Award-Winning Educator, Head of School & Chess Coach
Salome Thomas-El Biography
Dr. Salome Thomas-EL is the author of the best-selling books, "I Choose to Stay" (movie rights optioned by Disney Films), and "The Immortality of Influence," which stresses the importance of leadership, mentoring, parenting and service to others. He is also the co-author of 3 books on leadership and teacher retention. Dr. EL’s newest book, “Meet Their Needs, and They’ll Succeed," was released in April 2025. He speaks to groups around the country and appeared on C-SPAN, CNN, and NPR Radio.
Principal EL has studied school leadership abroad in England and at Lehigh University in Pennsylvania. He holds a doctorate in Education Leadership from Wilmington University in Delaware. He has received the Marcus A. Foster Award as the outstanding School District Administrator in Philadelphia and the University of Pennsylvania’s distinguished Martin Luther King Award. Reader’s Digest Magazine recognized Principal EL as an “Inspiring American Icon.” Dr. EL was featured on Good Morning America and appeared on the Oprah Radio Network.
Principal EL lives in Pennsylvania with his family and has been a teacher and principal since 1987. He is currently a K-8 principal in Wilmington, DE and received national acclaim as a teacher and chess coach at Vaux Middle School in Philadelphia, where his students have gone on to win world recognition as Eight-Time National Chess Champions.
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Salome Thomas-El Speaking Topics
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4Cs of School Success
In this thought-provoking session, Principal EL shares how we can positively change our school cultures by empowering our educators and school leaders to focus on the protective processes that build resilience in every child. Principal EL unpacks this vision for change with the “4Cs of School Success:” being Crazy about students, Curious about their lives outside of school, Consistent as adults in their lives, and driven to foster a Culture that is grounded in joy, learning and resilience. Join this keynote session to better understand the power of adult-child relationships in schools and celebrate the impact we can make when we leverage our roles as learners and leaders, and Choose to Stay!
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I Choose to Stay
Thomas-EL is the author of I Choose to Stay: A Black Teacher Refuses to Desert the Inner City
• an intensely moving story of loyalty and courage and a deeply personal tribute to the great potential of inner-city kids. In 1997, as a teacher at Roberts Vaux Middle School in Philadelphia's inner city, he was offered a promotion, not only because he had helped to improve scholastics, morale, and discipline at his school, but because he had taught children to play chess—and win local and national competitions . He turned down the promotion. He was committed to stay and be the role model those children needed. Armed with a chess board and a profound belief in their potential, Thomas-EL's faith and commitment has motivated hundreds of children in Philadelphia to attend magnet high schools and major colleges and universities. His story proves that teaching in the public schools can result in excellence and success for children most of society has abandoned. Reflecting on how it feels to see a young person he has mentored walk down the aisle toward a real future instead of to an early grave, Thomas-EL has said: "I've been to too many funerals; I need to go to more graduations."
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Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Salome Thomas-El for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment since 2002. Click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page to check availability for Salome Thomas-El, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for Salome Thomas-El or any other speaker of your choice. -
What are the speaker fees for Salome Thomas-El
Speaking fees for Salome Thomas-El, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book Salome Thomas-El are under $10,000 for live events and under $10,000 for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire Salome Thomas-El, click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent. -
What topics does Salome Thomas-El speak about?
Salome Thomas-El is a keynote speaker and industry expert whose speaking topics include Author, Black Heritage, Education, Education Reform, Educational Motivational, Family & Parenting, Personal Growth -
Where does Salome Thomas-El travel from?
Salome Thomas-El generally travels from Wilmington, DE, USA, but can be booked for private corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. For more details, please contact an AAE Booking agent. -
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Salome Thomas-El is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as 4Cs of School Success, I Choose to Stay and The Immortality of Influence. The estimated speaking fee range to book Salome Thomas-El for your event is available upon request. Salome Thomas-El generally travels from Wilmington, DE, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Kim Geddie, Rodney Robinson, Jon Bergmann, Baruti K. Kafele and Willard Daggett, Ed.D.. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Salome Thomas-El for an upcoming live or virtual event.
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