Dr. John Hodge currently serves as Vice-President of the Urban Learning and Leadership Center, a non-profit organization dedicated to the development of schools working to improve student achievement and close the achievement gap.  He works most closely with An Achievable Dream Academy, an inner city school where many of the interventions used by the Urban Learning and Leadership Center are piloted.  During his tenure as Program Director at An Achievable Dream, this high poverty school has become fully accredited with some of the highest scores in the city. 
     Prior to his association with An Achievable Dream, Dr. Hodge served as Associate Director of the AVID Center Eastern Division.  In this position, he helped to establish and disseminate the AVID program throughout the eastern United States.   Dr. Hodge is a trained facilitator for the (SREB) Leadership Initiative Modules "Leading Assessment and Instruction" and "Creating a High Performance Learning Culture".  He is also a trained assessor and coach facilitator and trainer in the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) "Developing the 21st Century Principal" program. 
     Throughout Dr. Hodge's career, he has served as a reading teacher, an English teacher, and an Assistant Principal.  After graduating from college with honors and before beginning his career in education, he distinguished himself as a soldier with the 7th Infantry Division of the United States Army.
     Dr. Hodge's expertise  in helping schools plan and implement strategies for academic growth has allowed schools and school systems throughout the country to achieve their goal of continuous student improvement.  He has provided training and support to thousands of teachers and administrators.  Additionally, as a motivational speaker, Dr. Hodge's stories of how to overcome obstacles have entertained and touched students, parents, teachers, and administrators. 

Topics Include:

• Motivating Teachers to Motivate Students:  Let's Talk About Belief!
• Please STOP Calling me At-Risk!
  Framing Success for Minority Students
• Helping Students Bounce Back: Resilience
  This presentation provides research supported strategies designed to help students bounce back from adversity.
• Educating Students Socially, Academically, and Morally
  This presentation teaches educators what it takes to create and sustain excellence.
• Never Love Children into Failure
• Understanding Gangs
  This presentation is designed to help educators understand the dynamics of gangs in America.

     To request information on Mr. John Hodge, e-mail jhodge@educationspeakersgroup.com