Speaking - Dr. Suzanne Simpson

Presentations that Inspire Connection

KEYNOTES

Inspiring Connection and Transformation

I bring the power of human connection to every keynote, blending cutting-edge mental health research, storytelling finesse, and real-world experience to spark meaning, wellness, and change. My talks engage and inspire educators, parents, and organizations to reconnect… to stop fixing and start belonging. Each keynote is tailored to your audience, honoring challenges and spurring compassion, resilience, and action. Let’s partner to build events where connection leads, insight resonates, and transformation takes root.

Workshops

Raising or teaching teens today can feel relentless, with academic pressure, social media, and rising anxiety pulling you in every direction. My workshops give you practical, research-backed tools you can use right away at home, in classrooms, and in your community. Drawing on three decades in education and my doctoral research, I’ll show you how to build trust and emotional safety, respond to anxiety or defiance with calm presence, listen in ways that open doors, and lead with connection. Sessions vary in length from partial to full days, and are offered as stand-alone workshops or as a series. Reach out to share your goals; I’ll tailor a session to your audience.

WORKSHOPS

For Parents

Raising children in today’s world isn’t easy. Between constant social pressure, rising anxiety, and the pull of screens, many parents feel disconnected from their kids and unsure how to help. My connection-based parenting workshops give you the tools to build trust, strengthen emotional safety, and support your child’s mental health, without relying on control or perfection. Rooted in my PhD research with adolescents in psychiatric crisis and 3 decades of teaching experience, these sessions offer real-life strategies to help you raise resilient, mentally strong kids who feel supported, understood and cared for.

WORKSHOPS

For Educators

Teaching today can feel overwhelming, with increasing behavioural challenges, student anxiety, and emotional fatigue in the classroom. My professional learning sessions give educators practical, research-backed tools to support student well-being, strengthen classroom connection, and respond to behaviour with calm authority. Drawing from three decades in education and my doctoral research with adolescents in crisis, I help educators understand what drives student behaviour, reduce chaos, and create emotionally safe classrooms where both teachers and students thrive.

Testimonials

Dr. Simpson has a clear understanding of the challenging realities in schools, and the need to create positive, safe connections with youths to nurture their learning and empower their personal development. I left wishing that more colleagues and the parent community could hear her speak.

This is an excellent workshop for educators because Dr. Simpson is a teacher herself who knows what “real” classrooms look like and comes with a realistic, pragmatic and humorous approach to some difficult content.

Dr. Suzanne Simpson provided an excellent presentation to my staff on her research findings about what vulnerable students need from educators in order to be successful. She is thoughtful, professional and engaging. We look forward to having her return to share more with our teams.

Suzanne’s session was a deeply transformative experience, with her wealth of knowledge and passion shining through every aspect of her presentation. The blend of research and real-world application made it one of the most valuable professional development experiences I’ve had.

Dr. Suzanne Simpson's research highlights for classroom teachers the importance of supporting student and teacher wellness and mental health; she shares concrete strategies to address the social /emotional needs of students and also ways of taking care of ourselves as educators at the same time.