Passionate About Inspiring Others

Would your event benefit from a speaker who shares insights gained in overcoming the challenges of:

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-teaching 15 years in public schools?

-being a parent to a child with autism and an intellectual disability?

-dealing with disappointment and underachievement?

-addressing mental health issues as an Army mental health specialist?

-finding purpose?

-being part of a culture change of 2 troubled at-risk education programs?

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Hello everyone!  Thank you for taking time to visit the website of Mr. Rodge's Neighborhood?  First off, I would like to share some information about myself. I am a former educator in San Antonio, TX, having worked in a variety of campacities and schools for over a decade.  Some of the positions I have held include special education teacher, general education science teacher, science instructional coach, academic instructional coach, administrative intern, and substitute assistant principal.  I have worked in leadership capacities with San Antonio ISD (instructional coach) and NEISD (administrative intern), which included conducting professional development.  I was also part of the leadership of the Power Scholars Academy, an acclaimed & academically rigorous summer program designed to prevent summer learning loss in at-risk students.  I also served in the US Army as a mental health NCO, which, in civilian lingo, is a counselor.  Lastly, I am a parent to my oldest daughter, who has been diagnosed with moderate to severe autism.  I can honestly say that parenting a child with special needs has so many "behind the scenes" challenges that many people, including educators, overlook.  I am compelled to share my insights about being parent to a special needs child with others in order to build awareness.

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I am also a published author.  The title of my series of books is Success Is A Process, Not An Event, which incorporates the concepts of the growth mindset, leadership, and resilience to facilitate reaching our maximum potential as teachers, leaders, and students.

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I have conducted presentations on a wide range of topics to students and faculties.  I have a particular fondness for speaking to millennial audiences; I feel society tends to undervalue their drive to positively impact their surroundings.  I also champion the issues related to the challenges parents of special needs children incur.  My personal and professional experiences have allowed me to gain some unique insights on a variety of topics that I believe can have a positive impact on the lives of many.

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If you are interested in Rodgers Speaks visiting your organization, click "Contact" in the menu above and fill out the required information.  You can also call (210) 651-2026 or email mr-rodge@successisaprocess.net.

Recent and Upcoming Appearances

• Nueces County Community Action Agency Head Start Training (Corpus Christi)

• San Mateo UHSD, San Mateo, CA (Bay Area)

• Alamo Regional TSA Leadership Conference

• UT Arlington Upward Bound Program (Arlington, TX)

• Brentwood Middle School, San Antonio, TX

• Central College Upward Bound Summer Program (Pella, IA)

• CASA (Child Advocates San Antonio) Training, San Antonio, TX

• Denton Ryan High School (Denton, TX)

• Coldwater MS (Coldwater, OH)

• St. Henry MS (St. Henry, OH)

• North Lake College TRiO Student Success Program (Irving, TX)

• Central Lakes College Upward Bound Program (Brainerd, MN)

• Whatcom College Upward Bound Program (Bellingham, WA)

• UTEP Upward Bound (El Paso, TX)

• NEISD Family Engagement Program (San Antonio, TX)

• Simpson College Upward Bound Program (Indianola, IA) 

• ​Binghamton University TRiO SSS Program (Binghamton, NY)

• Richard Stank MS (Binghamton, NY)

• Glendale MS (Salt Lake City, UT)

• Texarkana College TRiO SSS Program (Texarkana, TX)

• Cal State Monterey Bay

• Cuyahoga CC (OH)

• Abraham Baldwin College (GA)

• Georgia State University

• Rowan College South Jersey

• University of Central Arkansas

• Coastal Bend College Upward Bound Program (Beeville, TX)

• Region 16 SPED Conference (Amarillo, TX)

• Illinois Eastern Community College Summer Upward Bound Program (Olney, IL)

• Illinois College TRIO SSS Program (Jacksonville, IL)

• Metropolitan Community College Kansas City

• Northern Oklahoma College (Enid, OK)