Book Dr. J Skates
Signature topics:
Be the Intervention — How one trusted adult can change a child's entire trajectory, and how to build a system of them across a whole school.
Belong. Thrive. Lead. — Why belonging has to come first, and what changes when school cultures get the order right.
From Survival to Surrender — My own journey from dropout to doctor, and what it teaches us about the students who are hardest to reach.
Trauma-Informed, Not Trauma-Centered — Practical, sustainable practices that support students impacted by ACEs without burning out the adults who serve them.
Formats: Conference keynotes · Full-day and half-day staff PD · Workshop series · Community and parent events
Call to action: Ready to bring this to your team? Contact Dr. J or call (612) 203-6080.
I deliver high-energy, story-driven keynotes and staff development that send educators back to their buildings with renewed heart and practical tools. Every talk is grounded in lived experience and doctoral research — and tailored to your community.
