David Flood

This inspiring keynote explores what happens when educators truly “show up.”

David Flood draws on his personal journey as a father of a child with autism, a 30-year recovery advocate, and a speaker trusted by hundreds of schools. Through stories that are equal parts moving and practical, David challenges staff to see themselves not just as instructors, but as daily lifelines for the students who need them most. His message affirms the extraordinary impact of ordinary actions and reignites the heart behind the work.

Learning Outcomes:

• Recognize how consistency, compassion, and presence build student trust and emotional safety

• Understand how trauma, loneliness, and disruptive behavior can be signals—not defiance—and how to respond with empathy

• Learn practical strategies to make every student feel seen, heard, and valued—especially those often overlooked

• Discover how to shift campus culture through micro-moments of kindness and connection

• Reclaim purpose and morale by focusing on mission, not metrics

• Leave reminded that the smallest gestures often make the biggest difference

In this powerful and relatable keynote, David Flood uses storytelling, humor, and personal experience—including his journey as a father to a son with autism—to help students reimagine what it means to belong. His message challenges students to look past appearances, stop judging, and start connecting. The result is a more compassionate campus culture where empathy isn’t just a buzzword—it’s a daily practice.

Learning Outcomes:

• Recognize how cliques, labels, and stereotypes contribute to isolation

• Understand the emotional weight of loneliness—and how empathy offers relief

• Learn how to show up for others, even when it’s uncomfortable or inconvenient

• Accept responsibility for the way we treat people—online and in person

• Identify small daily actions that create a culture of connection and care

• Embrace the message that everyone matters—and no one is meant to eat alone

David Flood’s story isn’t a scare tactic—it’s a powerful message of resilience and redemption. With 30 years of sobriety, David vulnerably shares his journey through addiction and recovery to help students understand the real impact of their choices. This keynote goes beyond drug and alcohol prevention to address the deeper issues of identity, emotional pain, and how to make decisions that build—not break—your future.

Learning Outcomes:

• Understand the emotional and generational roots of addiction and risky behavior

• Learn the difference between numbing pain and healing it in healthy ways

• Recognize the power of daily decisions to shape long-term identity and outcomes

• Gain practical tools to cope with stress, peer pressure, and emotional triggers

• Hear how vulnerability, accountability, and honesty fuel real recovery

• Leave with hope that your future isn’t defined by your past—it’s defined by what you do next