attention of students; they must understand the lesson to solve the problem or accomplish the task.”

Don’s Educational Philosophy Statement

The education of a society’s individuals is critically important for its—and their—success and quality of life. Therefore, basic literacy, numeracy, analysis, critical thinking, and anticipatory skills must be taught early in childhood and continuing throughout one’s life. The receptivity of those skills by the learner is partly determined by their emotional connectivity to the learning. This can be facilitated by personalizing the learning in ways that are tailored to the learners’ needs, abilities, and interests. Ultimately each individual must accept responsibility for his or her own educational development.

Project Oriented Education (POE): A Successful Model for Student Owned Learning

Product Oriented Education is an instructional model designed to engage and involve students in the learning process as producers of knowledge, not just consumers of teacher-directed lessons. The overarching goal of POE is to foster critical thinking and increase student engagement by increasing participation in learning.

This hands-on approach to learning requires front-loading lessons with well-defined plans that turn learning over to the students. More specifically—instead of the typical lesson with explanations and illustrations of the content—the teacher begins with a question or series of questions that require the students to conduct research and activities in order to develop their “answers.” Answers are then delivered in the form of a “final product” that demonstrates what was learned.

Measurable results of effective implementation of POE include increases in the students’ motivation, self-confidence, time and resource management, ownership of their learning, presentation skills, analysis and problem-solving, team-working, as well as college and world of work readiness. Additionally, and as important, POE helps students directly connect what they are learning in school to the “real world,” thus enhancing their perception of the value of school, learning, and education.

For a more detailed discussion of Product Oriented Education, please review the following Publications:

Don's Educational Philosophy Statement

The education of a society’s individuals is critically important for its—and their—success and quality of life. Therefore, basic literacy, numeracy, analytical, critical thinking, and anticipatory skills must be taught beginning in early childhood and continued throughout one’s life. The receptivity of those skills by the learner is partly determined by the emotional connectivity to the learning. This can be facilitated by personalizing the learning activities in ways that are tailored to the learner’s needs, abilities, and interests. Ultimately, each individual must accept responsibility for his or her own educational development.

Testimonials

From LinkedIn:   Mr. Jefferies has a proven passion for educating children. As superintendent, he has won the admiration and dedication of the employees of Greenville ISD. He has an energy level that is unmatched and he is driven to have the organizations he directs to be innovative and recognized for their accomplishments. His success in achieving these goals has had a direct impact on the students in the districts and schools he has lead. It is an honor to work for a professional whose goal is ensuring others achieve their goals. His influence will be felt for generations to come in Greenville. 

-Donna Toups, M. Ed., Greenvile, TX ISD

Other resources

“In times of change, learners inherit the earth, while the learned find themselves beautifully equipped to deal with a world that no longer exists.”  Eric Hoffer

Are you on the hunt for a speaker for your next gathering, meeting, or training? Don R. Jefferies—a recognized leader and innovator in public education for the past four and half decades—is an experienced trainer and change agent who has facilitated multiple types of school and district improvements, including reconstituting a 4A high school. Don is also a historian and author who shares information with the clarity, color, and context that one would expect of someone who has had such a positive influence on public education and is a historian to boot. Whether the topic or training is education, leadership, or history-related, audiences of all ages will find Don’s style highly engaging, immensely informative, and most definitely inspiring. Students, student-teachers, parent groups, emerging leaders, seasoned educators, and experienced administrators alike will all enjoy and benefit from time spent with Don.

Speaking Topics

Below you will find the list of the most requested topics and training sessions. Don will gladly customize the presentation for the specific event and audience. He is also available to develop topics and training events based on the interests and needs of your school, district, or organization and his expertise.

  • Practical Advice for New Campus Administrators:

    New campus principals and assistant principals are familiarized with proven practical strategies and tools that will help them successfully maneuver through their first campus leadership roles. Tools that are designed to engage teachers, students, and parents as partners in the school’s educational processes will be shared.

  • Adapting School Culture to Meet Students’ and Teachers’ Needs:

    The culture of a campus will predetermine many of its learning, social, and emotional outcomes for students and teachers. An existing school culture flows like a river through halls. Changing that culture for educational success may require altering the direction of that flow or at least some of the tributaries that feed it. Successful strategies for improving school culture will be presented.

  • Effective Campus Student Management and Discipline:

    A safe and orderly school climate is necessary for the success of students and teachers. Proven tools for empowering campus leaders to bring about safe and orderly school climates, as well evidence and results will be shared.

  • Professional Learning Communities:

    PLC’s have a proven record of successfully improving instruction and learning in addition to facilitating positive change within a school and district. Successful strategies will be shared as to how best to structure and implement PLC’s for school improvement and employee satisfaction.

  • Customer Service in the School Setting:

    Quality customer service is necessary for continuous improvement and community support of schools and districts. Customer service strategies that are effective in school and district settings will be shared.

  • Engaging Parents in Schools:

    Parental engagement that supports the mission of schools and districts is necessary for the success of all involved, especially the students. Successful strategies and activities designed to inspire and increase parental involvement in schools and districts will be shared.

Contact Don

Are you on the hunt for a speaker for your next gathering, meeting, or training? Don R. Jefferies—a recognized leader and innovator in public education for the past four and half decades—is an experienced trainer and change agent who has facilitated multiple types of school and district improvements, including reconstituting a 4A high school. Don is also a historian and author who shares information with the clarity, color, and context that one would expect of someone who has had such a positive influence on public education and is a historian to boot. Whether the topic or training is education, leadership, or history-related, audiences of all ages will find Don’s style highly engaging, immensely informative, and most definitely inspiring. Students, student-teachers, parent groups, emerging leaders, seasoned educators, and experienced administrators alike will all enjoy and benefit from time spent with Don.

Speaking Topics

Below you will find the list of the most requested topics and training sessions. Don will gladly customize the presentation for the specific event and audience. He is also available to develop topics and training events based on the interests and needs of your school, district, or organization and his expertise.

  • Practical Advice for New Campus Administrators:

    New campus principals and assistant principals are familiarized with proven practical strategies and tools that will help them successfully maneuver through their first campus leadership roles. Tools that are designed to engage teachers, students, and parents as partners in the school’s educational processes will be shared.

  • Adapting School Culture to Meet Students’ and Teachers’ Needs:

    The culture of a campus will predetermine many of its learning, social, and emotional outcomes for students and teachers. An existing school culture flows like a river through halls. Changing that culture for educational success may require altering the direction of that flow or at least some of the tributaries that feed it. Successful strategies for improving school culture will be presented.

  • Effective Campus Student Management and Discipline:

    A safe and orderly school climate is necessary for the success of students and teachers. Proven tools for empowering campus leaders to bring about safe and orderly school climates, as well evidence and results will be shared.

  • Professional Learning Communities:

    PLC’s have a proven record of successfully improving instruction and learning in addition to facilitating positive change within a school and district. Successful strategies will be shared as to how best to structure and implement PLC’s for school improvement and employee satisfaction.

  • Customer Service in the School Setting:

    Quality customer service is necessary for continuous improvement and community support of schools and districts. Customer service strategies that are effective in school and district settings will be shared.

  • Engaging Parents in Schools:

    Parental engagement that supports the mission of schools and districts is necessary for the success of all involved, especially the students. Successful strategies and activities designed to inspire and increase parental involvement in schools and districts will be shared.

Contact Don

Speaker

Contact

Connect with Don!

Send an email or give him a call.

He checks his email and voicemail regularly!

(979) 900-2066
DrJefferies@outlook.com
© 2024 Don Jefferies All Rights Reserved | Hosted and Maintained by Market Design Team