Steve Young Education Speaker

Stephen Young

Steve is a retired Elementary teacher and Principal with 35 years of service. He has Bachelors (McMaster University) and Masters (University of New Brunswick) Degrees in Physical Education, a Bachelor of Education (University of Toronto) and a Masters in Restorative Practice (International Institute for Restorative Practices (IIRP) Graduate School). He also holds Ontario Education Principal and Supervisory Officer qualifications.

Steve has been involved in the use of Restorative Practices in schools for more than 20 years. Working with the York Region District school Board, Steve championed and lead the Board’s Restorative Practices initiative for many years, as well as sitting on the Board’s Safe Schools Committee.

He also worked within the Youth Justice court system, facilitating conferences as part of the Youth Justice Act. He is a member of FaithCare, sitting on the steering committee and providing restorative services to faith communities. Steve is a certified trainer with the IIRP in Formal Conferences, Circles, and Restorative Frameworks. He presently sits as a Trustee on the IIRP Board of Trustees. Steve is a certified Community Mediator and Restorative Justice trainer with Community Justice Alternatives of Durham Region (CJAD) where he sits as member of the Board. He is a past Board member of the Canadian Restorative Justice Consortium (CRJC).
He presently works for Restorative Resolutions, providing Restorative Practices training and coaching to schools across Canada, and can be heard in the weekly Podcast “Circle Forum” discussing aspects of Restorative Justice and leadership in schools and broader society. He is the author of The Restorative Principal: Leading in Education with Restorative Practices, describing his personal journey in learning about, and implementing, Restorative Practices in schools.

Live Fee: 

Under $5,000

Virtual Fee:

$3,001 – $5,000

Flies from:

Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Inquire About This Speaker

Suggested Keynotes

Leading in Education: A Restorative Approach

This session explores “Restorative Leadership” in education, emphasizing communication, trust, and relationship-building. Leaders will gain strategies to foster a positive school culture, enhance decision-making, and support student success. Attendees will leave with practical tools to create inclusive, caring learning environments through these restorative Practices. Ideal for teachers, principals, and superintendents.

Effective leadership in education hinges on communication, collaboration, and a clear focus on the well-being and success of students.

This session will focus on Restorative leadership – a leadership approach grounded in restorative practices.  All leadership roles – teacher, principal, superintendent – carries its own unique challenges but also opportunities to make a profound impact on students, teachers, and the community as a whole. Each must balance administrative duties, foster a positive school culture, support others, and ensure students’ safety and success. A focus on communication strategies grounded in a restorative ethos can be incredibly impactful in creating a positive learning environment. This approach emphasizes building relationships, fostering mutual respect, and maintaining open, empathetic dialogue, all of which are essential for developing a supportive, inclusive, and effective educational space.

Who should attend?

  • Principals/Administrators seeking to build an impactful, sustainable learning environment,
  • Teachers seeking to build a positive, caring classroom learning environment,
  • Superintendents seeking a fair decision-making process and positive community interactions and support

Key Takeaways:

  • Proven strategies to build trust and rapport, foster positive relationships as a basis for educational growth, and develop communication skills grounded in an ethos of Restorative Practices,
  • Insights into communication approaches that clarify intentions and contribute to positive relationship growth,
  • Actionable tools and strategies to begin building a positive school climate tomorrow!

 

This engaging session will empower leaders to adapt to changes in education policy, technology, and societal needs while fostering a positive, caring environment of continuous growth for both students and staff grounded in the development of positive relationships through the use of Restorative Practices.

It’s All About the Relationships: Finding Joy in Leadership

This session helps school leaders manage stress, reconnect with their purpose, and foster meaningful relationships through Restorative Practices. Learn practical tools like the “2×10 strategy” and courageous conversations to build connections, navigate challenges, and create a collaborative school culture. Leave with strategies to lead with confidence, joy, and purpose while aligning daily actions with core values. Ideal for principals, school leaders, and educators seeking a resilient, thriving educational environment.

Transform the stress of school leadership into an opportunity to reconnect with your purpose and foster meaningful relationships.

This session offers school leaders a transformative approach to navigating the complexities of their role with renewed energy and confidence. With endless tasks, responsibilities, and emotional demands, it’s easy for principals to feel overwhelmed and disconnected from their passion. But what if these challenges could be turned into opportunities for growth and joy?

Grounded in restorative practices, this keynote provides a roadmap for building stronger relationships, managing stress, and reigniting your passion for school leadership. Learn practical tools, including the 2 x 10 connection strategy and courageous conversations, to reduce stress and foster a healthier, more collaborative school culture. Rediscover your “why” and align your daily actions with your core values and goals, creating a work environment where everyone thrives.

Who should attend?

  • Principals seeking to reduce stress and foster stronger relationships with staff and parents.
  • School leaders looking to reconnect with their purpose and thrive in their role.
  • Educators striving to build a supportive and collaborative school culture.

Key Takeaways:

  • Proven strategies to build meaningful connections with staff, parents, and students.
  • Practical tools to navigate difficult conversations with confidence and empathy.
  • Insights on aligning daily tasks with professional “why” and core values.
  • Actionable steps to create a healthier, more resilient school environment for everyone.

 

Lead with renewed energy, purpose, and the tools to transform your school into a thriving, supportive community. This presentation will help you refocus on what matters most—relationships—so you can lead your school community with confidence, joy, and purpose.

Talking WITH Parents: Addressing Parental Concerns in Conflict Situations

This keynote helps principals and educators transform difficult parent interactions into opportunities for trust and collaboration. Using restorative practices, attendees will learn strategies to reduce tension, build alignment, and foster mutual respect. Through real-world examples, gain tools for active listening, conflict resolution, and proactive communication to create a supportive school culture. Walk away with actionable techniques to navigate tough conversations with confidence, empathy, and professionalism, strengthening school-community relationships.

Navigating challenging conversations with parents doesn’t have to be a stressful —it can be an opportunity to build stronger partnerships. By employing restorative practices and focusing on mutual respect, educators can transform conflicts into moments of growth and connection.

In this keynote, principals will learn actionable strategies to reduce tension, create alignment, and foster a culture of respect within their school communities. Through real-world examples and proven techniques, you’ll be empowered to approach difficult situations with confidence, maintaining a focus on student outcomes. This session will show you how proactive communication and relationship-building can reduce stress, save valuable time, and create lasting solutions.

Working with Parents in Difficult Situations: Building Bridges, Reducing Stress

Learn how to turn difficult parent interactions into opportunities for trust and collaboration. In this session, you’ll discover practical strategies for building relationships and finding common ground with parents—even in the most challenging circumstances. With insights from restorative practices and proven techniques, this keynote will provide you with the tools to strengthen relationships and resolve conflicts with empathy and confidence.

Who Should Attend:

  • Principals and school leaders who want to build stronger relationships with parents.
  • Educators dealing with recurring conflicts or misunderstandings with families.
  • School leaders seeking to create a culture of mutual respect and trust within their school community.

Key Takeaways:

  • A deep understanding of how active listening can de-escalate tensions and build trust.
  • Practical tools for managing emotions and maintaining professionalism during challenging interactions.
  • Proven strategies for finding common ground and creating win-win solutions with parents.
  • Insights into how proactive relationship-building can prevent future conflicts and foster a supportive school environment.

 

This dynamic presentation will leave you feeling empowered and equipped with actionable strategies to handle even the toughest parent conversations with empathy, confidence, and clarity. By turning challenges into opportunities, you will help create a school culture where every voice is valued, and every relationship is nurtured.

About Stephen Young

Steve is a retired Elementary teacher and Principal with 35 years of service. He has Bachelors (McMaster University) and Masters (University of New Brunswick) Degrees in Physical Education, a Bachelor of Education (University of Toronto) and a Masters in Restorative Practice (International Institute for Restorative Practices (IIRP) Graduate School). He also holds Ontario Education Principal and Supervisory Officer qualifications.

Steve has been involved in the use of Restorative Practices in schools for more than 20 years. Working with the York Region District school Board, Steve championed and lead the Board’s Restorative Practices initiative for many years, as well as sitting on the Board’s Safe Schools Committee.

He also worked within the Youth Justice court system, facilitating conferences as part of the Youth Justice Act. He is a member of FaithCare, sitting on the steering committee and providing restorative services to faith communities. Steve is a certified trainer with the IIRP in Formal Conferences, Circles, and Restorative Frameworks. He presently sits as a Trustee on the IIRP Board of Trustees. Steve is a certified Community Mediator and Restorative Justice trainer with Community Justice Alternatives of Durham Region (CJAD) where he sits as member of the Board. He is a past Board member of the Canadian Restorative Justice Consortium (CRJC).
He presently works for Restorative Resolutions, providing Restorative Practices training and coaching to schools across Canada, and can be heard in the weekly Podcast “Circle Forum” discussing aspects of Restorative Justice and leadership in schools and broader society. He is the author of The Restorative Principal: Leading in Education with Restorative Practices, describing his personal journey in learning about, and implementing, Restorative Practices in schools.

Questions? Contact us anytime:

(800) 278-8706 ext. 711 

WKeller@KellerMedia.com
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