Over the last few years, I’ve had the chance to work with teachers all of the world. If you are interested in having me speak or present, please click below or email me at john@spencereducation.com and I’ll be in touch within 24 hours.
The background photo is of John Spencer’s keynote at the National Association for Gifted Children Annual Convention (Photo by Alabastro Photography).
Lately, I have been leading sessions, keynotes, and workshops focused on authentic learning in an age of AI. I use humor and storytelling along with practical strategies to inspire and equip educators at the K-12 and Higher Education levels. If you reach out, we can create something customized for your school, district, or institution.
The Depth Advantage
In an age of distractions, deeper learning is both more urgent and more difficult than ever. Students are bombarded with noise: notifications, multitasking, and the temptation of shortcuts in a world of instant answers. But what if we gave students something richer? In this keynote, we explore how to cultivate the habits of deeper thinking, sustained focus, and meaningful learning across content areas. You’ll learn practical strategies to foster mastery, curiosity, problem-solving, resilience, and communication in your classroom, even in a fast-paced digital world.
How Will We Respond to the A.I. Revolution?
The A.I. Revolution is here. For some, it’s exciting. For others, it feels terrifying. Still others feel baffled and confused by it. Many of us feel a mix of all three emotions. But one thing is clear. It’s here and it’s not going away. In this keynote, we explore how we might adapt and change as we navigate the new terrain of an AI world. We explore the human skills students will need in a world of smart machines. Ultimately, we’ll be reminded of the hope and humanity we continue to have in a time of epic change.
Navigating the Maze
We are at the beginning of the AI Revolution, and we can’t predict what this maze will look like. In this keynote, we explore what vital skills students will need to become self-directed learners who can thrive in the maze. We’ll examine how creativity and curiosity can help develop the adaptability students will need as they navigate a complex and unpredictable world fueled by generative AI.
This is the Future of Education
For all the talk of gadgets and apps, the future of education won’t center around a new content delivery system. The future is in your classroom. It’s with your students as they engage in deeper learning.
Vintage Innovation
The best way to prepare students for the future is to empower them in the present. In this keynote or workshop, we explore what it means to use vintage ideas, tools, and strategies in new and relevant ways. Here, we focus on innovation as a focus on “what is best” rather than “what is next.”
Workshops range from 90-minutes to a full day (or multiple days). I would love to meet with your team to plan out something comprehensive and specific to your educator’s needs. Here are the most popular workshop I conduct:
Getting Started with Deeper Learning
In this hands-on workshop, we’ll dive into practical strategies to help students develop deeper thinking, sustained focus, and meaningful learning habits across content areas. You’ll explore ways to foster mastery, curiosity, problem-solving, resilience, and communication—even in a fast-paced, digital world. Through interactive activities, reflective discussions, and real-world examples, you’ll walk away with a toolkit of approaches to make deeper learning more tangible and attainable for your students. Whether you’re looking to build sustained attention in your classroom or empower students to embrace curiosity and problem-solving, this workshop will provide actionable insights to transform your teaching practice.
Mastery Over Memorization: Building Skills That Stick
In this workshop, we’ll explore how to move students beyond rote memorization toward true mastery. You’ll learn practical strategies to help students engage in deliberate practice, reflect on their progress, and apply their skills in real-world contexts. We’ll look at how to structure learning experiences that promote retention and deeper understanding. By the end, you’ll have tools to help students build lasting skills that go beyond surface-level knowledge.
Fostering Curiosity in a Distracted World
Curiosity is at the heart of deeper learning, but in a world filled with distractions, it’s easy for students to lose that spark. This workshop will provide you with techniques to reignite curiosity through inquiry-based learning and project-driven exploration. We’ll discuss how to create a classroom environment where students feel safe to ask questions and explore ideas. You’ll leave with practical approaches to keep curiosity alive, even in a fast-paced, digital world.
Problem-Solving in Complex Contexts: Beyond Formulaic Thinking
Problem-solving goes beyond following a set of steps—it’s about thinking critically and adapting to new situations. In this workshop, you’ll explore methods for teaching problem-solving that move students away from formulaic approaches. We’ll discuss how to pose meaningful challenges and guide students in developing flexible thinking. You’ll gain strategies to help students tackle complex problems with creativity and persistence.
The Future of Writing
As AI tools become more integrated into the writing process, students need skills that go beyond basic composition. In this workshop, we’ll explore how to help students write with empathy, curiosity, and a sense of context. You’ll discover strategies for teaching divergent thinking and nuanced communication in an AI-influenced world. You’ll walk away with practical techniques to help students develop a distinct voice that stands out.
Sustained Focus in a World of Distractions
Attention spans are shrinking, but deeper learning requires sustained focus and deliberate effort. This workshop will explore strategies for helping students maintain their attention despite digital interruptions. By the end, you’ll have a toolkit for guiding students toward more focused, intentional learning.
Student Agency and Self-Directed Learning
Empowering students to take charge of their own learning can lead to deeper engagement and greater academic success. In this workshop, we’ll discuss how to foster self-direction by teaching students to set goals, track their progress, and reflect on their learning. You’ll explore practical ways to build routines that support independence and critical thinking. By the end, you’ll have concrete strategies to nurture student agency in your classroom.
Let’s create custom workshops and keynotes that work for your group. Whether you are looking for a back-to-school keynote, a deep dive workshop, or a comprehensive plan, I’d love to plan something custom for your educators.
