Equip.

Equip you with new tools, new ideas, new ways of thinking, and new friends!

Encourage.

Encourage you with fun, laughter, and relevant learning.

Empower.

Empower you to become a change agent in your school, district, and community.

Engage.

Engage with me at your school or event!
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Hi, I’m Mr. Dearybury!

Jed Dearybury began his education career in 2001. During his 13 year early childhood classroom tenure, Jed received numerous awards. He was featured in GQ Magazine as Male Leader of the Year, met President Obama as the South Carolina honoree of the Presidential Award for Excellence in Math and Science Teaching, and was named as a top 5 finalist for South Carolina Teacher of the Year because of his passion, love, and success in education. In 2016, he was also named the first ever Milken Fellow for the state of South Carolina. Since leaving the 2nd grade classroom in 2015 he has been leading professional development across the country, as well as training the next generation of educators through his work and teaching in Higher Ed. His courses include Children’s Literature, Creativity and Play for Early Childhood, Fine Arts in the Elementary Classroom, and Arts for Educational Advance. In August 2019, he started his own education consulting business, mrdearybury.com LLC, where he is the Director of Creativity. He published his first book, The Playful Classroom: The Power of Play for All Ages, co-written with Dr. Julie P. Jones, in June of 2020. His second book, Courageous Classroom, written with Dr. Janet Taylor was released in July 2021. Book number three, The Playful Life: The Power of Play in Our Everyday, released in October 2022. His mission: Equip, Encourage, Empower, and Engage the teaching profession using creativity, laughter, and hands-on fun!

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Mr. Dearybury In Action!

Where in the world is Mr. Dearybury?

Map of all the locations Mr. Dearybury has visited over his professional career.

Friends of Mr. Dearybury

  • “Jed is inspirational in the way that teachers nationwide have been waiting for. His heart has never left the classroom, and his messages are life-changing. I am better in this profession for having learned from him!”

    Amy McAllister South Carolina Teacher of the Year, 2013
  • “Awe inspiring for educators...funtastic academic professional development”

    Aaron Griffin Principal, Frenchtown School District, Montana
  • "Jed has consistently inspired the induction teachers, as well as high school Teacher Cadet students,  in Lexington-Richland Five with creative and engaging PD. The  session evaluations give him the highest praise, and he will always be my first choice for PD presentation. Jed presents with wit and charm, and his pace fills the time completely without overwhelming anyone. He is, in a nutshell, the best!"

    Carol Jackson LexRich5 Professional Development Facilitator
  • LOVED having you lead professional learning. We left refreshed, excited, and ready to try new ways to engage others.

    Holly Sullivan PAEMST Winner 2011, Lexington SC
  • "Jed’s presentations are both inspirational and practical. Whether his audience is 30 or 300, his ability to connect with audiences is one-of-a-kind. Our teachers consistently ask for us to bring him back for more! In addition, through his Destroy the Box Challenge, Jed has created virtual connections with classrooms that have far outlasted his short time with our teachers. Jed has my highest recommendation."

    Dr. Susan Drumm Chief Analytics Officer, Hamilton Southeastern Schools, Fishers, Indiana
  • "Teachers are overwhelmed with many tasks not relative to the needs of the students they serve. Teachers enter the profession from a desire to teach and change lives on a daily basis. Given current conditions, they need inspired and reminded of the love and passion that drew them to education. I have encountered only two speakers who managed to touch my heart and instantly renew that joy and excitement about teaching. One of those was Jed Dearybury. I highly recommend you take time to renew your inner educator with one of the best in the business."

    Paulette Megee Retired Educator