Resume In Brief to advertise your event:
*2008 Inductee National Teachers
Hall of Fame
*Teacher of the Year from two different public school districts: Buffalo, NY (1980's) & Broward County Schools (USA's 6th largest school district) in 2007.
*Written four books, including: best-seller Skullcaps 'N Switchblades; Sharing Turf - made into the "Crown Heights" movie, starring Howie Mandel as Dr. Laz; latest book - We're All Special... Needs! Manual for educators & parents.
*Dr. Laz & The CURE, his multi-ethnic music band, has performed for: the US Congress; halftime for the NY Knicks & Miami Heat; opened for Al Green, the Winans, & the Manhattans. His eclectic band plays it all - rock, rap, reggae, jazz, gospel, Hassidic, blues, bluegrass & more!
*His work in race relations & special needs has been featured on many TV specials, incuding ESPN, CNN, Montel Williams Show, USA Network, Donahue, & more.
Need a bit more details? Here ya go...
David Lazerson, PhD, aka
– Dr. Laz, has been educating,
inspiring and changing people’s lives for over
30 years as an author, musician, teacher, and a conflict
resolution specialist. Dr. Laz is recognized worldwide
for his innovative and educational techniques in learning.
He has been featured on many national and international
TV specials, such as CNN, ESPN, The USA Network, The
Montel Williams Show, and The Phil Donahue Show. He
has also been written up in most major newspapers
and magazines throughout the country. His latest book,
Sharing Turf, was recently turned into the Showtime
movie, Crown Heights, which starred Howie Mandel as
Dr. Laz and chronicled his miraculous race relations
efforts during the Crown Heights Race Riots in 1991.
"Crown Heights" is available at NetFlix
& Blockbusters. As a featured guest speaker at
major conventions and book fairs throughout the globe,
his lectures have been referred to as exciting, meaningful,
entertaining, and thought-provoking.
Race Relations
Specialist
Just weeks after the Crown Heights
race riots in 1991, Dr. Laz was selected by the Mayor
of New York to be the liaison from the orthodox &
Hassidic community to work alongside leaders from the
African-American community. He was selected because
of his already significant accomplishments breaking
down stereotypes and barriers within this community.
He and his counterparts created Project CURE - a racial
harmony group, and what they were able to accomplish
was nothing short of extraordinary. Starting with “dialogues
for understanding,” Project CURE soon grew into
a major force for positive change on a local and global
level. Under Dr. Laz’s leadership, CURE got the
NY Knicks to dedicate one night a year to racial harmony
and his racially mixed CURE basketball team played during
halftime for several years. CURE has won nearly every
major civic award, including the Mother Hale award,
the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Fulfilling the Dream
award, the NY Foundation Peace award, and the John Lindsay
award.
Musician
Dr. Laz has entertained hundreds
of audiences throughout the world, from the very young
to the young at heart. His concerts are fun, upbeat,
filled with spontaneity and audience participation.
His music features an eclectic blend of rap, rock, Hassidic,
blues, reggae, jazz, bluegrass and even gospel! Dr.
Laz & The CURE, his multi-ethnic music group, has
played with Al Green, The Winans, in front of the U.S.
Congress, the Democratic National Convention, at Madison
Square Garden, as well as numerous schools, universities
and institutions across the country. Showtime used three
of his original songs for the Crown Heights movie.
Educator
Dr. Laz is a world famous educator,
winning the 2007 Arts Teacher of the Year award for
the Broward County Public Schools (nation's 5th largest
district) and the Teacher of the Year award from NY
State in 1981 for his rather unorthodox, yet highly
acclaimed techniques for reaching students with special
needs. Earning a PhD in Educational Research & Evaluation,
a master’s degree in learning & behavioral
disorders, and two undergraduate degrees, including
a Bachelor of Divinity, and more than 27 years in both
private & public education – as both an administrator
and teacher, he’s done it all! He has directed
his own alternative high school program and currently
teaches graduate level courses in research. His ideas
and methods have been published in the NY Times and
many major journals including the Journal of Learning
Disabilities and the Journal of Emotional & Behavioral
Disorders. In 2008 Dr. Laz was one of five teachers
throughout the entire USA ot be inducted into the National
Teachers Hall of Fame.
His current work, which
utilizes experiential music for Down-Syndrome and Autistic
students, has already made front page news and been
featured on news stations such as NBC and WB. He has
also formed a unique choir of these students and travels
to senior centers and other schools, inspiring and enlightening
audiences of all ages. Most recently, he is conducting
a cutting-edge research study that focuses on the use
of humor and hands-on music for students with profound
special needs. The study is leading to dramatic results
in helping these individuals build self-esteem and positive
social skills, as well as increasing their awareness/participatory
behaviors.
Author
Dr. Laz has written four books:
Sharing Turf, Ammunition: Battling the Elements, and
the best-seller Skullcaps ‘N Switchblades –
which chronicles his teaching years in an all-Black,
inner-city school in Buffalo, NY, where he subsequently
won “Teacher of the Year” for his outstanding
work with his special education class. Skullcaps and
Switchblades is now under consideration for a major
motion picture and has been called “a fun &
inspiring read,” and “one that sets Black/Jewish
relations on the right path.”
Dr. Laz's new book: TEACH ME IF YOU CAN! - What really works for the child with special needs. Released in the summer of 2012, this monumental book features a practical & exciting guide for parents & professionals working in the field of special education. Expressive arts, hands-on experiential music, black light medium, peer interactive learning, assistive technology, getting along with the school administration, & more! Book is 372 pages and includes over 15 pictures in this awesome survival guide for parents, students, & teachers.
Dr. Laz is now available for speaking and performing
engagements.
For additional information, check out the CONTACT section
of this site.
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