Mark Henderson

Bringing clarity, engagement, and a little sanity to the future of learning.

I partner with districts, faculty, and leadership teams to turn complex challenges like AI, assessment, and staff engagement into clear, practical, and surprisingly enjoyable conversations.

About My Approach

My philosophy is simple: keep it grounded, keep it practical, and keep it human. (A well-timed joke about faculty meetings doesn't hurt, either.)Education is going through a massive period of transition right now. Institutions don't need another lecture from an ivory tower or a high-energy sales pitch. They need practical strategies, space to reflect, and a partner who understands what it feels like to stand in front of a classroom.I don't pretend to have a magic wand for every challenge in education. But I do bring field-tested frameworks, a deep respect for educators, and a commitment to making sure everyone leaves my sessions with actionable ideas, and feeling a little lighter about the work ahead.

Selected Speaking Highlights

I’ve delivered keynotes, interactive workshops, and breakout sessions across 14 states, helping K–12 districts and higher education institutions navigate rapid technological change with common sense and clarity.

Consortium of State School Boards Associations (COSSBA) National Conferences — Dallas, Atlanta, Louisville
PBS K-12 Technology Conference (Keynote) — Kansas City
Illinois Education Joint Annual Conference — Chicago
Hancock Place AI Summit (Keynote) — St. Louis
Quality Matters Member Conference — Virtual

Core Presentation Topics

AI With Common SenseGrounded frameworks for literacy, assessment redesign (Assignment Makeover), ethics, deepfakes, and student well-being.

Change Management & CultureGuiding K-12 districts and campus leaders through big shifts, policy overhauls, and institutional friction without burning people out.

Engaging Training & PedagogyReplacing boring, compliance-driven sessions with hands-on, human-centered workshops that educators actually enjoy attending.

View My Speaker Overview

A Quick Look at How I Work

I know booking a speaker is an investment, and you want to ensure the tone fits your campus or district culture. Here are a few examples to give you a sense of how I connect with an audience.

Interested in booking Mark for a presentation, workshop, or speaking engagement? Please reach out via any of the contact links above with your event details. You'll receive a response within 48 hours.

Testimonials

"Our teachers truly connect with Mark and the excitement was evident during his keynote and sessions at the Hancock Place Educator AI Summit. He has a way of making a topic as big and fast-moving as AI feel approachable and relevant, all while never losing sight of what it actually means for teachers and students. Our teachers hang on his every word and always leave wanting more time to learn from and work with him." - Lauren Wiegand, Event Coordinator

Let's Connect

If you’re organizing a campus summit, a district kickoff, or a conference and think my approach would be a good fit for your community, I’d love to learn more about what you're planning. Drop me a line with your tentative dates and the big questions your team is tackling right now.