Thom Stecher and Associates - Bios

Thom Stecher

Thom Stecher is a nationally-recognized motivational speaker and educational consultant.  He specializes in self-esteem, wellness, and student assistance programs.  Raised in a family of educators, Thom believes that education is a life-long process and that we all teach best what we most need to learn.  It is therefore imperative that we teach each other.

Thom has spent over 40 years educating and mentoring students, teachers, administrators and board members.  He is one of the original developers of the nationally-recognized and acclaimed Masonic Model Student Assistance Program and has expanded the model to developmentally appropriate programs at the elementary, middle, and high school levels.  The program is in use in over 30 states, and in Canada.

Thom's current passion is providing school board and administrative retreats and professional learning opportunities for K-12 staff.  The primary focus of this work is the integration of social emotional learning with academic achievement and helping school districts transform into Whole Child centered environments.  Thom believes that budgets and test scores must be subordinate to people.  Caring for students and staff must be our highest priority.  Connection, compassion, and courage are the future of education.              

e-mail: Thom@ThomStecher.com

Scott A. Heydt

Scott Heydt is the Founder and President of RefinED Character, an educational consulting company specializing in social emotional development for K-12, collegiate, and non-profit communities. Scott is an experienced educator with over 8 years in the classroom and 6 years as an educational consultant and graduate level collegiate instructor.

Trained in Responsive Classroom principles and committed to whole child education, Scott teaches graduate level courses through Neumann University, including courses in the Masters in Education with a Emphasis on Social Emotional Learning degree.

Scott is also a leader in the values based Greek movement. A former chapter consultant, he continues his volunteer service to Delta Tau Delta fraternity in his fifth term as International Director of Academic Affairs. He regularly serves as a facilitator at regional and national Greek conventions.

Scott earned a BA in Elementary Education and Psychology from Moravian College and an MA in Leadership & Liberal Studies from Duquesne University. He resides in Bucks County, PA with his wife, Monika.

e-mail: Scott@RefinedCharacter.com

Krista Leh

Krista spent the first ten years of her career enthusiastically working with high school students in a social studies classroom. For the next five years, she served as a Curriculum and Instructional Technology Coach supporting K-12 teachers across the district in Rigorous Curriculum Design. While with the district, Krista co-developed a student leadership organization which inspired her to focus on the cognitive and affective benefits of Social Emotional Learning.

In 2012, she was selected as one of twenty-six members nation-wide for the ASCD Emerging Leader class. In 2014, she became an ASCD Professional Services Faculty Member and in 2015, she was invited to join the inaugural class of ASCD Influence Leaders to delve into the realm of disseminating information on education policy.

She currently works nation-wide with school leaders, staff, and students on Social Emotional Learning as well as diversity, equity, and access. In addition to consulting, she is an adjunct professor for multiple Masters courses.

Krista graduated from the Pennsylvania State University with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Secondary Social Studies Education and earned a Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Kutztown University. She expects to earn a doctorate in Educational Leadership from Lehigh University in 2019.

e-mail: krista.e.leh@gmail.com

Jessie McFarland

Jessie McFarland earned her undergraduate degree in Biology and her Master’s Degree in Science Education. She worked as a Middle School educator for 13 years, and witnessed firsthand the stress and pressure that today’s children place on themselves both academically and emotionally. After going back to school to increase her awareness and understanding of the whole child, she earned her certification as an Integrative Nutrition Health Coach, a RYT Licensed Yoga Instructor, and a Mindfulness Educator.

As an Educational Consultant, Jessie created Wholesome Sprout with a mission of working with the whole child to create balance, joy, resilience, connection and nourishment. She has followed her passion to help bring these practices to schools and learners through Professional Development and her work as an Adjunct Professor.

e-mail: Jessie@ThomStecher.com