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Dr. Zacharie Clements is a respected, much sought-after speaker who endured an orphaned, Depression Era childhood in an African-American and Italian ghetto. He has been through it all — poor performance at public schools, trouble with the law, and the constant lure of easy money from the rackets that flourished openly in his neighborhood. But Zacharie Clements' indomitable will to succeed was nourished by love and wisdom from his immigrant grandparents, and inspiration and help from his teachers, who started him on the road to respect for learning. As he proudly states, ”If it weren't for American public schools, I wouldn't be where I am today.“

He has earned Bachelor's and Master's degrees from the University of New York at Albany, and a second Master's and a Doctorate from the University of Buffalo.

A full professor at the University of Vermont for 13 years, Zacharie Clements has also taught intermediate through high school English, biology, history and reading. He is the author of two highly successful reading series. Eagerly embracing life, Zacharie Clements has also been a cook, lifeguard, camp director, football coach, laborer, truck driver, insurance salesman, U. S. Marine and a musician appearing on American Bandstand and The Ed Sullivan Show in 1960. As versatile in leisure, he enjoys cooking, jogging, golf and writing fiction. Proud parents and grandparents, Zach and his wife, Cynthia, recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary.

Much of the impact, emotion and honesty of Zacharie Clements' message is rooted in his inspiring upward journey from ghetto to public acclaim — energized by an avid hold on life, tempered by old-world values, and warmed by a teacher's love of people.

CORPORATE PRESENTATIONS:

The Bottom Line Begins With You
In his uniquely personable way, Zach helps everyone in your organization to realize that they have a tangible stake in the Bottom Line. His exhilarating, motivating and humorous message focuses on:

* The buck stops here!
* The debilitating effect of societal malaise — imagined burnout; retire-itis; the ”I’m Owed Happiness” syndrome.
* The A-B-Ps of Personal Responsibility: How Attitudes affect Behaviors which in turn determine Performance at home and on the job.
* The Four Cardinal Principles of maintaining positive attitudes for success.

The Beauty of Basics
What does it take to make an organization world-class instead of simply mediocre? Attention to basics: the foundation for business and personal success. This message, at once timely and timeless, explores:

* Why lofty-sounding goals like ”Soar with the Eagles“ or ”Go for the Gold“ can become just empty rhetoric.
* How contemporary living creates Negativity Knots.
* Untying those Negativity Knots to unleash a ”can-do“ attitude at home and in the workplace.
* The vital link between Personal Responsibility and success — for the individual, for the organization.

The Power of Change (Zach's newest program!)
Energizing his audience through insightful role-playing, humorously poignant anecdotes from real life situations Zach:

* allays veteran employees fears of change.
* simultaneously reassures and motivates veteran workers to perceive change as a positive force.
* provides his audience an understandable, positive framework in which to view change in a non-stressful manner.
* shares upbeat anecdotes reinforcing contemporary societal barriers to successfully embracing change.
* offers practical, real-life techniques for meeting the challenges of change.
* enables his audience to refocus their energies in a positive, useful direction at work and at play.

EDUCATION PROGRAMS:

Miracles Begin with You
Through humor, role playing and drama in this presentation recommended for his first visit to a district, Zach:

* explores hypocrisy in contemporary society and its impact on schools (“In-my-day” disease, Responsibility buck-passing syndrome, and more);
* portrays what‘s happening within schools (retire-itis, imagined burnout, educator buck passing);
* allows educators to assess their own attitudes without feeling threatened;
* leaves educators laughing at themselves, yet challenged to make a positive difference in students‘ lives;
* rejuvenates total staff audiences, both certified and support. ››

God Don’t Make No Junk!
Delivering a tonic for anyone who works with kids, Zach:

* takes the audience on a kindergarten journey, portraying the immense diversity of personalities among children;
* describes the injustices which often occur within the education system;
* asks the tough question, ”Whose responsibility is it?“;
* presents the basics of his Education Goals Student Model.

Pause for Reflection, Joy and Inspiration
In his uniquely personable way, Zach:

* salutes the unsung heroes in today's schools;
* playfully satirizes the “gurus” of education;
* underscores the relationship between professional and personal goals;
* concludes with his famous “grandfather story,” which offers a poignant philosophy of life;
* renews the joy of teaching.

The A-B-Ps of Education Leadership
Taking the superintendent/principal/education leader audience on an emotional rollercoaster, Zach:

* provides insights on how positive Attitudes affect Behaviors which, in turn, affect Performance;
* brings perspective to the public’s changing attitudes about schools;
* retains focus on education’s most critical resource: people;
* celebrates the power of focusing on what’s right with schools;
* illustrates the positive aspects of change and uncertainty;
* rejuvenates the audience and challenges them to become role models for positive schools.

The Power of Change (Zach's newest program!)
Addressing the fears and concerns of educators surrounding the unsettling changes sweeping contemporary education, Zach:

* allays veteran educator’s fears of change.
* provides his audience an understandable, positive framework in which to view change in a positive, non-stressful manner.
* shares upbeat anecdotes which reinforce how to successfully embrace change.
* offers practical, real-life techniques for meeting the challenges of change.
* enables his audience to refocus their energies in a positive, useful direction at school and at home.