Michael Reist

TV Ontario Broadcast “Your Voice” March 5, 2010
Gender and Learning: What Differences Really Exist And How Should We Manage Them?
A panel discussion with Leonard Sax, Lise Eliot and Michael Reist
Click here to watch podcast.

TV Ontario Broadcast “Your Voice” April 1, 2008
Homeschooling from A-Z: Is School Essential To Your Child’s Learning?
A panel discussion on homeschooling including Michael Reist.
Click here to watch podcast.

  

Booking a Workshop  

I speak to parent groups, school staffs and education conferences across Canada. I am most commonly invited by School Councils to speak to parent groups. You may suggest any dates not already listed below.

By scrolling down you will see the following lists:

• Upcoming speaking engagements listed by date

• A list of my workshop topics with descriptions

• Past speaking engagements listed by topic

  For more information or to book a workshop, phone or e-mail me. [click here]

Upcoming Speaking Engagements

January 6, 2010
Boys and Girls Learn Differently
Ellwood Memorial Public School Staff, Bolton

January 20, 2010
Boys and Girls Learn Differently
Sunningdale Public School, Oakville

January 28, 2010
Boys and Girls Learn Differently
Brittania Public School, Mississauga

February 3, 2010
Raising Emotionally Healthy Children
McBride Public School, Mississauga

February 10, 2010
Boys and Girls Learn Differently
Queen Elizabeth Senior Public School, Mississauga

February 24, 2010
Boys and Girls Learn Differently
Pauline Vanier Public School, Brampton

March 2, 2010
Boys and Girls Learn Differently
Community and Parent Partners for Kids, Burlington

March 10, 2010
Boys and Girls Learn Differently
Palgrave Public School, Palgrave

March 12, 2010
Boys and Girls Learn Differently
E.D. Drury School For The Deaf, Milton

March 24, 2010
Raising Kids In A New Kind Of World
St. Brigid Catholic Elementary School, Toronto

March 31, 2010
Boys and Girls Learn Differently
Acton Education Night, Acton

April 8, 2010
Raising Kids In A New Kind Of World
Mary Fix Public School, Mississauga

April 12, 2010
Raising Kids In A New Kind Of World
St. Thomas More Elementary School, Mississauga

April 15, 2010
Raising Kids With Character
Allan Drive Senior Public School, Bolton

April 21, 2010
Bullying: Why Does It Happen and What Can Kids, Parents and Teachers Do About It
Hogarth Public School, Mississauga

April 28, 2010
Boys and Girls Learn Differently
Ottawa Crescent Public School, Guelph

May 5, 2010
Boys and Girls Learn Differently
McBride Public School, Mississauga

May 7, 2010
Boys and Girls Learn Differently
St. Anne Elementary School, Brampton

May 12, 2010
Raising Kids In A New Kind Of World
Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Elementary School, Mississauga

May 18, 2010
Raising Kids In A New Kind Of World
Fallingbrook Middle School, Mississauga

May 19, 2010
Topic to be announced
Halton Hills Parent Education Network, Georgetown

May 26, 2010
Boys and Girls Learn Differently
Terry Fox Public School, Brampton

June 2, 2010
Raising Kids In A New Kind Of World
Venerable Michael J. McGivney Catholic School, Mississauga

Choose One of the Following Workshops to be Presented at Your School

Boys and Girls Learn Differently

How Gender Differences Influence Learning and Behaviour

Gender differences have a profound influence on learning and behaviour. Boys’ brains and girls’ brains develop and operate very differently. Current brain research has revealed fascinating differences between the way males and females think and communicate. The implications for teaching and raising boys and girls are profound. Teachers and parents of both genders will benefit from this entertaining and enlightening workshop.
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Raising Kids In A New Kind of World (for parents)  

Teaching Kids From A New Kind of World (for teachers)

From MSN to piercing, children and teenagers are living in a social environment very different from the one their parents and teachers grew up in. How do we raise our children in such a new world? What are the new rules? Do any of the old rules still apply? This thought-provoking workshop will deal with some of the most pressing issues facing parents and teachers today: the internet, video games, bullying, keeping the lines of communication open - among many others.

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Raising Emotionally Healthy Children  

Children cannot learn well and grow strong if their emotional needs are not met. What are the fundamental emotional needs that all children have? How can I provide these with my busy lifestyle? How can I protect them from the emotional pain they will inevitably face? This thought-provoking and inspiring workshop will look at the most important emotional needs children have and provide practical suggestions for raising emotionally strong and mentally healthy children.

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Effective Discipline

Discipline is an area all parents struggle with at one time or another. As our culture changes so quickly, it’s hard to know where the boundaries are sometimes. Am I being too strict? Am I being too lenient? This workshop will help parents answer these questions by looking at the various ingredients that make up discipline. We will discuss healthy ways of disciplining children and practical strategies for situations like homework, chores, fighting, computer time and many others.

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Understanding A.D.D.

Does my child or my student have A.D.D.? Why does he find it so hard to sit still and pay attention? What are the symptoms of A.D.D. and how is it treated? What strategies can I use at home or in my classroom to help students who have trouble paying attention? This informative presentation will look at current research and thinking about A.D.D. as well as common ways in which the condition can be dealt with in school and at home. Many children who have trouble paying attention do not have A.D.D. We will discuss the issue of paying attention generally - something many of us have trouble with!

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Bullying

Why It Happens. What Parents, Teachers, and Kids Can Do About It

This workshop looks at the nature and causes of bullying and what can be done about it by teachers, parents and kids themselves. We look at the psychology of bullies and bullied kids and give practical strategies for responding to the problem. We live in a bullying culture where “might makes right.” What can teachers, parents and kids do to counter this attitude? At its core, bullying is about human relationships. How can we relate to each other in ways that are not about power and control?

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Bullying: From the Classroom to the Staffroom

A Workshop for Teachers and Administrators

Bullying is a student problem, but it is also a teacher problem. Teachers can be the victims of bullying by students, parents and administrators. This workshop looks at the nature and causes of all forms of bullying and what can be done about it. We will look at the psychology behind bullying and give practical strategies for responding to the problem. We live in a bullying culture where “might makes right.” What can teachers do to counter this attitude? At its core, bullying is about human relationships. How can we relate to other adults and our students in ways that are not about power and control?

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Raising Kids With Character (for parents)    

Teaching For Character  (for teachers)

Education at its best is essentially education for character.” - Finding Common Ground: Character Development in Ontario Schools, K-12
The Ministry of Education has introduced a new initiative to give character education a central place in our schools. In our post-modern world, we tend to shy away from any kind of value judgements. Are there any core values that are universal and make up the “content” of character? Can character be “taught?” This inspiring and thought-provoking workshop will explore what is meant by character education and introduce teachers (or parents) to a deeper understanding of their vocation.

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How To Survive (and Thrive) in Teaching

Rubrics and outcomes do not feed the soul. How do I keep the flame burning without burning out? How do I become the teacher I want to be? In this workshop (or 3-day course) teachers at all different stages of their careers will find inspiration and renewal. We will delve into some of the deepest questions in teaching: What is teaching? What is learning? What is the nature of institutions? How do I keep a positive attitude and love of teaching in the face of so many negative forces? This is a course that has changed lives and renewed many careers. It will change the way you think about teaching.
(This course was previously presented under the title “Replacing the Hard Drive: New Ways of Being A Teacher” and before that as “Re-Thinking School: Radical Theories of Education”)

Past Speaking Engagements

“Effective Discipline”

• July, 2009 Dufferin Area Family Health Team, Orangeville
• March 2009 Palgrave Public School, Palgrave 

“Raising Kids In A New Kind of World”

• November 2009 Loyola Catholic Secondary School, Mississauga 
• November 2009 Dufferin Parent Support Network, Orangeville 
• October 2009 St. Roch’s CSS “Boys’ Night Out, Brampton 
• October 2009 St. Roch’s CSS “Girls’ Night Out,” Brampton 
• September 2009 St. Philip Catholic Elementary School, Mississauga 
• May 2009 Mineola Public School, Mississauga 
• May 2009 Ontario Association of Parents in Catholic Education Conference, Toronto 
• May 2009 Glenhaven Senior Public School, Mississauga 
• May 2009 Queen Elizabeth Senior Public School, Mississauga 
• May 2009 St. Gerard Catholic Elementary School, Mississauga 
• April, 2009 St. Mary’s Catholic Elementary School Elora 
• April, 2009 St. Alfred Catholic Elementary School, Mississauga 
• March 2009 Bramalea Secondary School, Brampton 
• February 2009 Board-Wide P.D. Day, Kenora Catholic District School Board, Kenora 
• February 2009 Canadian Martyrs Catholic Elementary School, Mississauga
• January 2009 David Leeder Middle School, Mississauga 
• November 2008 Sts Martha and Mary Elementary School, Mississauga
• October 2008 Holy Rosary Catholic Elementary School, Guelph
• May 2008 Tecumseth Beeton Public Elementary School, Beeton 
• May 2008 St. John of the Cross Elementary School, Mississauga 
• May 2008 St. Christopher Elementary School, Brampton 
• May 2008 Palgrave Public School, Palgrave 
• May 2008 St. Ignatius Loyola Secondary School, Mississauga 
• April 2008 George Vanier Elementary School, Brampton 
• April 2008 St. Stephens Elementary School, Brampton 
• April 2008 Forest Avenue Public School, Mississauga 
• March 2008 Central Committee of Catholic School Councils, Mississauga 
• February 2008 St. Lucy Elementary School, Brampton
• February 2008 Men’s Family Life Conference, Mississauga
• February 2008 St. John Bosco Elementary School, Brampton
• January 2008 St. Edmund Elementary School, Mississauga
• November 2007 Fr. Michael Goetz Catholic Secondary School, Mississauga
• November 2007 Guelph Homeschoolers, Guelph
• October 2007 St. Cornelius Catholic Elementary School, Caledon East 
• September 2007 Holy Family Elementary School, Bolton 
• May 2007 St. Cornelius Catholic Elementary School, Caledon East
• April 2007 Palgrave Public School, Palgrave
• March 2007 Central Committee of Catholic School Councils, Mississauga

“Raising Emotionally Healthy Children”

• November 2009 Guelph Homeschool Group, Guelph 
• October 2009 J.D. Hogarth Public School, Fergus 
• October 2009 St. Thomas Aquinas CSS “Boys’ Night Out,” Brampton 
• September 2009 St. Thomas Aquinas CSS “Girls’ Night Out,” Brampton 
• April 2009 Westervelts Corners Public School, Brampton 
• February 2009 Our Lady of Peace Catholic Elementary School, Brampton 
• November 2008 St. Cornelius Catholic Elementary School, Caledon East
• November 2008 Palgrave Public Elementary School, Palgrave
• October 2008 The Homeschooling Network, Milton

“Teaching for Character”

• October 2009 When Faith Meets Pedagogy Conference, Toronto 
• February 2009 Keynote Address, Board-Wide P.D. Day, Kenora Catholic District School Board, Kenora 
• February 2009 Staff P.D. Workshop, Bramalea Secondary School, Brampton
• October 2008 NOEL (Northern Ontario Educational Leaders) Conference, Thunder Bay
• September 2007 Regional Catholic Trustee Conference for Thunder Bay Diocese. Hosted by Thunder Bay Catholic District School Board, Thunder Bay 
• September 2007 Keynote Address, Board-Wide P.D. Day, Wellington Catholic District School Board, Guelph 
• August 2007 Pedagogy for Active Citizenship Conference (OECTA), Toronto 
• March 2007 Teachers As Leaders Conference (OECTA), Toronto

“Raising Kids With Character”

• April, 2009 Parents’ Night Out, St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Secondary School, Brampton

“Boys and Girls Learn Differently”

• November 2009 Certified Asthma and Respiratory Educators Conference, Whistler, B.C. 
• November 2009 Ellwood Memorial Public School, Bolton 
• November 2009 Erin District High School, Erin 
• October 2009 Milton Parent Education Network, Milton 
• September 2009 Upper Grand District School Board, Guelph 
• August 2009 Summer Institute, Dufferin-Peel CDSB, Mississauga 
• June 2009 Port Credit Secondary School Parent Network, Mississauga 
• May 2009 St. John The Baptist Elementary School, Bolton 
• May 2009 P.A. Day, Halton Catholic District School Board, Burlington 
• May 2009 St. Mary’s Catholic Elementary School, Elora 
• May 2009 Catholic Principals’ of Ontario Conference, Toronto 
• April 2009 Dufferin Parent Support Network, Orangeville
• April 2009 St. Philip Elementary School, Mississauga 
• April 2009 Forest Avenue Public School 
• March 2009 Wellesworth Junior Public School, Etobicoke 
• February 2009 Somerset Drive Public School, Brampton 
• December 2008 Holy Trinity High School OECTA P.D. Day, Oakville
• November 2008 St. Thomas Aquinas Secondary School Staff P.D. Day, Brampton
• October 2008 Homestead Public School, Brampton
• October 2008 Association for Bright Children - Peel Chapter, Mississauga
• August 2008 Holy Trinity Catholic Secondary School, Staff P.D. Day, Courtice 
• August 2008 NOEL (Northern Ontario Education Leaders) Literacy Conference, Thunder Bay
• August 2008 Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board Summer Institute, Mississauga 
• June 2008 Mississauga Parent-Child Resource Centre, Annual General Members Meeting 
• May 2008 Westervelts Public School, Brampton 
• May 2008 Diversity in Education Conference, Ontario Federation of Teaching Parents, Toronto 
• April 2008 Sts Mary and Martha Elementary School, Brampton 
• April 2008 George Vanier Elementary School, Brampton 
• April 2008 Monsignor Ronan Catholic Elementary School, Beeton
• March 2008 Precept Insurance and Risk Management, Guelph 
• February 2008 St. Edmund Elementary School, Mississauga
• January 2008 St. John of the Cross Elementary School, Mississauga
• January 2008 St. Lucy Elementary School, Brampton
• November 2007 Elora Public School, Elora
• November 2007 St. Timothy’s Elementary School, Mississauga
• November 2007 Parents of Wellington Catholic District School Board, Guelph
• November 2007 Christ The Kind Secondary School, Georgetown
• November 2007 St. Edmund Elementary School, Mississauga
• October 2007 Charles Fraser Public School Child Care, Toronto
• October 2007 Dufferin-Peel Elementary Teachers In-Service, OECTA Office, Mississauga
• October 2007 Christ The King Secondary School, Georgetown 
• September 2007 St. Cornelius Elementary School, Caledon East 
• August 2007 Dufferin-Peel Summer Institute, Mississauga 
• June 2007 St. Edmund Elementary School, Brampton
• May 2007 The Homeschool Network, Milton
• May 2007 Christ the King Elementary School, Mississauga
• May 2007 Peel District School Board Educational Resource Worker’s Association, Mississauga
• May 2007 St. Raymond Elementary School, Mississauga
• April 2007 Beacon Family of Schools, Robert F. Hall, Caledon East
• April 2007 St. Cornelius Elementary School, Caledon East
• April 2007 St. Jean Brebeuf Elementary School, Brampton
• April 2007 Guelph Homeschoolers, Guelph
• April 2007 York University Teacher Pre-Service, Mississauga
• April 2007 Holy Cross Elementary School, Georgetown
• April 2007 St. Brigid Elementary School, Georgetown
• March 2007 Central Committee of Catholic School Councils, Mississauga
• March 2007 Our Lady of Providence Elementary School, Brampton
• February 2007 St. Leonard’s Elementary School, Brampton
• February 2007 St. Luke Elementary School, Mississauga
• February 2007 Canadian Martyrs Elementary School, Mississauga
• February 2007 St. Francis Elementary School, Georgetown
• January 2007 St. Francis Xavier Secondary School, Mississauga
• January 2007 St. Peter’s Elementary School, Orangeville
• December 2006 St. Stephen’s Elementary School, Brampton
• November 2006 St. Jean Brebeuf Elementary School, Brampton
• October 2006 When Faith Meets Pedagogy Conference, Toronto
• October 2006 Mary Fix Catholic Elementary School, Mississauga
• October 2006 Charles Garnier Elementary School, Mississauga
• September 2006 Holy Family Elementary School, Bolton
• September 2006 San Lorenzo Ruiz Elementary School, Mississauga
• September 2006 Robert F. Hall Professional Development Day, Caledon East
• September 2006 St. Faustina Elementary School, Mississauga
• August 2006 St. Marguerite D’Youville Staff Development Day, Brampton
• August 2006 Dufferin-Peel Summer Institute, Mississauga
• July 2006 Bramalea Gospel Assembly, Brampton
• July 2006 OECTA Religion Additional Qualification Course, Brampton
• May 2006 Diversity in Education Conference, Ontario Federation of Teaching Parents, Glendon College, Toronto
• May 2006 Robert F. Hall Catholic Secondary School, Caledon East
• April 2006 Central Committee of Catholic School Councils, Mississauga
• April 2006 St. Simon Stock Elementary School, Mississauga
• January 2006 St. Mary Elementary School, Nobleton
• November 2005 Palgrave Public School, Palgrave
• November 2005 St. Monica Elementary School, Mississauga
• October 2005 When Faith Meets Pedagogy Conference, Toronto
• October 2005 St. Gertrude Elementary School, Mississauga
• May 2005 Ontario Learning Disabilities Association (Durham Chapter)

“Bullying: Why It Happens. What Parents, Teachers and Kids Can Do About It”

• May 2009 Homestead Public School, Brampton 
• April 2009 NOEL Front Line Conference, Thunder Bay 
• December 2008 Oakville Trafalgar Secondary School, Oakville
• August 2008 Wyndham House, Guelph 
• April 2008 St. Edmund Elementary School, Mississauga 
• March 2007 Dufferin-Peel Educational Resource Workers Association, Brampton
• January 2007 St. Francis Xavier Catholic Secondary School, Mississauga
• November 2006 St. Peter’s Elementary School, Orangeville
• March 2006 St. Joseph’s Elementary School, Cambridge
• June 2005 Seneca College Summer Camp, Staff Training Days
• March 2005 Bishop Francis Allen Elementary School, Brampton
• April 2004 St. Edith Stein Elementary School, Brampton
• October 2003 Lester B. Pearson, Brampton
• October 2003 St. Ursula Elementary School, Brampton
• September 2003 Saints Peter and Paul Elementary School, Mississauga
• April 2003 St. Patrick’s Elementary School, Brampton
• February 2003 Central Committee of Catholic School Councils, Mississauga
• November 2002 Robert F. Hall Catholic Secondary School, Caledon East

“Bullying: From the Classroom to the Staffroom - A Workshop for Teachers and Administrators”

• January 2009 P.D. Day for Teachers, St. Joan of Arc Secondary School, Mississauga 
• November 2008 Principal’s Qualification Program, Catholic Principal’s Council of Ontario, Brampton 
• October 2008 NOEL (Northern Ontario Educational Leaders) Conference, Thunder Bay
• June 2008 Principal’s Qualification Program, Catholic Principal’s Council of Ontario, Brampton 
• April 2008 Principal’s Qualification Program, Catholic Principal’s Council of Ontario, Brampton 
• November 2007 Principal’s Qualification Program, Catholic Principal’s Council of Ontario, Brampton
• August 2007 Dufferin-Peel Summer Institute, Mississauga
• April 2007 Principal’s Qualification Program, Catholic Principal’s Council of Ontario, Mississauga
• February 2007 Waterloo OECTA Professional Development Day, Waterloo
• January 2007 Robert F. Hall Catholic Secondary School, Staff Professional Development Day, Caledon East
• December 2006 Guelph OECTA Elementary Unit Professional Development Day, Guelph
• December 2006 Principal’s Qualification Program, Catholic Principal’s Council of Ontario, Mississauga
• July 2006 Principal’s Qualification Program, Catholic Principal’s Council of Ontario, Mississauga
• April 2006 Principal’s Qualification Program, Catholic Principal’s Council of Ontario, Mississauga
• February 2006 Waterloo OECTA Unit Professional Development Day, Cambridge

“Understanding A.D.D.”

• April 2008 Sts Mary and Martha Elementary School, Brampton 
• April 2008 George Vanier Elementary School, Brampton 
• December 2007  Educational Resource Facilitators Association, Peel District School Board, Mississauga

“Improving Boys’ Literacy”

• August 2008 NOEL (Northern Ontario Education Leaders) Literacy Conference, Thunder Bay 
• November 2006 St. Peter’s Elementary School, Orangeville
• October 2006 St. Andrew’s Elementary School, Orangeville
• May 2006 Diversity in Education Conference, Ontario Federation of Teaching Parents, Glendon College, Toronto

“The Special Needs of Boys”

• February 2009 “Boys Night Out” St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Secondary School, Brampton 
• April 2007 Our Lady of Providence Elementary School, Brampton
• November 2005 Peel District School Board CYW Professional Development Committee, Mississauga
• June 2005 Donna LaRush Parents Group, Agincourt
• April 2005 Ideas and Inspiration Conference, Ontario School Advocate, Mississauga
• October 2004 Home Based Learning Network Conference, Ottawa
• December 2003 The Homeschool Network, Oakville
• October 2003 Ontario Middle Level Education Association Conference, Mississauga
• September 2002 Diversity in Education VI Conference, Oakville
• April 2002 Home Based Learning Network Conference, Ottawa
• September 2001 Diversity in Education V Conference, Oakville

“The Special Needs of Girls”

• February 2009 “Girls Night Out” St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Secondary School, Brampton 
• March 2007 Our Lady of Providence Elementary School, Brampton
• November 2006 Peel Public School Board Teaching Assistants, Mississauga
• April 2004 The Homeschool Network, Oakville

“How To Survive (and Thrive) in Teaching”

• August 2006 OECTA Summer Program, Mississauga

“Replacing the Hard Drive: New Ways of Being A Teacher” (15 hour course)

• August 2004 OECTA Summer Program, Markham
• July 2003 OECTA Summer Program, Stratford
• August 2003 OECTA Summer Program, Ottawa
• August 2003 OECTA Summer Program, Timmins

“Keeping Things In Perspective”

• October 2004 Keynote Address - Home Based Learning Network Conference, Carleton University, Ottawa

“The Necessary Myth of the Movie Teacher”

• January 2004 Guest lecture, “Religion and Film” course, University of Toronto

“Summer School @ The Beach”

• July 2003 4-night public lecture series on alternative theories of education, Toronto

“Homeschooling From A Teacher’s Point of View”

• September 2001 Diversity in Education V Conference, Oakville
• September 2000 Diversity in Education IV Conference, Oakville

“English For The Homeschooled Teen”

• September 2000 Diversity in Education IV Conference, Oakville
• April 2000 Home Based Learning Network Conference, Ottawa
• September 1999 Diversity in Education III Conference, Toronto

“Homeschooling With Confidence”

• September 2001 Keynote Address - Diversity in Education V Conference, Oakville

“Re-Thinking School: Radical Theories of Education”

• October 2000 - March, 2001 5-part lecture series on alternative theories of education
  School of Continuing Education, St. Michael’s College, University of Toronto

“Looking Forward by Going Back: Grade 9 English On A Grade 8 Model”

• 1995 Dufferin-Peel Secondary Unit (OECTA) Professional Development Day