Full 2
"What a
POWERFUL
force for good!"
Full 2
"What a
POWERFUL
force for good!"

"Tal Thompson is an exceptional speaker. He weaves a natural ease with a powerful message that leaves his audience reflective and eager to move forward at the same time. As the director of a large professional development program in a 20,000+ size school district, I have observed Tal's presentations in front of 200 district leaders and more intimate school-based audiences alike. His evaluations were consistently outstanding, but even more impressive was the resolve and passion to improve our classrooms that he instilled through his interactions with our staff. Tal Thompson is inspiring and delightful."

— Melissa Mollen - Principal and Director of Federal Aid Programs

 

“Tal Thompson's passion for making a difference in the classroom is so evident in his presentation. In his presentation to my pre-service Teaching Fellows, he inspired them to be innovative, courageous and passionate teachers. His message was so powerful that many of them made reference to his presentation many months later as they began their student teaching experiences and how it inspired them to be their best in their own classrooms. When Tal speaks to a group, attendees can expect to be energized by his ideas, passion and obvious care for making a difference in education. He challenges everyone to be teacher leaders.”

— Kimberly Smoak, University of South Carolina, Campus Director of Teaching Fellows

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Tal Thompson, a Lake Carolina Elementary Upper Campus teacher, chats with one of his students after class, Monday, April 27, 2015. He is one of four finalists for Top Teacher 2015, a national search that was conducted by LIVE with Kelly and Michael television show.

“In short, he changes kids’ lives every year and kids come out of his classroom as not only better students, but better humans in society.”

 

“His enthusiasm and love for what he does brought an incredible combination of learning & fun to the classroom.”

"He inspires change and engages the audience."

"He reignites your passion for education."

"He inspires each student to aspire to a higher level."

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"It’s very rare to find a teacher as passionate and dedicated to the education profession as Tal Thompson. His enthusiasm lights up the room when he speaks about what needs to be done to better our education system, our classrooms as well as how teachers can be that change. Tal is truly an inspiration to others and inspires me to be the best teacher I can be! You won’t want to pass on the chance to hear him speak!"

Audience member - Lauren Hutton

Tall Tal was fantastic! He is very inspiring, energetic, and enthusiastic about his work. I needed refueled, and this session definitely helped! Making memorable moments with the kids is so important, and he reinforced that thinking in this training. I look forward to the next training with Tall Tal!!!!

"I felt very relaxed and comfortable. This was a workshop that energized me to try new things and new approaches in my Special Education classroom. He made me think 'outside' of the box after 30+ years teaching!"

"I just love working with such a bright, enthusiastic, innovative educator who is so passionate about his art. He has been my inspiration this year."

Stephanie Paige, Teacher and Colleague

"Tal Thompson stands out in the crowd, both literally and figuratively. He's nearly seven feet tall, has a loud, booming voice, and wears bright ties, loud socks and colorful tennis shoes. But his big presence isn't just for show; it matches his big passion for teaching kids… He sees each student as having the potential to do great things if they learn to work hard, take on new challenges, think creatively and take their responsibilities seriously. He doesn't teach to the middle, instead he inspires each student to aspire to a higher level of learning…"

— Shelly Cadena, Former Class Parent

Excited plea

“Even though he loves to have fun, he also means business. He loves to inspire us and other people, but also looks up to other people too. He has impacted me by showing me important life lessons. He teaches us to be very respectful and expects a lot from us every day. He makes going to school and learning fun and very exciting!”

— Jacob Hatchell, Former Student

 

"He also wants us to learn about the world outside, not just the things we need to know for our tests.”

— Carolina Cadena, Former Student

 
“Mr. Thompson has exceeded all our expectations with his engagement and creativity.”

“He challenges every child to go beyond what they think they can do and somehow, with 44 kids, he manages to do that for each child," said parent Shelley Cadena.

 
"He has taken a room of 40+ girls and boys and taught them the basic curriculum of the 4th grade, and far more importantly, he has groomed them into young ladies and gentleman of confidence, courage, and independence. Tal Thompson is a giant in stature, creativity, and in the lives a dozens of our future leaders."

— Susie Watts, Class Parent

 
"He's fantastic. He really is," said parent Andrea Berry. "He pours himself into teaching. Teaching is a hard, hard job. And he pours his whole self into it."