Tal Thompson

Nationally Recognized Educator; America’s Top Teacher Finalist on Live with Kelly and Michael.

At 6’8”, Tal Thompson, or Tall Tal, is a fifth grade teacher in Columbia, SC. Tal began his teaching career in 1998 in Michigan. Through the years, he taught in Michigan, Illinois, Colorado and now South Carolina. He is the proud father of two amazing boys and has been married to his best friend, Ann, for 16 years. As a “military brat,” Tal grew up living in many different places. He was born in Wiesbaden, Germany, and has lived in numerous states around the U.S. prior to graduating high school.

Working with kids and being an educator has always been Tal’s passion. He received his elementary education degree from West Virginia Wesleyan College in 1997. Later, he received his master’s in mathematics from Walden University. In 2015, Live with Kelly and Michael chose Tal as a Top 4 Finalist for America’s Top Teacher. He also became a National Board Certified Teacher that year. In 2016, he received the South Carolina Citizen Education Elementary Teacher of the Year Award.

Tal’s success derives from his ability to connect, push and cultivate confidence within his students. He takes the lessons learned working with children and translates them in a way that will inspire positive and productive changes in people of all ages. Tal’s message starts with the powerful shifts that occur as the emphasis is put on cultivating confidence within an organization. False confidence destroys innovation and growth. Instilling earned and real confidence is the key to productivity and success. The real world needs people that can collaborate effectively with their peers, have the passion and desire to creatively solve problems, critically think through the most complex situations and effectively communicate with each other. The real world needs people with…CONFIDENCE…EARNED CONFIDENCE! Without earned confidence, people cannot effectively do any of these things.

As a speaker, Tal will ignite and unleash the potential in children and adults alike. Participants leave inspired to produce change, upgrade their level of production and aid others in reaching their true potential greatness.

An inspiring and innovative educator, Tal conducts workshops and seminars around the country to help teachers, schools and school districts raise their game to truly inspire and motivate today’s youth. He stresses the power of connection, collaboration and confidence building as tools to achieve higher expectations and results.