Dr. John W. Hodge stands out as one of America’s most sought-after speakers in K-12 education. He is renowned for his ability to transform research into practical strategies for academic success. His journey in education began after serving with distinction in the 7th Infantry Division of the United States Army, laying the foundation for a career dedicated to empowering educators and students.
After beginning his journey in education at North Carolina A&T, Dr. Hodge continued his training at Virginia Tech, where he conducted extensive research on student resilience and factors influencing the academic outcomes of children from struggling families. This academic foundation, combined with his hands-on experience in various educational roles, has shaped his unique approach to education reform.
Throughout his career, Dr. Hodge has worn many hats – from reading and English teacher to school administrator and education consultant. Dr. Hodge served as an AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) teacher, and later became Associate Director of AVID Center Eastern Division where he helped expand the program to 13 states. His tenure as Director of An Achievable Dream Academy, a high-performing school in an economically challenged area, provided him with invaluable insights into effective educational interventions, particularly for schools serving impoverished children. This experience led him to co-found the Urban Learning and Leadership Center (ULLC), an organization dedicated to student achievement and reducing the achievement gap.
Today, Dr. Hodge serves as the Chief Inspirational Officer of AADULLC, following a strategic merger between ULLC and An Achievable Dream. This union has amplified their collective ability to assist school districts across the United States. What sets Dr. Hodge apart is his remarkable ability to bridge the gap between theory and practice. He has a proven track record of helping educators in diverse settings – rural, urban, and suburban – implement necessary changes to meet and exceed rigorous academic standards. His expertise in creating and sustaining academic excellence has made him an indispensable resource for schools nationwide.
As one of America’s most respected voices in education, Dr. John W. Hodge continues to inspire and guide educators, helping them overcome obstacles and achieve their goals. His presentations and consultations serve as catalysts for continuous improvement in schools across the country, solidifying his position as a transformative figure in American education.
The education of America’s youth is a challenging prospect when one considers the many burdens faced by impoverished children and their families. Research indicates that poverty need not be a barrier to academic excellence. As co-author of the book Standing in the Gap, Dr. Hodge states, “Across the nation, schools are demonstrating that it can be done: That students can reach high standards, that all children can succeed, that the gap between white and minority students, poor and affluent, can be closed.” More often than not, one caring adult can make all the difference in the world. This presentation will encourage all of us to BE THE ONE.
Resilience has never been more important than it is right now in America’s schools and communities, many of which are still recovering from the risk-factors exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic. Today, and in the near future, schools must be purposeful in their efforts to foster resilience in students and staff. In the book, You Can Get in the Way, Dr. Hodge defines resilience in the following way: “Resilience refers to the ability to avoid, navigate, bounce back from, get through, get over, go around, or survive adversities of all kinds.” This session is the perfect way to inspire your school district, schools and/or community stakeholders to take action. In this session, Dr. Hodge provides an overview of the book along with very practical solutions to help buffer the risk-factors that traditionally hold kids back. It’s the perfect launch for a new school year, or a needed boost during the tough months that follow. After being shared with over 800 educators in a state-wide conference, this session has already been described as “life-changing” by many of those lucky enough to hear it.
Throughout the nation, schools are seeking best practices in school improvement to increase student achievement for all students as we meet the demands of NCLB and the newly emerging Common Core National Standards. Successful schools have determined that highly engaging instruction with a standards-aligned curriculum focus, driven by meticulous data analysis, are the keys to success in this high stakes testing environment. The development process for the ULLC school action plan is a six-step model:
S.A.M.E. stands for Social, Academic and Moral Education. It is a holistic approach to creating and sustaining academic excellence in today’s schools. S.A.M.E. provides a research supported, holistic view of school improvement by addressing all of the components of school and district culture which must be addressed if lasting school reform is to be attained, i.e. the Social Domain, the Academic Domain and the Moral Domain. As the rigor of state accountability measures increase, schools must focus their efforts to achieve and sustain academic excellence. Come learn how this approach has been particularly successful in schools serving high-poverty populations.
