Dr. Spencer Kagan

Executive Director
Dr. Spencer Kagan is an internationally acclaimed researcher, presenter, and author. He has published over 20 books which have now sold over 1 million copies. His books are translated into many languages. Dr. Kagan received his doctorate in clinical psychology from UCLA, was a clinical psychologist, and a full professor of psychology and education at the University of California. He has received two honorary doctorates. Dr. Kagan is the principal author of the single most comprehensive book for educators in each of six fields: cooperative learning, brain-friendly teaching, Social-Emotional Learning (SEL), multiple intelligences, classroom discipline, and classroom energizers. Dr. Kagan developed the structural approach to instruction based on hundreds of popular brain-based, cooperative learning, and multiple intelligences structures like Numbered Heads Together, Timed Pair Share, and Number Group Mania! Dr. Kagan is the founder and co-director of Kagan Publishing and Professional Development, one of the largest educational training companies in the world with franchises in over a dozen countries. Dr. Kagan has provided workshops and keynotes in over 40 countries. His hobby is photography; his photos are featured in galleries.

Download Dr. Kagan's Vita (pdf)

Excellent presentation! Dr. Kagan exemplifies what an effective instructor/teacher can do to make learning not only fun but enduring. – Jeweline Hill, Junior High School Assistant Principal

Fabulous! Dr. Kagan was engaging, funny and intelligent. He is one of the best public speakers I have ever had the pleasure to hear – Mary M Sullivan, High School Teacher

Superb! Great analytic abilities in addition to seeing the big picture in education. Strong theory-practice connections. Always learning, growing, and making it available to teachers. – Neil Davidson, Professor

Laurie Kagan

Executive Director
Laurie Kagan is in high demand as a presenter worldwide. Her presentations are dynamic events—participants discover the power of simple instructional strategies to use as part of any lesson. Laurie is the author of twelve popular books for teachers and trainers including Multiple Intelligences: Structures and Activities, Teambuilding, and Classbuilding. Her book, Dynamic Trainer, is the single most comprehensive trainer resource and is the basis for her much sought workshop: The Dynamic Trainer. Laurie has developed popular learning games and structures that are used around the globe. As the former Director of Elementary Education for the State of Nevada, Laurie is presently Director of Kagan Professional Development. She develops Kagan workshops and institutes and selects and trains all Kagan consultants. Laurie translates a deep understanding of theory and methods into practical, teacher-friendly strategies and presentations.

Laurie Kagan was superb! She was full of energy — a strong motivator! She displayed a sincere faith and belief in her content. She — hands down — is the best presenter I've heard. The information will be extremely helpful, as it is a fresh and exciting way to drive instruction. – Mary Dees, Secondary English Teacher

Laurie was very energetic and easy to listen to. Her desire to see students receive the best education, beyond just academic, was very evident. I hope to Brudery that enthusiasm back to my school! – Trina Michelle Maner, K-6 Music & Art teacher

Great motivational and charismatic speaker. She's been there, she cares and she knows what she's talking about! – Debbie Schuerer, 8th grade Language Arts teacher

Dr. Vern Minor

Director of Educational Leadership
Dr. Vern Minor served in the public school setting for 30 years before joining the Kagan team on a full time basis. During those three decades of work, he was employed in an administrative capacity for 23 years, having served at both the building and central levels. He spent 16 years as a superintendent of schools during which time he led K-12 implementation efforts of cooperative learning in two districts. As the current Director of Educational Leadership for Kagan, his duties include developing district leadership capacity, helping schools address systemic issues which impact teaching and learning, and assisting district leaders with implementation efforts. Dr. Minor brings two decades worth of leadership experience to the table as a background for helping educators as they strive to ensure that all students are successfully engaged in learning. Dr. Minor has conducted professional development on various reform issues, including the following: leadership, educational change, cooperative learning, cooperative meetings, peer coaching, new teacher induction, inclusion of special needs children, site based management, and the school improvement process.

BEST workshop I have been to in many years. Vern was outstanding! Lots of practical help in using the structures. The content was extremely relevant to what I need to do in my school. – Joanne Goodwin, Principal

Vern Minor is a dynamic trainer and professional. He has the ability to share himself on a number of levels, personal and professional. He has the experience needed to share from a teacher's, administrator's, and supervisor's point of view. – Sandra Dunbar, Principal

Tom Finegan

Director of Training and Curriculum
Tom “Fin” Finegan has been a Kagan consultant since 1996. After retiring from the Michigan Public School System after 31 years, he became a full time trainer for Kagan in the summer of 2019. He is currently the Director of Training and Curriculum for Kagan. He presents workshops for K–12 teachers and is an instructor for graduate level courses. Participants rate his presentations as being excellent, informative, organized, motivating, real, humorous, and exciting! Fin received a Bachelor of Science degree in general science and a Master’s degree in learning disabilities from Michigan State University. He regularly used Kagan Structures and materials in his middle school science and physical education classes which continues to provide him with many real-life management tips to share with workshop participants. He was also the Behavior Interventionist and Dean of Students at his school where the Win-Win Discipline philosophy was embedded to help students make better choices to meet their needs in a more appropriate manner. In addition, as a coach, he used Kagan Structures during middle school football, basketball, and track practices. As a Kagan consultant, Fin models and teaches other educators to create an environment in which all students are engaged in the learning process as well as in becoming better people by acquiring life skills.

Mr. Finegan was awesome! He is so knowledgeable in everything Kagan. I looked forward to every day and what we would learn. By far the best training I have ever had. Very professional. – Casey Fuqua, 2nd Grade Teacher

Wonderful instructor! I felt he truly lives and breathes everything he said! – Murray-Hayden, PreK-5th Grade Teacher

The best ever! I have attended hundreds of hours of Professional Development and this was worth every minute because of the content and the presenter! Dynamic! Knowledgeable! A teacher! Real! Energetic! Thank you so much - I am inspired! – Kelly McDevitt, 7th-8th Grade Teacher

Christi Brown

Director of Associate Trainer Programs
Christi Brown has been in education since 1994 and is a Certified International Kagan Trainer. She was Teacher of the Year for Berkley Elementary School, a Kagan Model School, in 2001. Christi received a Bachelor of Music, Master of Arts in Teaching, and Master Class Level of Orff Training from the University of Memphis, in Memphis, TN. She completed her Orff Apprenticeship at Eastman School of Music in Rochester, NY. As a certified K-12 Music Specialist, she co-authored two Kagan books: Cooperative Learning and Music, and Match Mine Music.

Christi has conducted trainings in Singapore, Malaysia, Germany, Canada, England, Spain, China, Mongolia, South Korea, the Netherlands, and all over the United States. She brings her boundless enthusiasm and practical Kagan teaching background into all of her dynamic trainings. In addition to trainings, Christi is currently the Director of Associate Trainer Programs. She is responsible for overseeing new trainer candidates, conducting boot camps, and managing the growing team of trainers.

Christi was fantastic. Her background in teaching allowed her to really identify with us and give us ideas to implement in the class. She was full of energy and good humor. The students in the classroom loved the activities and were delighted to have you! – Melissa Weber, 4th Grade Reading/Language Arts Teacher

Very helpful! Showed me how to better incorporate the Kagan ideas into my daily routine. The humor exhibited helped to make the time pass rapidly. I believe our staff leaves this workshop feeling a greater sense of community and mutual worth than when we arrived. – Melvin J. Wert, 1st Grade Teacher

Extremely usable! Christi was very energetic, positive and knowledgeable! Kept the pace to where everyone was able to learn, say, do! Love and agree with Kagan so much that I am interested in receiving more training in Florida and perhaps becoming a National Trainer. – Laura Duhon, University Reading & Curriculum Instructor