Spence Rogers, M.A. is the creator of the PEAK Teaching for Excellence Model™ and President of Peak Learning Systems. He is known internationally for his work in building high performance classrooms and learning environments; helping to make performance excellence for all kids a reality through enhanced student motivation; aligned curriculum; effective assessment; and research-supported, brain-compatible instruction. An award-winning instructor and staff-developer, Spence is consistently recognized for his abilities to make what he teaches theoretically sound and immensely practical while helping others to build on their strengths.

He began his career in education over 35 years ago in the Glendale Union High School District (Glendale, Arizona) serving as a high school math teacher, a math department chairperson, a curriculum coordinator, a staff-development resource teacher, a college instructor, and now as a consultant to schools, districts, boards, and states. He has worked with schools and districts across the United States and in many countries including Japan, Canada, Puerto Rico, Italy, Korea, Germany, Turkey, Guam, and Australia.  With his colleagues, Spence has authored six best-selling books that are highly praised for their practicality and adherence to research and best-known practices: Motivation & Learning, The High Performance Toolbox, Teaching and Training Techniques, Teaching Tips, Teaching Treasures, and 21 Building Blocks Critical to Leaving No Child Behind.

In addition to conducting PEAK institutes and staff-development workshops, Spence presents keynote addresses and breakout sessions at over a dozen major educational conferences each year.  



Becky Graf, M.A. is a Senior PEAK consultant, co-author, and workshop instructor. She is an award-winning secondary language arts teacher. As an educator in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, Becky taught high school language arts to students of all ability levels. She was instrumental in implementing and team-teaching an innovative “learning community” at her high school. Recognized by USA Today, this award winning, integrated, inclusionary learning community model allowed seniors to pursue individual interests while focusing on entrepreneurship, team building, critical thinking, problem-solving, and content standards in core academic areas.  Not only did the senior students embrace the learning community, the at-risk students achieved impressive success and demonstrated extraordinary changes in attitudes and behavior.

As a member of the Peak Learning Systems’ team of educational coaches, Becky is the co-facilitator in the PEAK summer institutes and regularly conducts workshops throughout the United States sharing expertise in current educational research and practice. She enjoys seeking new and innovative ways to teach all students and works to implement research-based instructional methods and strategies in the classroom to ensure student success.



Practitioner Associates and Coaches

PEAK Teacher and Administrator Practitioners accompany Spence and Becky in summer institutes and in workshops across the country to share how they have increased student achievement and learning in classrooms, schools, and districts. These practitioners share examples, strategies, and success in reaching Performance Excellence for All Kids.  Members of the practitioner team include:

Early Elementary and Upper Elementary Erika Burkhardt (MI) Kate Thurmond (AK) Rita Whitaker (MI) Social Studies Claudia Allen (NC) Chane Beam (FL) Beth Buchanan (AK) Brandt Robinson (FL) Tracie Russo (FL) Reading Specialist Laurie Strong (CO)

Mathematics Doug Benedict (NY) Cyndi Greenberg (FL) Julie Milder (MI) Spence Rogers Joanne Whitley (NC) Language Arts Becky Graf Rebecca Neville (WI) Science Renee Brice (NC) Linda Hanson (MI) Rita Vasquez (FL)

Arts Kerry Price (FL) Administration Steve Cousins (MI) Chris Reitan (AK) Harry White (AK)