“Sam Stecher spoke at our Kansas/Nebraska Phi Theta Kappa Conference in Manhattan, Kansas in November of 2018 and he did a great job! Sam was easy to listen to and used some great examples and language to keep the students engaged. We thank Sam for his part in helping to make our conference a big success!”
~Tammy Fuentez, VP Students Affairs, Title IX Coordinator

“Barry and Tyler, thanks so much for booking Sam and Mark to speak at our 2017-18 Staff Kick-off. Their presentation was awesome! It was exactly what I wanted the staff to hear. I am already observing the impact their words had on our people. I think this will be one of the rare presentations that will actually have a long-term impact on our district and I can’t ask for more than that! Please thank Sam and Mark again for an impactful presentation!”
~Jason Dolliver, Superintendent, Pender Public Schools

“We absolutely loved having Sam and Mark with us to kick off our 2017-18 school year. They were definitely a huge hit with our staff!! We have a huge focus on building strong relationships with our students and the conversation that Sam and Mark sparked fit the bill. We continue to use their Mission Monday messages with our parents/staff/students. We would highly recommend them to other school districts and look forward to having them with us again. Thank you again for your efforts…they are sincerely appreciated!”
~Kelly Ballinger, P-6 Principal, Pender Public Schools

“Sam and Mark are entertaining and energizing presenters. They provide great strategies for building a culture of respect in a way that makes it realistically possible for administrators to implement. Attendees walk away remembering why it's important to build positive relationships with students, staff, and the community and the tools to do just that.”
~Megan Hillabrand, Professional Development Manager, Nebraska Council of School Administrators

“What can I say...With heartfelt appreciation, Sam and Mark have given our Ka'u-Kea'au-Pahoa Complex Area Staff a POSITIVE boost to start the year! Being part of our first-ever Complex-wide day was an essential ingredient for a successful day! Sam and Mark’s breakout sessions were full! Some teachers even ate their lunches in Sam & Mark's room prior to the start of their last session, just to make sure they would have a seat! Tailgating at an educational event…Amazing!”
~Iwalani Harris, Teacher, Kea’au, Hawaii

“Mark and Sam are presenters with real-world experience gained from their work with students in the classroom, principal's office, and the hallways. They bring humor, compassion and common sense to their workshops which both entertain and enlighten those educators lucky enough to attend. We have worked with them for over 10 years and have seen them grow in their ability to motivate and inspire those who work with students and their parents. They are both very reliable and professional in their work and are also personable and extremely likable. Our participants have always given them extremely positive reviews!”
~Sarah Knapp, Class Coordinator, Advantage Discipline Conferences

“Sam and Mark did an excellent job! Very funny and entertaining...with a message! My staff gave them an A+!”
~Dr. Jami Jo Thompson, Superintendent, Norfolk Public Schools

"Our participants absolutely loved Sam’s keynote! His friendly, engaging, and enthusiastic demeanor, along with his common-sense approach to community building and youth work, quickly won over the crowd. Everyone walked away with practical, actionable ideas, but more importantly left the session feeling inspired (and entertained). We would bring him back in a heartbeat!"
~Natalie Roberts-Day, Associate Executive Director, YMCA Camp Kitaki

 


SAM STECHER &
MARK JOHNSON
Creating a Positive Culture of Kindness

  

BIO:


  

Sam Stecher has been the Superintendent of East Butler Public Schools in Brainard, Nebraska since 2014. Prior to this endeavor he spent 3 years serving as principal of Emerson Elementary in Kearney, Nebraska. He also held the position of Dean of Students at Kearney High School for three years. Sam got his start in education as a teacher at Horizon Middle School where he taught History and coached wrestling for 11 years. He is also co-founder (with Mark Johnson) of an educational consultant firm known as MissionMonday.com which specializes in providing teachers, schools, and communities with interventions to foster a positive school culture. They are also co-authors of It Happens In The Hallway, a dynamic account of their experiences in the classroom.

Mark Johnson has been in education for over 20 years. He was an elementary school teacher for twelve years before moving into an elementary principal position, which he has held for the past nine years. He received the "Milken National Educator Award" in 2004 as a teacher, and as a principal was a “National Blue Ribbon Award" winner in 2010. He was also named “Outstanding New Principal of the Year” for the state of Nebraska in 2011 and recently served as President for the NAESP in Nebraska.

Mark and Sam have provided instruction, training, and leadership at every level from elementary school to university institutions. Through MissionMonday.com as well as the opportunity to speak at conferences and schools, Mark and Sam have been able to connect with thousands of educators nationwide. This endeavor began years ago in a little coffee shop where two good friends would get together to talk about their successes and failures as teachers.  Logically it grew beyond the classroom to changing the world. And that conversation never really stopped. Consider this your invitation to join them.

 

  
TRAVELING FROM:  

Lincoln, Nebraska

 

  

BOOK:

 

  
 

It Happens in the Hallway (2015) Mark Johnson and Sam Stecher have served as teachers, coaches, and administrators. They have provided instruction, training, and leadership at every level from elementary school to university institutions. Through speaking at conferences and schools, Mark and Sam have been able to connect with thousands of educators nationwide. This book is an extension of those conversations.

 
SPEECH TOPICS:  

What if random acts of kindness were not so random - These positive interactions can be part of how we do business every day. Mark and Sam will tell you the stories behind the choices they use to create a positive culture where kindness and validation are not random but the norm. Every choice is an investment in the quality of our lives and the lives around us. Mark and Sam will laugh with you through the learning and leave you with a plan to choose to make your organization great.

 

"Sam and Mark are high-energy, entertaining, and relevant. Their varied experiences in the world of education provide them with true anecdotes that demonstrate the philosophy they share in a humorous, sometimes heart-breaking, always enlightening, way. The teacher candidates at our university who hear their presentations have picked up strategies for developing relationships with their students that they can implement the next day in their own classrooms and hallways. A person can’t help but leave their presentations inspired to make a difference with students of all ages."
~Ann Knipping, Director of Field Experiences, University of Nebraska at Kearney - College of Education

"Sam Stecher & Mark Johnson of Mission Monday (dubbed “The Shoe Guys” in our office) have brought valuable insight to our conferences for many years. They place the needs of their students at the heart of each witty presentation. Attendees walk away with a mindset to shift their school climate and culture to one of mutual respect and encouragement with easy to implement steps that actually work to improve the lives of students."
~Keli Wickersham, Director of Conferences & e-Learning Events, Developmental Resources, a division of AccuTrain, Corp.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 
Copyright 2010     MIDAMERICA SPEAKERS BUREAU