A man in a suit and white shirt giving a presentation on a stage with a colorful pink and purple background.

About

For three decades, Jon has learned from students, colleagues, family, research, risks, successes, and failure. His students have ranged in age from 9 to 65.

At the U.S. Department of Education in both the Bush and Obama administrations, he worked on teaching quality issues. This grew from his doctoral work at Vanderbilt University, and his desire to elevate and advance the profession that makes all others possible. Now he works with leaders around the world to improve policy and practice.

​At Baylor University, he catalyzes sustainable leadership of incredibles educators through the School of Education and as Executive Director of the Baylor Center for School Leadership.

Resume/CV
Resume/CV
Speaker Sessions
Speaker Sessions

Podcast

Jon talks with experts about what is working in schools around the world. Joy is everywhere in homes and in the profession that makes all others possible.

Green background with the words "joy over happiness" in yellow text, with "over" in smaller letters between two lines.

Contact

For speaking, consulting, or workshops

Please email at jonathan.m.eckert@gmail.com or complete the form below if you have thoughts, questions, or would like to discuss consulting or professional learning opportunities.

A man in a brown plaid blazer giving a presentation on stage with a microphone headset
A man in a brown plaid blazer giving a presentation on stage with a microphone headset
Four people hiking on a red rock trail in a canyon, with a large red and orange layered cliff in the background under a partly cloudy sky.
“Chasing what feels easy is a human instinct—but it’s only when young people embrace challenges that they become stronger versions of themselves and lead more joyful, meaningful lives.”
— Jonathan Eckert

Previous Books

Book cover titled "Leading Together: Teachers and Administrators Improving Student Outcomes" by Jonathan Eckert with a foreword by Barnett Berry. The background features floating lanterns illuminating the night sky.
Book cover titled "Leading Together: Teachers and Administrators Improving Student Outcomes" by Jonathan Eckert with a foreword by Barnett Berry. The background features floating lanterns illuminating the night sky.

‘Leading Together is the best guidance we have to date about how to collaboratively dismantle the wall that has stood between teachers and school administrators for over a century….in which collective leadership is discovered through the eyes and voices of teachers and principals."

​- Joe Murphy, Vanderbilt University

Three children jumping into a lake from a wooden dock during daytime, with green trees and houses in the background.
Three children jumping into a lake from a wooden dock during daytime, with green trees and houses in the background.

"This is not filled with quick tips or rote formulas, but rather with thoughtful, useful advice anchored in the reality of teaching in America today. Most of all, it is genuine encouragement, reminding us that teaching is a calling that requires systematic preparation, demands significant sacrifice, but yields eternal rewards."

--Renee Moore, @TeachMoore, NBCT, blogger, author

Cover of a book titled "Just Teaching" by Jonathan Eckert. The cover features a glass jar with three large stones inside, set against a solid blue background. The title is in large white and blue text at the top, with a subtitle about feedback, engagement, and well-being for students, and the author's name at the bottom. Small pebbles are around the jar.
Cover of a book titled "Just Teaching" by Jonathan Eckert. The cover features a glass jar with three large stones inside, set against a solid blue background. The title is in large white and blue text at the top, with a subtitle about feedback, engagement, and well-being for students, and the author's name at the bottom. Small pebbles are around the jar.

"What a great book--for those beginning their training and for the in induction programs, as well as all those already in the classroom. Eckert reminds us of the power, complexity, simplicity, and joys of teaching. He asks us to savor the time as teachers, and make the experience meaningful to you, your students, and your colleagues. And he backs this up with so many ways of thinking and doing that remind us daily of why we all entered the profession: to maximize our impact on others."

-John Hattie, Visible Learning series