"Stopping at Every Lemonade Stand"

"The best book I've ever read about how to create real change in the lives of our kids."
-Chinaberry Press Review

Seven Reasons to Book James

His presentations are focused on:
  • The 21st Century Learner
  • What students want from teachers!
  • School/Community/Family Connections
  • From High Risk to Thriving Students
  • The Power of Meaningful Work 
  • Raising Test Scores & Grades
  • Demonstrating how to "Do MORE with less"
  • Dozens of easy, practical ideas
  • Heartwarming Stories
  • Current, Research Based data
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Sample Clients:

  • National Title 1
  • Governor’s Summits
  • Search Institute
  • Thrive Canada!
  • National Boys and Girls Clubs
  • Los Angeles School District
  • State of Illinois State Educator’s Conference
  • National Association of Partner’s in Education













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KEYNOTES FOR SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITIES:

INSPIRING EXCELLENCE: PRACTICES OF GREAT SCHOOLS AND GREAT STAFF!

In this dynamic, highly interactive presentation, participants will discover the common ingredients of all great schools, teachers, and staff. You’ll hear stories from across the country about practices that really work, and you’ll be informed about the most recent research from the Gallup Organization and Search Institute on the importance of a strength based approach and seeing youth as participants, not recipients, parents as players, not protagonists, and communities that support youth in innovative ways. You’ll discover how focusing on “small changes” improves attendance, grades, and even test scores! Participants will also learn how great schools focus on nine key areas to create thriving environments, and will learn about the most important characteristics students want from their teachers. This presentation is guaranteed to leave participants affirmed for the great practices they are already implementing, and have them inspired to begin a new school year, or encouraged to adopt practices grounded in research once the school year is in session. 

THE FAMILY, COMMUNITY, SCHOOL CONNECTION

Drawn from his book “Stopping at Every Lemonade Stand: How to Create a Culture That Cares for Kids” Vollbracht shows how the extended family and neighborhoods that have raised kids forever have completely disappeared, and what we can do to make up for this loss. The presentation is full of highly practical ideas; from baby boomers helping in schools, community members become more kid friendly, students becoming involved in every aspect of school, principals and teachers using quick cell phone calls to praise kids and how free innovative technology can transform their roles. The best thing? It doesn’t have to cost any money! Consistently rated outstanding, this presentation is for students, parents, teachers, community members, and all who love our kids!


FROM HIGH RISK TO HIGH PERFORMING: THE POWER OF MEANINGFUL WORK

In this keynote  you’ll discover how resiliency research tells us that at-risk students who demonstrate challenging behaviors need programs that focus on what’s positive and allows them to contribute to their school. You’ll learn how Just one highly disruptive student (as we all know) can divert learning dramatically and how many “tough” students are unaffected by principal visits, suspensions, or expulsions. The bottom line is that we can never punish students to stay in school, and one of the most compelling and powerful ways to begin to shift this approach this is through an innovative approach of meaningful work and the power of relationships and mentoring. You’ll discover how to begin a Meaningful Work program and how disruptive students begin to see themselves in a positive way and how behaviors begin to change. What are the outcomes?These approaches dramatically reduce high risk and inappropriate behaviors, create connectedness to school while increasing thriving behaviors that can translate into higher attendance, grades, and test scores. As the program progresses discover how the entire student body can be involved and everyone has the opportunity to be an active participant in a life changing experience.

 
Dynamic Follow-Up Workshops/Trainings:

Have a workshop or training specifically tailored for your organization. Focus on nine specific areas including technology, and
develop specific action plans to engage students, staff, and community.. These workshops are highly interactive and very practical with current research to support how grades, test scores, and attendance will increase.



YOUTH AS RESOURCES EVENT

The Student Service & Leadership Event: Make Youth Part of the Solution, Not the Problem!

In this dynamic, high energy training for 5th grade through high school, you will be tapping into the most underutilized resource in the WORLD today - our youth. In this leadership and service training, students will learn leadership from the best selling book “Good to Great,” and identify service projects they can do in school to improve the school or community climate. What’s the good news? Students involved in ongoing service are 51% less likely to be engaged in high risk behavior and leadership training leads to thriving behaviors. Train up to 100 students (you pick the grade levels)and let’s get our kids changing the school and community! In this highly insightful presentation you’ll discover the three major events in North America in just the last sixty years that have  impacted youth dramatically. In a culture where only 75% of today’s adults believe the youth of today will have a positive impact upon the future, the participant will also discover the seven highly unique and positive qualities of this generation and how to capitalize upon them. Through heart touching stories, participants will also identify the “circle of influence” where they can have the greatest impact.


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Call or email:

jvollbrach@aol.com

406-599-5874
(Flies out of Tucson, AZ)
  
If you're interested in booking James call now or email for a free book!



"His keynote brought us to our feet. We needed to hear a hopeful message about our kids and real ways to bring it about." 
-- School Principal
Los Angeles, CA.
Unified School District
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"Absolutely one of the most provocative and positive keynotes we've ever had."
-- Dade County, Florida
Social Services
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"I took more notes from his keynote than I   do at most workshops. All things I can begin to do right away. What students want from teachers was priceless."
- Jeanne Dunn
   Teacher   
    Denver Public Schools


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"Incredibly useful and inspiring."
  - Sue Wooten
    Teacher
    Sun Valley, ID



















"I never thought I was a leader or that I could help our school in a positive way. Now, I'm part of it all!"
- Billy Saunders
   6th Grade Student      
   Salisbury, MD



"I couldn't believe I was invited to this training. I'm not an "A" student or really involved in other stuff, and this been a highlight of my life, I'm so excited to be involved."
   - Lindsay Salinger
     8th Grade Student
     Norwalk, CT 
"One of the most impactful presentations we've had for our staff, board members and supporters."
-- Executive Director
San Jose, CA
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