The Critical Need for Caring Champions

Keynote Speaker 
Thursday, October 5, 2023
10:15 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

ABOUT THE SESSION:

Study after study shows that during adversity, the single, most important thing kids need is the calming presence of an adult champion. In this keynote, Dr. Michele Borba shares inspiring stories and examples of real educators who are those champions and prove they make a difference that helps our students bounce back and thrive. The key, she says, it that they use what we already have within us: hope, empathy, atmosphere, resilience, and trust (heart). Each of these concepts is ordinary, doable and doesn’t cost a dime but can transform our children’s lives both now and later.

ABOUT THE SPEAKER:

If you are looking for the best way to raise or educate kids to be kind, empathetic, resilient and thriving, then search no further than Educational Psychologist Dr. Michele Borba.

She is an internationally renowned educator, award-winning author and parenting child expert recognized for her solution-based strategies to strengthen children’s social-emotional intelligence and character and reduce peer cruelty.

Dr. Borba is as well known for her warm, down-to-earth speaking style as she is for cutting-edge insights. Her informative presentations leave audiences with usable strategies. A sought-after motivational speaker, she has spoken on 19 countries in five continents and served as a consultant to hundreds of schools and corporations. Clients include Sesame Street, Harvard, U.S. Air Force Academy, 18 U.S. Army bases in Europe and the Asian-Pacific, H.H. the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and a TEDx Talk: “Empathy Is a Verb.” She offers realistic, research-based adviceculled from a career working with over one million parents and educators worldwide.

Dr. Borba is an NBC contributor who has appeared 150 times on the TODAY show and countless other shows, including three Dateline specials, Dr. Phil, The View, NBC Nightly News, The Doctors, Dr. Oz, Anderson Cooper, three NBC Education Nation specials, Fox and CNN. Her work is featured in TIME, The Washington Post, Newsweek, People, The Boston Globe, U.S. News & World Report, The New York Times, Reader’s Digest and The Globe and Mail. She’s a media spokesperson for major corporations, including 3M, Office Depot, Unilever, Similac, General Mills, Mastercard, All, Galderma, V-Tech, Cetaphil, Splenda, Walmart, Johnson & Johnson and consultant to McDonald’s and Disney.

She is the award-winning author of 25 books translated into 19 languages, including her new book Thrivers, as well as Nobody Likes Me, No More Misbehavin’, Don’t Give Me That Attitude!, Building Moral Intelligence, Parents Do Make A Difference, The Big Book of Parenting Solutions, End Peer Cruelty, Build Empathy and UnSelfie: Why Empathetic Kids Succeed in Our All- About-Me World.

Her awards and recognitions include being a 2016 SHORTY nominee for “Best Social Media Influencer in Parenting,” the National Educator Award (presented by the National Council of Self-Esteem) and the National Child Safety Award of 2016 by Child Safety Network.

She was named a consultant for the Character Education and Civic Engagement for the U.S. Dept of Education, Disney Influencer and Goodwill Ambassador for M.I.T.’s One Laptop Per Child One Gateway Center, Suite 751 | Newton, MA 02458 | Phone: 617.614.1600 | Fax: 617.965.6610 | apbspeakers.com project. Board memberships include Parents, Child Safety Network and Boys & Girls Club of America. Her proposal: “Ending School Violence and Bullying” (SB1667) was signed into California law in 2002.

Dr. Borba is a former classroom and special education teacher with a wide range of teaching experience, including work in a private practice with children with learning and emotional disabilities. She received a Doctorate in Educational Psychology and Counseling from the University of San Francisco, an M.A. in Learning Disabilities and B.A. from the University of Santa Clara, and Life Teaching Credential from San Jose State University. She lives in Palm Springs, California with her husband and has three grown sons.