Daphene Paxton

Speaking/Consultation Areas: Alternative Education, Grant Writing, Character Education, Curriculum Development

Presentation Style: Dynamic presentation delivered with personal conviction; ample use of humor and personal anecdotes.

Daphene Paxton served as the principal of Crossroads School, a choice-based alternative program in Eastanollee, Georgia, for 4 years until taking the Education Director position at Lee Arrendale State Prison in Alto, Georgia in 2000. An accomplished workshop presenter, Daphene draws from an extensive background in education including 30 years of teaching experience in special education, social studies, history and government, and adult education. She is also a prolific grant writer; grants she has authored that have been funded include School Improvement, Middle School Mentoring, Technology, Alternative Education, Charter Planning, and Outoor Classroom, along with many other funded grants for which she served as co-author or consultant. She has recently developed a detailed character education curriculum for public schools.

Daphene puts her classroom teaching experience to use daily in her work. She loves learning and cultivates personal respect for all among staff and learners. She also believes strongly in professional development; grants she has written in the past have allowed her entire teaching staff to attend off-campus workshops together. She holds a Specialist in Education degree from Clemson University and is currently working on her doctorate at the University of Georgia.

Your teachers will enjoy the stories and case examples Daphene shares from her up-to-date personal experience as an educator. Recent workshops she has conducted include sessions for the National Youth At-Risk Forum, Classroom Connect, and Teacher's Workshop.