Peter De Witt - PRESENTATIONS

(Pictures: Hawaii Dept. of Ed. State Conference, Courtesy of (ICLE) Honolulu, Hawaii)

Around 30% (NYS Education Department) of all students struggle. Some students struggle for a long period of time, while others struggle for a short period. Out of the 30%, some students have a hard time with one subject, while other students struggle with all subjects.

Over his eleven years as a classroom teacher, Peter taught inclusion, meeting many students who struggled academically as well as socially. However, students who are not a part of the inclusion process struggle as well. Peter should know, because he was one of them.

"You must have been a really good student when you were in school," is something he heard a lot when doing author visits. The truth is...he wasn't.

"I had many outside factors that influenced my educational process. Those influences affected me negatively when I was younger, but as I grew up, I found influences that affected me in positive ways. I found what worked for me and used those same interventions with my students."

This "Struggling Learners" presentation focuses on how he and his colleagues help students who struggle academically and socially. Incorporating thirteen years of educational experience, Peter discusses how struggling learners feel like a failure, the grieving process parents go through, and classroom and building interventions every school can use with their students. His presentation also involves a lot of humor (video clips), and plenty of funny stories from the classroom.

Peter has researched many classroom, building and district level interventions that work for elementary school students, such as differentiated instruction, strength-based interventions, brain researched methods of instruction, and response to intervention (RTI).

In his "Teaching Struggling Learners" presentation, parents, teachers and administrators will learn about tools successful teachers use every day that will help children find success...in education and in life. (This presentation has been given at colleges, universities, Barnes and Noble Educator Receptions, state and national conferences).

Peter De Witt was described by my Education majors, after a recent presentation, as "dynamic and real", "someone who really connects theory and practice" and "Awesome! A voice from the trenches". I wholeheartedly agree with their assessment. Peter's affable manner and sincerity demonstrated how, with perseverance, passion and the support and encouragement of a caring adult (often a teacher) a life can be turned around. His presentation was very empowering for these future educators.

"I had the pleasure of hearing you at the Model Schools Conference a couple of weeks ago in DC. I truly enjoyed your presentation and came back with many things to use this fall. Many of the ideas you shared were practical and down to earth. I loved the fact that you offered hands on practical knowledge. Thank you again for all that you did!"

Elementary Principal

"How wonderful to find someone who wants to put the fun back into learning-especially for the challenged learner. Peter-you are a breath of fresh air and a fountain of information! Thanks."

I wanted to thank you for your inspiring presentation at the National Urban Alliance Conference (NUA). Your passion for education really shines through!

Gloria Lynn Pitsley
Library Media Specialist
Sargent Elementary School
Beacon, New York

Intended Audience: Students, parents, instructional staff, instructional support staff, and administrators

Readings from Peter's three published stories, Toaster Pond, Isabella and the Room of Lost Brooms, and Catcher's Mitt.

Any writer will tell you that there is a great deal that goes into writing a book. It starts with a good idea, lots of self-discipline, and not getting discouraged when the rejection letters arrive at your house (and they do arrive...in truckloads!).

Peter gives the story behind creating stories, editing them, and what it feels like to see your book in a bookstore. He brings some props and a lot of humor (Buying the book ahead of time is a plus if the reading is for a library or school visit).

"A natural storyteller, Peter shared the plot, characters and setting of his new book with a group of young
writers and afterwards, the students were clamoring to read the whole book! Peter's presentation was captivating!"