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Dr. David A. Sousa - Making Schools Brain Compatible

Come to the cutting edge! In this keynote, we will review some of the fascinating new scientific research about how the brain learns. It will include the effects of emotions on learning, the controversy over the brain's "windows of opportunity," what the brain of today's student expects in school, the students' changing modality preferences, and how daily body rhythms can affect teachers and student performance. We will discuss how educators can use this information to ensure that all students benefit from schools and classrooms that are brain-compatible.

Dr. David A. Sousa is an international educational consultant and author of "How the Brain Learns" (Second Edition), "How the Special Needs Brain Learns," "How the Gifted Brain Learns," and "The Leadership Brain" (all published by Corwin Press). He has conducted workshops in hundreds of school districts on brain research, instructional skills, and science education at the Pre-K to 12 and university levels. He has made presentations at national conventions of educational organizations and has served as a consultant to regional and local school districts across the U.S., Canada, Europe, and Asia.

Dr. Sousa has a bachelor's degree in chemistry from Massachusetts State College at Bridgewater, a Master of Arts in Teaching degree in science from Harvard University, and a doctorate from Rutgers University. His teaching experience covers all levels. He has taught junior and senior high school science, served as a K-12 director of science, and as Supervisor of Instruction for the West Orange, NJ, schools. He then became superintendent of the New Providence, NJ, public schools. He has been an adjunct professor of education at Seton Hall University and a visiting lecturer at Rutgers University.

Prior to his career in New Jersey, Dr. Sousa taught at the American School of Paris, France, and served for five years as a Foreign Service Officer and science advisor at the U.S.A. diplomatic missions in Geneva and Vienna.

Dr. Sousa has edited science books and published dozens of articles in leading journals on staff development, science education, and educational research. His popular books for educators – "How the Brain Learns," now in its second edition, "How the Special Needs Brain Learns," and "How the Gifted Brain Learns," explain the latest research on learning and translate it into practical and effective classroom strategies. His newest book, "The Leadership Brain," suggests ways for educators to lead today's schools more effectively.

In 1992, Dr. Sousa was president of the National Staff Development Council. He has received numerous awards from professional associations, school districts, educational foundations, and Bridgewater State College (Distinguished Alumni Award) for his commitment to research, staff development, and science education. He is past president of New Jersey Science Education Leadership Assn. and served on the NJ Science Convention Steering Committee for 18 years.

Dr. Sousa has been interviewed by Matt Lauer on the NBC Today Show and by National Public Radio about his work with schools using brain research.