About me
Dr. Don Parker is a transformational keynote speaker and professional development provider. He
specializes in social-emotional learning, supporting teachers to build trusting relationships with
students, restorative practices, trauma-informed practices, and improving the culture and climate
of schools to enhance students’ and teachers’ feeling of belonging.
Dr. Parker is a former principal and served at Posen School in Posen, IL where he improved the
school’s culture and climate, staff collaboration, parent engagement, and student achievement.
Before that, he was the principal of Lincoln Avenue School, a K-8 school in Dolton, IL, where
he improved the culture, implemented a resilience program, and managed the implementation of
restorative justice, and increased attendance and student achievement.
Dr. Parker has a strong belief in creating a school climate in which the entire staff strives for
excellence to meet the academic and social-emotional needs of each student. He has presented
throughout the United States at distinguished educational conferences and has trained and
inspired thousands of educators after facilitating his workshops at hundreds of schools.
He is considered one of the top authorities on school discipline and is recognized as one of the
most scholarly, accomplished, engaging, and energetic education keynote speakers in the United
States!
Dr. Parker is the author of Building Bridges: Engaging Students At-Risk Through the Power of
Relationships and Be the Driving Force: Leading Your School on the Road to Equity.
