Those Kids

Jonathan explores three ideas that changed his life and that all educators can adopt to support vulnerable and at risk learners. He provides concrete strategies to support teachers in building a positive learning identity when many students like him self believe they are “stupid, crazy, and lazy”; he outlines a strengths-based approach that gives teachers concrete ideas on how to scale students strengths and build contextualized learning pathways; and he explores the power of student-teacher connections and relationships as the foundation of transformative learning environments.

Dispatches from the Front lines of the Learning Revolution

Jonathan brings to life, and makes sense out of, the disruptive learning innovations that are rearing their heads everywhere. Classrooms are being “flipped” where teachers use technology to deliver content and invest their time in active learning; learning network coops are exploding; communities are being turned into classrooms; and college is being challenged as the sole gatekeeper to a successful adult life. Funny, real, and forward thinking, this presentation will inspire parents and teachers, not to reform schools, but to reimagine what education can be—to dare its potential, from the ground up

School Can Suck. After School Shouldn’t.

In this personal, humorous, and researched based talk, Jonathan explores the foundational principles of transformative out-of-school-time experiences that change kids’ lives. Far from arguing that after-school programs should “align” with the school day, Jonathan celebrates the unique pedagogy and values of the after-school programs and raises the provocative challenge that the traditional school day should be more like the best after-school programs.

The Only Normal People Are People You Don’t Know Very Well

This presentation draws on the best practices of inclusion to affirm, celebrate, and challenge the audience to recommit to inclusive education and communities. In this presentation, Jonathan looks at how inclusive leaning environments and communities believe that individuals don’t have disabilities but experience disabilities as about as a result of environmental constraints, have a deep commitment to disability as a form of human diversity, and have taken steps to include disability within a larger diversity and social justice and civil rights paradigm, and lastly have a strength-based, human-centered design approach to engaging and empowering opposed to pathologizing people with cognitive and physical differences. This presentation draws on cutting-edge research in inclusion and neurodiversity concrete examples of best practices from communities around the world and ultimately affirms and celebrates the inclusive movement as a fight for every person’s right to be different.

Don’t Eat The Marshmallow

In this talk, Jonathan brings to life this revolution and explores the concrete ways parents, professionals, and educators can build non-cognitive skills like resiliency perseverance, hope, and mindset.

“What is Wrong With Me? Nothing at All, I Understand at Last”

“At Risk in the Culture of ‘Normal’”

“He didn’t learn to read until 12. Then he graduated from an Ivy. Here’s his advice.”

“You Are Special! Now Stop Being Different”

Find Jonathan on Twitter and on his jonathanmooney

“Amazing!”

“I brought Jonathan to Louisiana to speak to every principal in the state because he has an important message, expertly delivered, that every educator should hear. Hands down he is one of the best speakers I’ve worked with!”

“Jonathan Mooney is a rare speaker—passionate, informed and interesting. His perspective on learning differences helps parents, educators and clinicians gain a new understanding of a child or teenager’s experiences. His suggestions, strategies and viewpoint can help schools become more useful and friendly for students with learning differences. Jonathan Mooney is a great friend to kids with learning differences.”

“Jonathan Mooney is a true, one-of-a-kind gem! He has graced the BOOST Conference stage twice and is a crowd favorite every single time. He is a topnotch speaker, entertaining, brilliant, and without a doubt, captures the voice of today’s youth. He has the rare ability to make the audience laugh, cry, think and feel deeply, and puts it all in perspective because everyone has a Jonathan Mooney in their classroom or program.”

Praise for The Short Bus

“Jonathan Mooney is an uplifting, rebellious voice who will strike a chord with anyone who has ever had a hard time marching in step in a culture of conformity. His book is not just about how Jon found personal success after growing up with severe learning differences (dyslexia and ADHD), it’s the story of his journey to accept himself by finding others labeled “disabled” or “not normal” who have survived and even triumphed. In person, in his amazing speeches around the country, Jonathan speaks with heart, spirit and energy, helping audiences re-imagine their lives. He does this same thing in his remarkable, magical book. Get on the short bus and fasten your seat belts. No matter who you are, you won’t be the same at the end of this ride.”

“Curious and compassionate, clearheaded and self-questioning, enlightened and illuminating, Jonathan Mooney takes us on a modern yet timeless odyssey. In his drive across America, he steers us past his own painful memories, through the history of disabilities, and into the lives of people who refuse to be oppressed. A long overdue tribute to our brothers and sisters on the short bus, and a desperately needed battle cry against the tyranny of normalcy.”

“Hop on board The Short Bus with Jonathan Mooney to experience a one of a kind ride. Purposefully taking readers far beyond the limits of ‘normalcy,’ he drives deep into the heart of human existence—asking us where do we truly stand in our acceptance of diversity? As the informative, insightful, and irreverent guide of the tour, Mooney bares his soul and his ass in equal measure. Passing through the unpredictable landscape, we encounter the often disarming beauty of human difference embodied in the everyday lives of (extra)ordinary people who—by their very existence—shatter the ideals of “mainstream” America. Ultimately, The Short Bus is a true celebration of survival and diversity.”